CFB Fans Troll SEC After Alabama, South Carolina Bowl Losses amid CFP Debate
December 31, 2024
Multiple SEC teams that narrowly missed the cut for the College Football Playoff suffered losses in their respective bowl games on Tuesday.
First, Alabama lost to Michigan by the final score of 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Later in the day, South Carolina was defeated by Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. The Gamecocks fell by the score of 21-17, failing to stop the Illini on their final possession of the game.
FOX College Football @CFBONFOXEnding the year with a bowl win ✅🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/IlliniFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IlliniFootball</a> defeats South Carolina in the <a href="https://twitter.com/CitrusBowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CitrusBowl</a> 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/dSvzRxj0TN">pic.twitter.com/dSvzRxj0TN</a>
South Carolina took a 10-7 lead early in the third quarter, although the Illini responded with a 14-7 run to secure the victory. The Gamecocks racked up 390 total yards, but they converted just one of three opportunities on fourth down and struggled defensively throughout the contest.
Tensions rose in the fourth quarter as South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer was involved in a verbal altercation between both sidelines.
Beamer previously criticized the CFP selection system after the Gamecocks missed the playoff, mentioning Alabama as well.
"Your schedule has to matter and there's teams in the top 12 right now, not only haven't beaten a ranked team but they haven't played a ranked team if I'm not mistaken," Beamer said on Dec. 7, via 247Sports' Brad Crawford. "Your schedule has to matter. I saw that Alabama team up close."
"With Alabama and the schedule they've played, it's hard for me to say they're not one of the 12 best teams," he added. "It's like I feel the same way about us."
After the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks fell in their respective bowl matchups, fans called out both teams.
Ian Miller @ianmSCWell after the SEC, Lane Kiffin & ESPN spent the past few weeks demanding 3 loss SEC teams get into the college football playoff, Alabama & South Carolina lost to Michigan & Illinois as big favorites & the SEC is 1-4 vs the Big 10<br><br>But hey, still undefeated in hypothetical games
South Carolina and Alabama finished No. 11 and No. 15 in the final CFP rankings, respectively. Many believed that both schools were worthy of playoff spots, but the belief may have taken a hit after they couldn't defeat their Big Ten opponents on Tuesday.