Rivalry games always carry weight. If they go the wrong way, they can spoil the tone of a season. Even if both teams aren’t having good seasons (or if one is), there’s a finality in knocking off an in-state rival.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is not in panic mode, even if some of her famous “Fams” are following the Gamecocks' first loss in two seasons. Sure, South Carolina has only lost twice in its past 87 games.

Shane Beamer wants to play in the College Football Playoff, but he's not pushing the issue -- yet. As playoff dreams floated in players' minds, the South Carolina coach stepped in front of his team for the first time this week on Tuesday morning,