Power ranking the SEC after rivalry week: 12 - South Carolina
The only team that can challenge Florida for the most disappointing season this year is the South Carolina Gamecocks. Just like UF, South Carolina began the year in the top 15 in the AP Poll, and just like Florida, they wilted against an extremely tough schedule.
Carolina played five straight ranked teams this season, with four of those being playoff teams— Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. That's not even to mention the Vanderbilt game earlier in the year!
Finishing at 4-8 is something that absolutely no Carolina fan was anticipating coming into the year, of course. And yet, that's just where they find themselves. Demurring from joining an extremely crowded coaching carousel is very understandable, but Shane Beamer will enter next year with a very hot seat.
They'll have a bit of a relief next season with some winnable conference games against Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. Florida and Tennessee will be tough, but also games that they can take— as will a game at Clemson, but the Gamecocks have won two straight in the upstate. Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama will be tough, but they get two of those three at home.