South Carolina came within a few spots of earning their way last season into the College Football Playoff. Now, with the same record again, Joel Klatt thinks this could be the fall where they make their debut appearance in the field.

Delaware and Missouri State officially joined Conference USA on Tuesday, giving the league 11 long-term members. With the additions, the FBS ballooned to 136 teams, the most in history. Five members of Conference USA have moved to the FBS level since 2023.

Since 2011, the MVFC has won 12 of the past 14 FCS national championships, including four consecutive since the 2021 season. Further highlighting the conference's dominance, the MVFC boasts a 155-92 record in the NCAA FCS playoffs, along with 16 appearances in the championship game.

Eight of the 16 head coaches in the SEC, including Drinkwitz, are included on the watch list. Kirby Smart (Georgia), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Brian Kelly (LSU), Josh Heupel (Tennessee), Brent Venables (Oklahoma) and Mike Elko (Texas A&M) also made the list.