Shane Beamer sounds off on committee’s decision to keep South Carolina from playoff
Shane Beamer spent most of Tuesday like a political candidate doing some last-minute lobbying.
The South Carolina coach did podcasts and TV interviews and even an appearance on the “Paul Finebaum Show” — making the case that his 9-3 South Carolina team deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Beamer’s argument was convincing.
Yes, he said, Alabama and Ole Miss — two other 9-3 SEC teams — had head-to-head wins over South Carolina, but at some point the CFP committee has to determine who the 12 best teams are right now.
“I know head-to-head matters,” Beamer said to Finebaum. “But I also know what we’ve done since then should matter.”
Since its loss to Alabama, the Gamecocks are 6-0 with wins over currently ranked Missouri and Clemson as well as a victory over Texas A&M, which was No. 10 in the country at the time. They are, without a doubt, the hottest team in the SEC.
Yet, the CFP committee could not get over the head-to-head losses in the next-to-last bracket reveal Tuesday night. Just as they were before knocking off No. 12 Clemson, South Carolina (No. 14) was below No. 11 Alabama and No. 13 Ole Miss.
Because South Carolina, Alabama and Ole Miss are not playing in the SEC Championship, the committee said it will not reevaluate those teams’ standing. Meaning, there is no chance the Gamecocks will make the playoff.
During his signing day press conference on Wednesday, Beamer was still extremely frustrated with the committee’s decision.
“Last night about 7 p.m. was absolute shock and disappointment. I won’t lie: That feeling really hasn’t changed,” Beamer told reporters.
Beamer sounded completely baffled by the comments from CFP committee chair Warde Manuel, who went on ESPN after the show and said nothing can change South Carolina’s slot — not even if Clemson wins the ACC championship this weekend a week after losing to the Gamecocks — citing the phrase “data point” numerous times.
“If I hear the word ‘data point’ one more time in my life, I might throw up,” Beamer said Wednesday. “How you can sit there with a straight face and say the results this week don’t matter?
“I don’t know how you can go play Clemson last week in the biggest game in the history of the Carolina-Clemson rivalry, win a game over a team that’s ranked higher than you and move up one spot,” he said. “And another team can beat a team that’s not even going to a bowl game and move up two spots. ... A Clemson team that has the potential to be an ACC champion, having a loss on their home field to a team like us. That’s a pretty freaking strong data point, if you ask me.
“There area lot of data points that are out there. If their job is to truly pick the 12 best teams, to sit there and say we’re not in the top 12 ... There are some really competent people in that room that I know personally, but their decision on this is a head-scratcher.”
Beamer said he called a team meeting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and talked with his team about the disappointment of the rankings. But he also talked about the teams from 2023 season — like Florida State — who didn’t deal with the disappointment in a positive way and got smashed in its bowl game.
While Beamer said no player has spoken to him about opting out of the bowl game, he noted some could. As a whole, though, Beamer noted how hungry South Carolina’s players are to prove people they deserved to be in the playoff.
“The players on this team are extremely motivated to get a 10th win,” Beamer said.
Asked whether or not the committee’s decision might affect future scheduling, Beamer said it’s something all college coaches will have to consider.
“Clearly you can go through an entire season and not beat a ranked team and be in the playoff if you just win,” he said. “I’m a competitor and I love playing in those games. I’m looking forward to playing Virginia Tech in Atlanta next season, but the committee made it very clear that they really don’t give a hoot who you beat. Just don’t lose three times and you’re in, even if it means you never beat a ranked opponent. Not one. Just win the games on your schedule and you’re in.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 3:48 PM.
