Welcome to Glass Slipper! I need three more Ben Shelton victories; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

I recently unveiled the 13 college football teams that have a chance of winning the national title. It’s time we break down each of those squads. We’ll start at No. 13, with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Offense

Look, I’m not an optometrist. Perhaps it was all a coincidence, or simply the natural result of a young quarterback’s development. But LaNorris Sellers yanked off those signature Rec Specs last season, and morphed from a highly-flawed project into the SEC Freshman of the Year.

Once he adjusted to life without the bulky goggles, those alarming struggles with spotting pressure were cured; Sellers had a few extra beats on every dropback to dart away from defenders and avoid strip-sacks. Even though LaNorris claims that the transition to contact lenses didn’t necessarily improve his vision, I guarantee you that he won’t be switching back anytime soon.

This passing attack desperately needs a No. 1 option. Nobody stepped forward after Xavier Legette’s departure, and that cannot happen again this fall. Former five-star Nyck Harbor - and that 99 speed - is a legend in gaming circles, yet hasn’t found the real-life breakout formula. Mazeo Bennett Jr. showed some encouraging flashes as a true freshman. South Carolina is a top-30 offense nationally if either of those guys leaps into stardom.

The protection group does concern me a bit. Trying to replace the entire interior of an offensive line is tough, and Gamecocks fans should be ready to withstand some growing pains. Having question marks up front is not ideal when your starting running back is transferring in from a Group of Five program. Rahsul Faison has spent six years playing JUCO and Mountain West football, and now he’ll be dealing with SEC defensive tackles rifling into the backfield. Things might be disjointed early.

Defense

Dylan Stewart is 19. He’s also significantly better at this sport than Shemar Stewart, who was the 17th pick in April’s draft. That’s a pretty terrifying duo of statements, if you ask me.

His refreshed supporting cast is plenty capable. Bryan Thomas Jr. has earned the other edge spot after impressing as a reserve, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy was a key member of that monster 2022 Texas A&M recruiting class. It’s not a crew that will get tossed around at the line of scrimmage too often.

Even without the wildly-entertaining Nick Emmanwori, this secondary remains solid. Jalon Kilgore is awesome; because of his versatility, I think he starts on every single defense in America. DQ Smith could have a future on Sundays, as well. Only seven schools averaged more takeaways per game than South Carolina a season ago, and defensive coordinator Clayton White needs to center each practice around replicating the success on that front. Put your dudes in front of the JUGS machine. Run fumble-recovery drills until the cows come home. When you create a turnover, the ball goes back into Sellers’ hands. There’s your path to victory.

Season Outlook

Pre-Bowl Record Prediction: 9-3

Selection Sunday Fan Mood: Oh, you’re going to leave us out? I’m sorry, did you see our last seven opponents? I’d like to see one of the so-called powerhouses win five of those games. What a joke. Let’s expand this playoff to 16 already.

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“Anklebiters” by Paramore. Criminally underrated.