South Carolina and Clemson will each begin seasons of great expectation in the top 25.

It was expected that each would, and the release of the USA Today/Coaches' Top 25 a week ago confirmed it. The Associated Press Top 25, which The Post and Courier references, usually mirrors the coaches' poll and did upon its release Aug. 11.

The Tigers are ranked fourth. The Gamecocks are 13th. Clemson was sixth in the coaches' poll while USC was 13th.

It's the first preseason ranking for the Gamecocks since 2014. USC fans are hoping this year doesn't resemble that season.

USC began that year with a home matchup against Texas A&M, which was ranked 21st. The Gamecocks were ninth.

The Aggies blistered the Gamecocks 52-28. USC stayed in the rankings the next four weeks, rising to No. 13 after three

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