The argument that BYU and Utah are undervalued by the College Football Playoff Committee often centers on a deep-seated institutional and brand bias that favors traditional powerhouses. Despite both teams—especially after joining the new P4 conference—amassing solid resumes, the committee’s ranking logic appears inconsistent when compared to peer teams from the SEC or Big Ten. For BYU, the undervaluation is evident even in their best years. When the Cougars were undefeated, they were often ranked below one-loss teams from the perceived “elite” conferences, suggesting a penalty for a lack of "brand credibility" rather than on-field performance. After their first loss, the drop in rankings is often precipitous, falling behind two-loss teams like Texas or Oklahoma, who benefit from the narrative of “quality losses.” This differential treatment suggests the committee rewards the mere potential or reputation of established programs more than the actual, tangible Strength of Record (SOR) earned by BYU. Utah’s case highlights the harsh grading curve applied to Big 12 losses. As a consistently tough, defensive-minded program, their two losses this season came against other highly-ranked Big 12 teams (BYU and Texas Tech). Yet, their ranking near No. 13 keeps them just outside the contention tier, a placement often occupied by two-loss teams from other conferences that have a perceived higher overall floor. The Utes' methodical style, coupled with the committee's tendency to devalue close wins or reward teams for "style points," means Utah is held to a higher standard of dominance to secure an elite ranking. Ultimately, both Utah and BYU are fighting not just opponents on the field, but a long-standing culture that rewards historical brand over current results and strength metrics within a less historically favored conference.

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🎙️ Shane Beamer’s latest comments have Gamecock Nation buzzing — and not in a good way. In this episode, we react to Beamer’s defensive response to critics questioning his track record with coordinator hires. The South Carolina head coach said, “I push back on the narrative that I haven’t gotten these coordinator hires right.” He went on to defend Marcus Satterfield, calling him a “college guy” who helped USC win 7 games in 2023 and “hung 63 on Tennessee,” adding that Satterfield “didn’t get fired.” 😳 We break down why those comments may rub the South Carolina fanbase the wrong way, especially after another disappointing offensive season under Dowell Loggains and the looming search for yet another coordinator. 💬 Topics in this episode: Why Beamer’s defense of Satterfield hits a nerve with fans The disconnect between the program’s performance and Beamer’s messaging What this says about South Carolina’s direction heading into 2026 How this affects Beamer’s credibility during the next OC hire 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — is Beamer justified, or out of touch? #Gamecocks #ShaneBeamer #MarcusSatterfield #SouthCarolinaFootball #SpursUp #SECFootball #CollegeFootball #GamecocksPodcast #BeamerBall #USC #GarnetAndBlack #DowellLoggains Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOGamecocks?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on social media Twitter/X: @verndumbquist Twitter/X: @LockedOnSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091552218542

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What. A. Win. 🔥 The South Carolina Gamecocks pulled off an incredible come-from-behind victory over Southern Miss, thanks to Meechie Johnson’s clutch heroics down the stretch 💪🏽 Johnson delivered in every big moment — knocking down huge shots, leading the rally, and reminding fans why he’s one of the most electric guards in the SEC. 3 Things I Want to See in the Final 3 Football Games 👇 1️⃣ Finish the 4th Quarter Strong — no more late-game collapses; time to close out opponents like a veteran team. 2️⃣ LaNorris Sellers Playing Loose & Free — let the kid make plays and show off that dual-threat confidence we saw early in the season. 3️⃣ More Snaps for the Freshman Receivers — it’s time to see the future; give these young playmakers real game reps. 🎙️ Tune in for full analysis, player breakdowns, and what this stretch means for Shane Beamer’s program moving forward! #Gamecocks #SouthCarolina #MeechieJohnson #GoCocks #GamecockBasketball #GamecockFootball #SEC #LaNorrisSellers #ShaneBeamer #USC #CollegeBasketball #CollegeFootball Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOGamecocks?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on social media Twitter/X: @vernfunquist Twitter/X: @LockedOnSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091552218542

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