The first play of the 2013 NCAA football season is another 7 months away, but that doesn't stop Sports Illustrated from putting out their Way-Too-Early Top 25 list for the upcoming season.
Luckily, the state of South Carolina is well-represented on the 2013 hype train. The list, compiled by writer Andy Staples, has both the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers cracking the top 10.
The Gamecocks come first with a No. 8 ranking on Staples' list. Staples mentions standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney in the first three sentences of his write through, saying there will be a "trail of NFL scouts lined up to watch" Clowney.
Staples also calls quarterbacks Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson "capable" and the offensive line "experienced". However, he says the o-line "must get better this offseason to keep Shaw and Thompson healthy enough to last through the SEC schedule."
South Carolina opens the season against the North Carolina Tarheels on Aug. 31.
The Tigers are a bit further down the list at No. 10 with Staples calling Clemson the favorite of the ACC because of the return of senior quarterback Tajh Boyd.
While Nuke Hopkins and Andre Ellington will be gone from the team this season, Staples says he expects junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins to "reclaim the magic" from his freshman season.
Clemson will get a fast start to the season this year with the Georgia Bulldogs coming to town on opening day Aug. 31. Staples says that's also a reason the Tigers might be a bit too highly rated on his list.
"It's Clemson with a preseason top-10 ranking," said Staples. "What could possibly go wrong?"
As for the top two teams in the nation, it should be no surprise that Alabama comes in at No. 1, but perhaps the more surprising choice at No. 2 is Texas A&M.
Thursday, April 25 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-04-25 11:03:18 GMT
(RNN) - Big guys are likely to be the stars of the show Thursday night when the NFL Draft again airs in primetime on ESPN, live from Radio City Music Hall. Barring unforeseen weirdness - which can never
The NFL Draft with all its drama and uncertainty airs live in prime time Thursday night. Luke Joeckel, Manti Te'o, SEC stars and borderline quarterbacks are among this year's mysteries.
Thursday, April 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-04-19 00:52:03 GMT
(RNN) - Spring practice in the SEC climaxes Saturday when five more teams hold their annual spring scrimmages. Interesting fact: So far the biggest attendance at a spring game this season was at Kentucky
New coaches at Tennessee, Auburn and Arkansas will give us the first glimpse of their teams in Saturday's SEC spring games. Two-time defending national champion Alabama and Mississippi State also give fans a break from the long college football offseason.
Thursday, April 11 2013 7:00 AM EDT2013-04-11 11:00:16 GMT
Many Southeastern Conference football fans will finally get a look at their favorite teams this Saturday, April 13, and several of the annual spring games will be broadcast on TV and on the Web.Texas A&M
Southeastern Conference fans are beginning to stir as South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky all hold their annual spring football games on Saturday, April 13.
Monday, January 7 2013 6:00 AM EST2013-01-07 11:00:08 GMT
Miami (RNN) - Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said the team that makes the most mistakes may well win tonight. Not a misprint.He explained that odd statement Sunday at the final news conference before the
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said the team that makes the most mistakes may win tonight. He meant the team that takes the most chances, forces the action and sets the pace. Teams that do that make mistakes. But they cause the other guys to make mistakes, too.
Sunday, January 6 2013 11:52 AM EST2013-01-06 16:52:47 GMT
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly shook hands Sunday morning in front of the Coaches' Trophy, the prize their two teams want to take home Monday night.
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly shook hands Sunday morning in front of the Coaches' Trophy, the prize their two teams want to take home Monday night.
Friday, December 7 2012 8:37 AM EST2012-12-07 13:37:38 GMT
(RNN) - Butch Jones has been hired as the next head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, according to ESPN. Jones has resigned from his position as Cincinnati's head coach, effective immediately,
Butch Jones has been hired as the next head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, according to ESPN.
Thursday, November 29 2012 12:54 PM EST2012-11-29 17:54:22 GMT
Offensively, Alabama and Georgia both feature efficient if not flashy quarterbacks, steady if not high-profile receivers and a pair of running backs anyone would love to have. The breakdown: Quarterback: Georgia
Alabama and Georgia both feature efficient if not flashy quarterbacks, steady if not high-profile receivers and a pair of running backs anyone would love to have. Georgia's defense has more stars; Alabama's defense has performed better as a unit.
Monday, November 26 2012 6:15 PM EST2012-11-26 23:15:13 GMT
It is never too early to project where those teams will play, who they will play and, for good measure, the result.
The chaos of the scramble to play in the BCS Championship Game has come down to one possibility - the winner of Bama-Georgia plays Notre Dame. But how the rest of the bowl pairings might shake out is another interesting puzzle. Here are our projections.
Wednesday, November 21 2012 7:09 PM EST2012-11-22 00:09:55 GMT
It's rivalry week and some of these are really good, some have somber implications as we prepare to bid au revoir to future former coaches and others are meh.
The Egg Bowl offers much drama this year; South Carolina shoots for four straight against Clemson; Florida-Florida State has national title implications.
Thursday, November 15 2012 4:55 PM EST2012-11-15 21:55:31 GMT
(RNN) - This is mostly a week of throwaway games as SEC teams prep for next week, which features turkey, dressing and a lot of rivalry games.But a bad November Saturday in SEC Country watching ball is
Can Johnny Football gain 1 billion yards? Can Alabama score 1 billion points? And can Vanderbilt beat Tennessee for only the second time in 1 billion years? Tune in this week and find out.
