Gamecocks Open Season Ranked Ninth in Coaches' Poll

July 31, 2014

The University of South Carolina football team begins the 2014 season ranked ninth the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released by USA Today.

The Gamecocks, coming off their third-straight 11-2 campaign, received 1,009 points, including one first-place vote. Defending national champion Florida State was an overwhelming pick to repeat as national champions, collecting 56 of the 62 first place votes and 1,543 points overall. Alabama (1,455), Oklahoma (1,382), Oregon (1,314) and Auburn (1,271) round out the top five. Ohio State (1,267), UCLA (1,085) and Michigan State (1,050) begin the second five, just ahead of South Carolina. Baylor (965) rounds out the top 10. In addition to Florida State and South Carolina, Oklahoma (3), Oregon (1) and Ohio State (1) received first-place votes.

The Gamecocks finished fourth in both the Associated Press and Coaches’ poll last season, their highest postseason ranking in school history.

The Gamecocks will officially report for fall camp today with the first practice scheduled for Friday, August 1, at the Bluff Road practice fields, beginning at 7:15 p.m. It is open to the public.

RANK/TEAM RECORD POINTS 1st-PLACE VOTES

1. Florida State 14-0 1543 56

2. Alabama 11-2 1455 0

3. Oklahoma 11-2 1382 3

4. Oregon 11-2 1314 1

5. Auburn 12-2 1271 0

6. Ohio State 12-2 1267 1

7. UCLA 10-3 1085 0

8. Michigan State 13-1 1050 0

9. South Carolina 11-2 1009 1

10. Baylor 11-2 965 0

11. Stanford 11-3 955 0

12. Georgia 8-5 905 0

13. LSU 10-3 833 0

14. Wisconsin 9-4 654 0

15. Southern Cal 10-4 627 0

16. Clemson 11-2 535 0

17. Notre Dame 9-4 509 0

18. Arizona State 10-4 358 0

19. Mississippi 8-5 346 0

20. Texas A&M 9-4 266 0

21. Kansas State 8-5 257 0

22. Nebraska 9-4 228 0

23. North Carolina 7-6 175 0

24. Texas 8-5 143 0

25. Washington 9-4 142 0