South-Carolina

CFP bracket bubble watch: As Alabama, South Carolina try to inch in, how to view Buckeyes?

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1 year ago

December 1, 2024

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CFP bracket bubble watch: As Alabama, South Carolina try to inch in, how to view Buckeyes?

Did South Carolina do enough in win over Clemson to win over CFP selection committee? Maybe, if they forget about losses to Alabama and Ole Miss.
Miami’s loss kept Clemson alive and threw open the door to discussion about a three-loss SEC team entering the field.
Ryan Day’s latest loss to Michigan cast a pall over Ohio State, but maybe a ray of hope still exists.

Let’s play a game of yes, no, maybe so.

In this little exercise, we’ll assess teams’ playoff stock.

Technically, no bids have been awarded, but we don’t need a committee to tell us No. 1 Oregon has earned a spot regardless of what happens in the Big Ten championship game.

The Ducks are more exception than rule, though, by avoiding pitfalls that other contenders kept getting sucked into.

I won’t tell you everyone on this list has earned a playoff spot, in the conventional sense, but playoff expansion combined with a wacky season full of upsets forces us to rewire what a playoff team looks like.

Yes, these teams are playoff bound

Oregon: The only question for the Ducks is whether they’ll be seeded No. 1 or No. 5. A game against Penn State will determine that.

Notre Dame: The Irish used their conference independence to perfection. They took advantage of their soft schedule and will rolll into the playoff red hot after recovering from a Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. While other playoff teams beat up on each other in conference championship games, Notre Dame enjoys weekend off before a home playoff game.

Texas: Pair Texas winning the SEC with Penn State capturing the Big Ten, and you’d probably get the Longhorns snagging the No. 1 seed. Lose the SEC to Georgia, and the Longhorns would remain a strong candidate to host a first-round playoff game.

Tennessee: Beating Vanderbilt secured a spot for the Vols, and now the only question is whether they’ll be seeded high enough to play a first-round game at home (where they’re quite good) or the road (where they’re vulnerable).

Penn State: Ohio State’s dud against Michigan forced Penn State into the Big Ten championship game, where the Nittany Lions will risk their seed, but not their bid.

Georgia: The Bulldogs nearly lost to Georgia Tech. If they had, this game against Texas would have had the power to eliminate Georgia. As it is, the Bulldogs are safe, regardless of outcome. Uncomfortable with a three-loss SEC runner-up in the playoff? Then shrink the playoff.

Ohio State: It takes a true victim of the moment to think the Buckeyes jeopardized their bid by losing to Michigan, but they damaged their seeding. They’ll probably hover around the No. 8 or No. 9 seed line, which is the difference between hosting in Round 1 versus going on the road.

Indiana: The Hoosiers’ blowout win of Purdue, combined by losses from Miami and Clemson, solidified Indiana’s playoff footing. The No. 10 seed projects as the likeliest landing spot.

Maybe, they’ll be in the CFP bracket

SMU: The committee has been slow to recognize the Mustangs, winners of nine straight, but they can zoom to the No. 3 seed by winning the ACC crown. They still might qualify if they lose to Clemson, but that could depend on how the loss presents. SMU’s best win came against Louisville, casting a bit of doubt on its at-large résumé.

Clemson: The Tigers lost to South Carolina but managed to keep their playoff hopes afloat thanks to Miami’s loss to Syracuse that elevated Clemson into the ACC title game. A loss to SMU would eliminate Clemson. A win would unlock a bid, but likely not a bye.

Arizona State: Win the Big 12 championship, and the Sun Devils are in the playoff and vying for a bye. Lose the Big 12 championship, and it’s off to an also-ran bowl, despite an impressive turnaround season.

Iowa State: See above description for Arizona State. The same applies to the Cyclones.

Boise State: The stakes for Boise State couldn’t be higher. Beating UNLV would not only button up a playoff spot, it would thrust the Broncos into conversation for a bye, while a loss quite likely eliminates them.

UNLV: Upset the Broncos, and UNLV probably heads to the 12-seed. Lose, and that’s that.

Miami: Miami’s utter lack of a defense caught up with it in a loss to Syracuse. With a résumé pinned to victories over Louisville and Duke and losses in two of its last three games, Miami perhaps threw away its playoff bid. That probably depends on how the committee views a 10-2 ACC team compared to a three-loss SEC team.

South Carolina: Unranked in the initial CFP rankings, the Gamecocks stormed to the finish line with a lights-out defense and an improving freshman quarterback, LaNorris Sellers. Beating Clemson gave South Carolina more momentum than either Alabama or Ole Miss, but a bid for the Gamecocks would require the committee to overlook losses to Alabama and Ole Miss.

Alabama: Hard to imagine a three-loss team that lost to Vanderbilt and got trounced by Oklahoma would remain in the mix, but here we are. If strength of schedule and brand bias tip the scales, then Alabama will snag that final spot. Wins against Georgia and South Carolina bedrock Alabama’s case.

Ole Miss: The Rebels’ case nearly parallels that of Alabama: Wins against Georgia and Ole Miss are mixed around perplexing losses. The trouble is, the committee valued Alabama ahead of Ole Miss last week, so the Tide seem to have Ole Miss blocked.

No, they’re not making the playoff

Everybody else: The 18 teams listed above account for the remaining playoff contenders. If Tulane hadn’t lost to Memphis on Thursday, you could have made an argument for two Group of Five qualifiers if three-loss Clemson won the ACC, but that avenue closed with Tulane losing on Thanksgiving.

Some closing thoughts in this “Topp Rope” view of college football:

1. The clouds haven’t parted yet in Columbus, Ohio, but if the Buckeyes desire a ray of hope, here’s one: Two years ago, Michigan clubbed Ohio State at the Horseshoe. The next we saw of the Buckeyes, they were a field goal away from upsetting Georgia in the CFP semifinals.

Point being, Ryan Day wilts against Michigan, but he’s pretty good against most everyone else. Of course, that 2022 Michigan team I’m referencing was much better than the squad that beat the Buckeyes on Saturday. Still, there’s only one team in this field that beat OSU, and that loss came by a single point. The Buckeyes are down, but not out.

2. I predict the top 12 of Tuesday’s CFP rankings: 1. Oregon, 2. Texas, 3. Penn State, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Georgia, 6. Ohio State, 7. Tennessee, 8. SMU, 9. Indiana, 10. Boise State, 11. Alabama, 12. South Carolina, 13. Arizona State. First team out: South Carolina, because the Big 12 would claim an auto bid.

3. My latest “Topp Rope” playoff projection: Oregon (Big Ten), Texas (SEC), SMU (ACC), Arizona State (Big 12), Boise State (Group of Five), plus at-large selections Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama. Next up: South Carolina.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. The “Topp Rope” is his football column published throughout the USA TODAY Network. Subscribe to read all of his columns.

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South-Carolina

House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — The House ethics committee announced Monday it is investigating Representative Nancy Mace, the South Carolina Republican, for potentially improper reimbursement.

Mace may have sought and received reimbursements for Washington property expenses that were greater than the costs she actually incurred. The congresswoman has taken issue with the reliability of the committee’s evidence, however.

The committee began its investigation following a December referral from the House Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), an independent body that reviews allegations of misconduct. The OCC recommended that the committee investigate Mace’s reimbursement activity since there is “substantial” reason to believe she acted unethically – potentially in violation of House rules, standards of conduct and federal law.

Bills and statements from early 2023 to mid-2024 show that Mace overbilled the House for over $9,000 during that period, the OCC said. She allegedly requested the maximum reimbursement each month, at times receiving over a thousand dollars more than what she was entitled to, although the details of her finances are murky. Mace owned the property with her fiancé, who may have helped pay for it, according to the OCC.

“Based on the information available to the OCC, it appears Rep. Mace was reimbursed amounts exceeding the actual costs incurred for the DC Property during several months in 2023 and 2024,” the office said in its report.

“Further, if Rep. Mace did not pay for 100% of expenses related to the DC property – a determination the OCC could neither reach nor reject due to the Congresswoman’s lack of cooperation – this would increase the disparity between the amounts Rep. Mace was reimbursed and her actual expenses incurred.”

Mace’s lawyer, William Sullivan, Jr., wrote in response to the report in December that the OCC’s conclusions were “fundamentally flawed.” The report appeared to include unverified assertions and materials from the congresswoman’s former fiancé, who has a history of abusive and retaliatory behavior toward her, Sullivan said. The couple’s relationship ended in late 2023 to protect Mace’s “safety and wellbeing,” he noted.

“The Referral Report’s reliance on material and information originating from [the former fiancé] is therefore deeply problematic,” Sullivan wrote. “[The fiancé’s] personal motives, documented misuse of legal process, and demonstrated willingness to advance distorted or incomplete narratives about the Congresswoman raise substantial concerns about the accuracy and fairness of any claims premised upon or aligned with his accounts.”

The ethics committee is in the initial stage of its investigation and is gathering more information before advancing.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.

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South-Carolina

How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3

The college basketball slate on Tuesday will include Mike Sharavjamts and the South Carolina Gamecocks (12-17, 3-13 SEC) hosting Nate Ament and the No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers (20-9, 10-6 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena, with the matchup tipping at 6 p.m. ET.

See more details below, including how to watch this game on SEC Network.

Here’s everything you need to prepare for Tuesday’s college hoops action.

South Carolina vs. Tennessee: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Game time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Arena: Colonial Life Arena
TV Channel: SEC Network
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Tennessee vs. South Carolina stats and trends

Tennessee is averaging 80.1 points per game (87th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while ceding 69.2 points per contest (62nd-ranked).
The Volunteers are dominating when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (40.1 per game) and second-best in boards allowed (25.8 per contest).
Tennessee ranks 32nd in the country with 17.0 assists per game.
The Volunteers are committing 11.6 turnovers per game (240th-ranked in college basketball). They are forcing 10.6 turnovers per contest (231st-ranked).
Tennessee is making 6.8 threes per game (279th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 34.3% shooting percentage (167th-ranked) from three-point land.
With 7.9 threes conceded per game, the Volunteers rank 196th in the country. They are giving up a 30.5% shooting percentage from three-point land, which ranks 29th in college basketball.
Tennessee is attempting 41.3 two-pointers per game this year, which account for 67.7% of the shots it has taken (and 76.2% of the team’s baskets). Meanwhile, it is attempting 19.7 three-pointers per contest, which are 32.3% of its shots (and 23.8% of the team’s buckets).

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-8.5)
Moneyline: Tennessee (-437), South Carolina (+328)
Total: 143.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 1:12 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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Bombing of Iran could mean South Carolinians paying more for gas

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Bombing of Iran could mean South Carolinians paying more for gas

U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have caused a sharp rise in global energy prices.
Analysts predict gas prices will rise in the U.S., including in South Carolina.
The conflict has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global transit route.
South Carolina’s average gas price remains lower than the national average, which is approaching $3 per gallon.

An escalating conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in March 2026 has initiated a sharp rise in global energy prices.

Analysts predict a significant uptick in U.S. gasoline prices, including in South Carolina, which often has some of the lowest gas prices in the country.

As of March 2026, AAA reports the national average for regular gasoline is $2.997 per gallon.

Based on projections released earlier this year in the Short-Term Energy Outlook, 2026 was initially forecast to have lower gas prices than 2025. With an expected 6% decrease, translating into approximately a 20-cent-per-gallon drop.

However, due to the conflict, these projections are now uncertain, and prices may not follow the anticipated trend.

“The national average price of gasoline has climbed for a fourth straight week, driven primarily by seasonal tightening and broader market dynamics,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

In the week ahead, De Han stated, gasoline prices are likely to face heightened upward pressure as seasonal trends continue and markets navigate this evolving geopolitical landscape, with the national average poised to reach the $3-per-gallon mark for the first time this year.

“Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekend’s U.S.-Iran attacks, which have elevated geopolitical risk premiums even in the absence of immediate supply disruption,” said De Haan. “Oil prices have firmed as traders assess the potential for further escalation, and while fundamentals such as inventories and refinery activity remain important anchors, the risk of broader instability, particularly involving key transit routes, has injected fresh uncertainty into energy markets.”

Here’s what South Carolinians need to know.

How much is gas in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s average gasoline price remains significantly lower than the national average.

In South Carolina, the average price for regular gasoline currently stands at $2.666 per gallon, according to AAA. Mid-grade gasoline is priced at $3.099, premium gasoline is $3.494, and diesel is priced at $3.505.

Gas price hikes anticipated as bombing continue in Iran

South Carolina drivers should consider filling up their gas tanks soon to avoid potential price spikes.

Analysts expect crude oil, which ended trading on Friday, Feb. 27, at about $67 a barrel, to open this week at $90 or higher as traders process the news that Iranian forces have restricted traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Why are gas prices rising?

Iran is a major oil producer, and the ongoing conflict has disrupted the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s oil passes, according to reports from USA TODAY.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned vessels to avoid the area, and major shipping companies like Maersk have suspended all crossings. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates send most of their oil exports through there.

This disruption has and could continue to reduce supply, driving prices up as demand remains steady.

“Too many global economies depend on that corridor to remain blocked,” De Haan said. “Markets price high transaction costs and additional uncertainty, he says, but he is not expecting full closure.”

If access through the strait is limited for an extended period, prices could rise “materially above $100/barrel,” said analysts at TD Securities in a March 1 note.

On the other hand, if access through the strait is guaranteed and hostilities cease, the added costs to account for the extra risk could evaporate in a matter of weeks, the TD team wrote.

“If it becomes clear this week that the tensions with Iran are short-lived, then oil prices will come back to the 60s,” said Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at $9 billion investment manager Tortoise Capital, in emailed remarks to USA TODAY.

Has South Carolina hit highest record average gas prices?

Despite the current spike in gas prices due to the conflict, South Carolina has not yet surpassed its highest recorded average prices, according to AAA.

The record for regular unleaded gasoline in the state was $4.609 per gallon on June 12, 2022.

Diesel hit a peak of $5.638 per gallon on June 10, 2022.

March gas price outlook: What drivers need to know about gas prices

As reported by USA TODAY on Feb. 28, the national average for U.S. gas prices is likely to push above $3 a gallon on March 2 for the first time this year.

Over the next couple of weeks, prices will likely hit at least $3.10 to $3.15 a gallon.

There’s also a normal seasonal increase in gas prices around this time of year, driven by seasonal pipeline maintenance, the transition to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and an increase in driving, according to GasBuddy analysis.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at $9 billion investment manager Tortoise Capital, expects gas prices to rise in roughly the same rate as oil prices over the coming weeks.

If crude jumps 10%, gas prices will as well, said Thummel.

Upstate SC Gas landscape

According to GasBuddy, in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, gas prices have shown similar trends to the national average, with drivers experiencing gradual increases at the pump.

Upstate South Carolina stations are adjusting prices in response to crude oil fluctuations and seasonal factors. Here’s the latest prices as of Mondy, March 2 at noon: