Paul Finebaum strongly disagrees with South Carolina HC Shane Beamer’s stance on an automatic College Football Playoff bid.

Live from the college football scene, South Carolina’s head coach Shane Beamer has sparked quite the debate. Beamer recently proposed that conferences should receive automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, a suggestion that has certainly caught the attention of the college football world.

However, SEC analyst Paul Finebaum wasted no time in criticizing Beamer’s idea, calling it “completely wrong.” Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Finebaum explained, “I understand the seating issue, but I believe they are completely wrong about guaranteeing bids. There’s something inherently wrong about stacking the deck before the season.”

According to Finebaum, the SEC and the Big Ten stand as the two dominant conferences, but offering automatic bids could result in undeserving teams making it to the playoff. “Last year, the SEC only got three, and there were three schools hanging on the ledge,” he pointed out. “You could have a year, especially more in the Big Ten than in the SEC, where you have two or three elite teams. Then your automatic third or maybe fourth could be an 8-4 team that probably doesn’t belong in there. So I think it’s a bad move right now.”

Critics of Beamer’s plan, for the most part, are concerned that automatic bids would allow undeserving teams into the Playoff simply because of their conference affiliation. While South Carolina may not be able to control the strength of other conferences, Coach Beamer knows the Gamecocks must deliver a strong season themselves, especially after being overlooked for the 2024 College Football Playoff.

There are those who believe automatic bids could help bring stability to the currently chaotic College Football Playoff structure, but that’s still an uncertain prospect—an “only-if” for the time being.

For now, what truly matters are the results, particularly the wins from top conferences like the SEC and Big Ten. The outcome of South Carolina’s 2025 season will be key in determining if they’ll even be part of this larger conversation. Stay tuned.

More news….

“I’m a big fan of the Gamecocks”: RB Jayrean Campbell discusses his interest in South Carolina

Jayreon Campbell, a 2026 running back from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, has recently expressed strong interest in the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Campbell has garnered attention from several prominent programs, including Ole Miss, Georgia, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama, and Texas A&M. Notably, he holds an offer from South Carolina, reflecting the Gamecocks’ interest in his talents.

Campbell’s recruitment is highly competitive, with multiple schools vying for his commitment. His recent official visit to North Carolina has intensified the race, making it a closely contested battle between the Tar Heels and the Gamecocks. His father mentioned that Campbell is still evaluating his options, indicating that a decision has not yet been made.

The Gamecocks’ coaching staff, including running backs coach Montario Hardesty, is actively involved in Campbell’s recruitment. Their efforts to engage with Campbell underscore their commitment to strengthening the running back position for the upcoming seasons.

As Campbell continues to explore his options, the University of South Carolina remains a strong contender in his recruitment process. The outcome of his decision will be closely watched by fans and analysts, as it has the potential to significantly impact the Gamecocks’ future offensive strategies.