CLEMSON — The 121st edition of the Clemson-South Carolina game is already like no other.
This year’s game will have more at stake than bragging rights, as the winner of the game will be in position to earn an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff.
“It’s fun to be a part of it,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.
The Tigers come into their regular season-finale ranked No. 12 in the latest CFP rankings, while the Gamecocks are ranked No. 15.
Carolina is riding a five-game winning streak coming in, while Clemson has won its last three games.
“I love it. I love being in the fight,” Swinney said. “I love the fact y’all are going to write horrible things about us on Sunday if we stink this up. That’s okay, it comes with it. This is what we signed up for.
“I love the fact, that even if we do not play well, and we find a way to win, we are going to be great. It just comes with it. It is what you sign up for. It’s a rivalry game.”
And it could be the best one yet.
No. 15 South Carolina (8-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2)
Kickoff: Saturday, noon
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ESPN
Spread: Clemson -2.5
Over/Under: 49
Series: Clemson leads series 73-43-4
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Normally, it’s just bragging rights. However, there is more on the line than bragging rights this season. The winner of the game puts itself in position to make the College Football Playoff. Clemson, which sits at No. 12, needs a win over the Gamecocks, plus someone to lose above them to get in. A win over No. 15 Carolina could also give the Tigers the win they need to jump over No. 10 Indiana in the rankings. The Gamecocks need to beat Clemson and then a loss from Ole Miss, Alabama and someone else in the top 10 to be able to move into the CFP picture.
KEY MATCHUP
This game is going to be won or lost when South Carolina has the football. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is an up-and-coming star in the SEC, as he has improved throughout the season. Running back Rocket Sanders (821 yds, 11 TDs) teams up with Sellers (489, 5 TDs) to give the Gamecocks a strong running game. Clemson has struggled at times to stop the run this season, but the Tigers have held five of their last six FBS opponents to 88 or less yards on the ground. Clemson also ranks 18th nationally in tackles for loss (77), while Carolina ranks 128th in TFLs allowed (85).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon leads the Gamecocks in receptions (31), reception yards (433) and touchdown receptions (6). Clemson will likely deploy a 4-3 scheme to try and slow down Carolina’s strong running game. Though Sammy Brown is a wrecking ball in the run game, and at the line of scrimmage, he can be a liability in pass coverage, so look for the Gamecocks to try and exploit this weakness with Simon in the middle of the field.
Clemson left tackle Tristan Leigh. It’s rare to highlight an offensive tackle in any game, much less a game of this magnitude, especially considering Leigh is questionable for the game. But the Tigers need Leigh to play, so it can sure up some of the holes it has on the O-line due to so many injuries this year. It will allow new offensive line coach Matt Luke to move Harris Sewell back to left guard where he started the Virginia Tech and Pitt games. It will also move Blake Miller back to his natural position at right tackle and Walker Parks back to his usual spot at right guard. In other words, the Tigers will have continuity on the offensive line for the first time since the Louisville game when all the injuries started to pile up. Going against Carolina’s dynamic defensive front, especially defensive ends Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart is going to be a difficult task regardless, but having Leigh back would be huge for the Tigers.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson is entering the South Carolina game having won eight of the last nine games in the series. The Tigers have outscored the Gamecocks by an average of 21.1 points per game in that span.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Clemson’s offense is ranked sixth in the country in total yards (469.9 ypg). South Carolina’s defense is ranked 13 nationally (303.6 yds allowed/game) in total defense. Something has to give, right? Or does it? I like the matchup for Clemson when the Gamecocks have the football. Carolina’s offensive line has a hard time holding blocks and gives up a lot of TFLs and sacks. Sellers also tends to put the ball on the ground at times, as does the offense as a whole. The Gamecocks have fumbled 21 times this year, which ranks 125th in the country. They have lost 11 of those fumbles, which ranks 126 nationally. The Tigers on the other hand have taken care of the football for the most part, ranking third nationally in turnover margin (+13) and have forced 20 turnovers, which ranks 14th nationally. I think this will be the difference in the game and help the Tigers earn a second straight win over the Gamecocks.
PREDICTION
Clemson 27, South Carolina 23
