They are 45 in Bill Connelly's power ratings and we are 52. His S&P stuff is about the best preseason indicator I've seen over the years. South Carolina is 24.
That said, our rating is 3.9, Minnesota's is 5.2, South Carolina's is 12.1. By contrast #1 is Ohio State is 31.8. Definitely a parabolic effect going on, so can we pull off those games? Sure. But chances are better we'll split them or lose both.
I don't think there's any question, and the Emm Stake way, that we'll just trudge along doing just enough. We'll beat Minnesota but lose to SC, thus he's not fired. We'll probably play a few of the next 4 close, then end up beating Auburn and Ole Miss and we will give him a 20 year extension.
2027 he goes 3-9. Hopefully Sappy Salmon is gone by then.