CBS Sports Names Teams That Could Make The CFP For The First Time

CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford compiled a list of teams outside of the Way-Too-Early Top 10 rankings that have a chance of making the College Football Playoff for the first time.

In his list were South Carolina and Florida. Here's what he had to say about both schools.

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Florida

2026 schedule: FAU, Campbell, at Auburn, Ole Miss, at Missouri, South Carolina, at Texas, Georgia (Atlanta), Oklahoma, at Kentucky, Vanderbilt, at Florida State

What to like: Jon Sumrall's coaching chops will be put to the test early against Auburn and Ole Miss as Florida's coach faces the heat quickly in his first season with the Gators. Unlike most taking over a new job, Sumrall did not bring an influx of former Tulane starters with him to Gainesville. Instead, he took a number of Power Four players with experience and hired an impressive staff to surround him in The Swamp.

Former Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, credited with developing Haynes King into an all-time quarterback at the program, made it imperative that his QB2 last fall -- Aaron Philo -- join him. He's an under-the-radar transfer who knows Faulkner's system and could be a breakout player to watch in the SEC if he wins the job over Tramell Jones. Running back Jadan Baugh is a Doak Walker candidate and despite losing Eugene Wilson in the portal, Florida feels confident the returning 1-2 punch of Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown on the outside should provide plenty of firepower. Simply put, this is one of the most athletic wideout groups the Gators have possessed this decade.

Determining factors: Even if Florida's offense is explosive to mark Sumrall's debut, the nastiness we're used to seeing on the other side of the football must be one of the program's calling cards under its new regime. That's the only way the Gators will be able to combat one of the SEC's toughest schedules, which includes a defining stretch against Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. No matter the schedule strength metric you prefer, Florida's slate gives this team a chance to be in the playoff discussion late if the Gators are able to pile up some wins early and get off to a good start.

South Carolina

2026 schedule: Kent State, Towson, Mississippi State, at Alabama, Kentucky, at Florida, Tennessee, at Oklahoma, Texas A&M, at Arkansas, Georgia, at Clemson

What to like: South Carolina's front office wasted no time with roster retention with the re-signings of quarterback LaNorris Sellers, edge star Dylan Stewart and breakout playmaker Nyck Harbor at wide receiver. That could be a first-round trio for the Gamecocks if improvements are made after a disappointing 4-8 finish. The acquisition of a top-25 transfer class -- driven by elite offensive line reinforcements -- along with the hires of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, offensive line coach Randy Clements and running backs maven Stan Drayton shows South Carolina is all-in after an offseason roster and staff cleansing of sorts ahead of Shane Beamer's pivotal sixth season.

Determining factors: Can Sellers return to form under a new offensive scheme and get back to being one of college football's most dynamic players? Two years ago, Sellers helped South Carolina win six straight games down the stretch and nearly reach the playoff as a three-loss team. The potential of this team being elite in 2026 rides on his shoulders once again. The Gamecocks miss LSU and Ole Miss in conference play, but Georgia and Tennessee return to the schedule. If South Carolina's able to handle Alabama on the road in Week 4 after consecutive narrow losses to the Crimson Tide each of the past two seasons, this team will be thinking playoff appearance.

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