ChatGPT Foresees Gamecocks Historic Playoff Run

AI Predicts Unprecedented Success for South Carolina Football

Following up on an exciting initial simulation, ChatGPT has continued to chart a dream season for South Carolina football. The AI's projection previously had the Gamecocks finishing the 2025 regular season with an impressive 10-2 record, including a coveted home victory over rivals Clemson. As many fans speculated, this strong performance indeed secured the LaNorris Sellers-led team their first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, even granting them a home game at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Let's see how the AI envisioned the rest of this remarkable journey unfolds.

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Final CFP Rankings According to ChatGPT

The simulation placed South Carolina at #8 in the final CFP rankings:

1. Michigan (Big Ten champ, 13-0)
2. Georgia (SEC champ, 12-1)
3. Florida State (ACC champ, 12-1)
4. Utah (Big 12 champ, 11-2)
5. Boise State (Mountain West champ, 12-1)
6. Ohio State (11-1)
7. Oregon (11-2)
8. South Carolina (10-2)
9. Alabama (10-3)
10. Penn State (10-2)
11. Notre Dame (10-2)
12. Ole Miss (9-3)

The Gamecocks' Playoff Journey

First Round Showdown: #8 South Carolina vs. #9 Alabama

Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC

Final Score: South Carolina 34, Alabama 28

Game Recap: History was made at Williams-Brice Stadium as it hosted its first-ever College Football Playoff game. The atmosphere was electric, though both teams showed early nerves with missed field goals. Rahsul Faison broke the ice for the Gamecocks, capping an 11-play, 73-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown. Alabama quickly answered, tying the game 7-7. Just before halftime, quarterback LaNorris Sellers found Malik Clark for a 38-yard touchdown, sending South Carolina into the locker room with a 17-14 lead.

The third quarter saw South Carolina's offensive line and Faison dominate. They controlled the game's tempo, with Faison consistently gaining yardage and Oscar Adaway grinding out tough runs. Sellers extended the lead to 24-14 with a 9-yard option keeper.

Alabama mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 67-yard catch-and-run and then taking a 28-27 lead mid-quarter with a well-executed screen pass. However, South Carolina responded with a season-defining drive. Sellers connected with Brian Rowe for three crucial third-down conversions, and Faison sealed the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:44 remaining. The Gamecock defense held strong, with Dylan Stewart securing the win with a timely sack on Alabama's final possession, causing Williams-Brice to erupt in celebration as South Carolina advanced.

Coach Shane Beamer's Thoughts: "That’s just who these guys are—tough, relentless, and never rattled. We knew Alabama would be a four-quarter fight. Every time they punched, we punched right back. I couldn’t be prouder of LaNorris, Rahsul, and every player who stepped up. Williams-Brice was electric tonight. We just made history, but we aren’t done yet."

LaNorris Sellers on the Win: "We’ve been dreaming about this moment all year. Coach told us to believe, and we kept fighting, no matter what the scoreboard said. The O-line was amazing, Rahsul did his thing, and those freshman receivers keep making big-time plays. Playing in front of this crowd, with a chance to keep shaping our legacy, it means everything."

Key Game Statistics:

• Sellers: 256 passing yards, 2 TD (1 Rushing TD, 1 Passing TD)
• Faison: 132 rushing yards, 2 TD
• Clark: 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
• Defense: 3 sacks, game-sealing 4th down stop

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Quarterfinal Clash: #1 Michigan vs. #8 South Carolina

Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Final Score: Michigan 24, South Carolina 21

Game Recap: Playing under the Rose Bowl lights, South Carolina proved they belonged, engaging in a physical, old-school battle with Michigan. The Wolverines struck first, capitalizing on a fumble to score. Sellers and the Gamecocks responded, tying the game by the start of the second quarter with strikes to Harbor and Rowe.

Michigan's running game began to wear down the Carolina defense in the second half. However, a key third-down sack by Stewart and Judge Collier held Michigan to a field goal. South Carolina then took a 14-13 lead late in the third quarter, thanks to a touchdown by Malik Clark and a successful two-point conversion.

In the fourth quarter, Michigan stalled in the red zone, settling for another field goal. After South Carolina's offense couldn't convert, the Wolverines engineered a long, clock-consuming drive, scoring on a fourth-and-goal QB sneak to go up 24-14 with 2:11 left. Sellers led a quick no-huddle drive, connecting with Harbor and Clark before Faison punched in a 6-yard touchdown. The subsequent onside kick attempt by South Carolina was recovered by Michigan, who ran out the clock, ending the Gamecocks' historic playoff run.

Coach Shane Beamer Post-Game: "First off, hats off to Michigan—heck of a football team and program. But let me tell you, our team showed the world what Carolina football is about. We battled, we responded to adversity, and we kept coming. This loss hurts, but that locker room is the future of this program. We’ll learn from this and be back—and everyone in the country saw our fight tonight."

LaNorris Sellers Reflects: "It stings, no doubt. We all left it out there; that’s all you can ask for. Michigan played a great game, but so did we. I’m proud of this team—proud of the seniors, proud of the freshmen, proud of the effort. Coach always tells us to dream big, and we did. We’ll carry this into next year, because this is just the start for South Carolina football."

Key Game Statistics:

• Sellers: 219 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Faison: 87 rushing yards, 1 TD
• Harbor: 6 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD
• Stewart: 2 sacks

Season Awards and Honors

The simulated season brought numerous accolades:

• LaNorris Sellers: All-SEC First Team, Davey O’Brien Award Finalist, Manning Award Finalist
• Rahsul Faison: All-SEC First Team, Doak Walker Award Semifinalist, SEC Newcomer of the Year
• Nyck Harbor: All-SEC First Team, Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist
• Dylan Stewart: All-SEC First Team, Bednarik Award Finalist, SEC Defensive Player of the Year Finalist
• Malik Clark: SEC All-Freshman Team, Freshman All-American
• Shane Beamer: SEC Coach of the Year, Dodd Trophy Finalist

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Narrative of a Historic Season

The 2025 Gamecocks, as simulated by ChatGPT, exceeded all expectations, fielding their most complete team in recent memory. The offense emerged as one of the SEC’s most balanced, driven by Sellers' maturation into an elite dual-threat quarterback, Faison's workhorse performance at running back, and a dynamic receiving group led by Harbor and standout freshman Clark.

The defense proved formidable against high-powered offenses, with Stewart solidifying his reputation as a premier national pass rusher. The team's only regular-season defeats were narrow losses to LSU and Alabama.

South Carolina’s playoff appearance, highlighted by a thrilling home victory over Alabama in the first round, invigorated the fanbase and positioned the program as a genuine SEC contender. While the close quarterfinal loss to Michigan was disappointing, it demonstrated the Gamecocks' ability to compete at the highest level.

With a majority of key players projected to return in 2026, South Carolina is envisioned to enter the next offseason as a consensus preseason top-5 team and a legitimate contender for the national championship.

Complete Simulated Playoff Bracket

Final Rankings Recap:

1. Michigan (Big Ten champ, 13-0)
2. Georgia (SEC champ, 12-1)
3. Florida State (ACC champ, 12-1)
4. Utah (Big 12 champ, 11-2)
5. Boise State (Mountain West champ, 12-1)
6. Ohio State (11-1)
7. Oregon (11-2)
8. South Carolina (10-2)
9. Alabama (10-3)
10. Penn State (10-2)
11. Notre Dame (10-2)
12. Ole Miss (9-3)

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Simulated First Round Results (on campus, higher seed hosts):

• (5) Boise State vs. (12) Ole Miss Result: Ole Miss 31, Boise State 28 Ole Miss’s passing attack rallies late to stun the Broncos on the blue turf.
• (6) Ohio State vs. (11) Notre Dame Result: Ohio State 30, Notre Dame 17 Veteran QB leads Buckeyes to steady win at home.
• (7) Oregon vs. (10) Penn State Result: Oregon 28, Penn State 24 Back-and-forth battle in Eugene, sealed by a Ducks’ defensive stand.
• (8) South Carolina vs. (9) Alabama Result: South Carolina 34, Alabama 28 Gamecocks win a thriller in Columbia; Faison and Sellers star again.

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Simulated Quarterfinals Results (NY6 Bowls, neutral sites):

• (1) Michigan vs. (8) South Carolina (Rose Bowl) Result: Michigan 24, South Carolina 21 Wolverines rally late to escape a Gamecock upset bid.
• (2) Georgia vs. (7) Oregon (Peach Bowl) Result: Georgia 31, Oregon 27 Bulldogs hold off a late Oregon drive.
• (3) Florida State vs. (12) Ole Miss (Orange Bowl) Result: Florida State 38, Ole Miss 35 FSU outlasts a wild, high-scoring affair.
• (4) Utah vs. (6) Ohio State (Fiesta Bowl) Result: Ohio State 27, Utah 20 Buckeyes make critical stops in the second half.

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Simulated Semifinals Results

• (1) Michigan vs. (6) Ohio State (Sugar Bowl) Result: Michigan 28, Ohio State 21 Another classic edition of The Game, this time with Michigan advancing late.
• (2) Georgia vs. (3) Florida State (Cotton Bowl) Result: Georgia 35, Florida State 28 Explosive offenses duel; Georgia breaks through against FSU’s tough defense.

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Simulated National Championship Result

(1) Michigan vs. (2) Georgia Result: Georgia 28, Michigan 23 Bulldogs capture the title, outlasting Michigan with a late defensive stand.

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