Following a loss to Alabama, the South Carolina Gamecocks were 3-3 and staring at a cross roads. Since that loss, the Gamecocks have won six straight games and

South Carolina did its part. Once considered a long shot even to sniff the College Football Playoff conversation, the Gamecocks steadily improved their standing week by week, winning the regular season’s final six games to finish 9-3 overall and 5-3 in the SEC.

ESPN’s Heather Dinich has the Gamecocks projected at No. 14 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, which will be released Tuesday evening. Dinich has Alabama, which defeated South Carolina, as the final team getting in the playoffs. She also has Ole Miss at No. 13.