DALLAS — No group had been capable of overcome South Carolina’s dominance for 42 consecutive video games. Till Friday night time. Led by Caitlin Clark’s second consecutive 41-point sport — one of many biggest particular person performances in Remaining 4 historical past — Iowa pulled one of many largest upsets in NCAA event historical past, ending the Gamecocks’ undefeated season 77-73.
The Hawkeyes, who advance to their first NCAA championship sport in class historical past, will likely be joined by one other first-timer in Sunday’s title sport. LSU trailed by 9 factors coming into Friday’s fourth quarter however rallied to beat Virginia Tech 79-72 within the different semifinal.
Clark’s 41 factors and eight assists — she scored or assisted on 58 of Iowa’s 77 factors — paced the Hawkeyes, who solely trailed for just a little over 2 minutes Friday. Iowa managed the sport from the outset and by no means wilted; South Carolina’s largest lead was one level.
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The Gamecocks’ quest to win back-to-back titles and change into the tenth group to run the desk ended within the semifinals, together with a 42-game win streak that dated to March 6, 2022. And as a substitute of the Gamecocks, the SEC will likely be represented in Sunday’s ultimate by the Tigers, who misplaced within the semifinals for 5 straight years (2004-08). Coach Kim Mulkey is searching for her fourth NCAA title after profitable three with Baylor.
ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, Charlie Creme and M.A. Voepel break down how Iowa shocked the world and the way LSU pulled off an unbelievable comeback. Additionally they take an early have a look at the Iowa-LSU matchup Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
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South Carolina falls quick in semifinal battle vs. Iowa
Regardless of Zia Cooke’s 24 factors, the Gamecocks battle in stopping the Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark, dropping the 77-73 resolution and ending their 42-game profitable streak.
What did Iowa do, and what went flawed for South Carolina, to place the Hawkeyes within the ultimate and finish the Gamecocks’ undefeated season?
Creme: Each group collapses underneath the burden of the bodily dominance of the Gamecocks. Not Iowa. The upset is one factor. The Hawkeyes trailed solely briefly on a pair events, held off each South Carolina try at a rally and gained regardless of being outrebounded 49-25. Iowa had a sport plan that performed to its personal strengths and had one of the best participant on the court docket. The Hawkeyes pushed the tempo at any time when they may, unfold the ground of their half-court offense and put the ball in Clark’s electrifying arms as a lot as attainable. Clark appeared to have a solution every time South Carolina was on the verge of creating that one massive push. Most notably, when Aliyah Boston made a layup with 9:05 left to offer South Carolina a 60-59 lead, Clark responded with a 3-pointer 13 seconds later, after which assisted on a Monika Czinano layup, to revive a four-point Iowa lead. South Carolina did not lead once more.
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Nearly as good as Iowa was, this wasn’t South Carolina’s greatest efficiency. The final thought was that if the Gamecocks performed their A-game they’d seize a second straight championship. This was not their A-game. Iowa packed the paint and dared South Carolina to shoot jumpers. That has been the Gamecocks’ Achilles’ heel for 3 years. Making simply 4-of-20 3-pointers value South Carolina; the Gamecocks’ 24-8 benefit in second-chance factors wasn’t sufficient to beat a 39.0% capturing night time.
Adelson: Charlie factors out one thing South Carolina guard Zia Cooke mentioned after the sport within the locker room. When requested what Iowa did to take the Gamecocks off their sport, she mentioned, “We beat ourselves.” Significantly on the defensive finish, the place South Carolina has been essentially the most dominant group within the nation this yr. “We did not execute,” Cooke mentioned. “On the guard screens we did not execute. That is not us. We let open layups occur too many instances. It is simply not us. I assume it wasn’t destined for us to win.”
Maybe essentially the most irritating half is Iowa took it to South Carolina inside — scoring 38 factors within the paint. The Hawkeyes’ 77 factors is tied for the best complete the Gamecocks allowed all season. Iowa additionally made positive that Boston was off her sport — and stepping into early foul hassle definitely did not assist. When South Carolina doesn’t get essentially the most out of its submit gamers, as Charlie talked about, and is just lower than the same old normal it has set on protection, it’s going to be a protracted night time.
LSU was minus-11 on the boards at halftime and trailed by as many as 12 factors within the third quarter. How did the Tigers flip across the sport?
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LSU makes use of dominant 4th quarter to advance to title sport
LSU’s enormous fourth quarter pushes the Tigers previous Virginia Tech and into the nationwide championship sport.
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Creme: This was the identical method the Tigers used to achieve the Remaining 4; it simply took some time to search out the best components. Regardless of the rebounding deficit, LSU held a 24-10 benefit in factors within the paint over the primary 20 minutes. The Tigers have been profitable the battle across the rim. That translated into profitable the sport within the second half. The Tigers completed with 50 factors within the paint (Angel Reese had 22 all by herself) to Virginia Tech’s 14. LSU solely made three 3-pointers, however the Hokies have been no match for the Tigers inside. Reese epitomized the turnaround. She had a stable first half (10 factors and two rebounds) however completed with 24 factors and 12 rebounds for her SEC-record thirty third double-double this season. Down the stretch she dominated the matchup with Elizabeth Kitley, who solely took one shot within the fourth quarter.
Adelson: The job LSU did on Kitley meant there was extra stress on Virginia Tech’s shooters, and so they weren’t capable of come by. Georgia Amoore, at all times dependable from 3-point vary, was settling for 3-point photographs within the fourth quarter — generally even dashing them with loads of time left to set the offense and search for different choices. Amoore took the primary 4 photographs to start out the fourth quarter — all whereas the Hokies had the lead. However she solely hit one among them because the lead began to slide away. It is exhausting to need to depend on 3-point makes an attempt when LSU is doing a lot within the paint. As a group, Virginia Tech had zero makes an attempt contained in the paint in the whole fourth quarter.
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Reese, Morris on Remaining 4 win: ‘We simply made historical past’
Following a comeback win over 1-seed Virginia Tech, 2-seed LSU’s Angel Reese and Alexis Morris clarify how they’ve overcome all odds.
Voepel: LSU’s Alexis Morris was just a little “brisk” Thursday with a reporter who requested how the Tigers would go about stopping Virginia Tech sharpshooter Georgia Amoore, principally saying, “Hey, I am a very good participant, too.”
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Morris’ story is one for the ages. She started her faculty profession at Baylor, was dismissed from the group by then-coach Kim Mulkey, then went to Rutgers and Texas A&M earlier than going to LSU after Mulkey took over. Morris requested Mulkey to offer her a second likelihood, and it has paid wonderful dividends for each.
Within the Elite Eight, Morris hit key soar photographs and free throws. Friday towards Virginia Tech, she did it once more, scoring a team-high 27 factors. And whereas it took 27 photographs to do it, Morris performed her coronary heart out for all 40 minutes. Amoore completed with 17 factors, however was 4-of-17 from the sphere.
LSU struggled with Virginia Tech’s zone protection within the first half, capturing 0-of-6 from the ground towards it. However issues modified dramatically within the second half, as LSU shot 12-of-26 vs. the zone.
The place does Iowa’s victory over South Carolina rank within the historical past of NCAA event and Remaining 4 upsets?
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What makes Caitlin Clark particular?
Doris Burke and Diana Taurasi analyze Caitlin Clark’s greatness throughout her efficiency towards South Carolina.
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Voepel: It is fascinating that we have seen two upsets that ended good seasons within the nationwide semifinals proper right here in Dallas’ American Airways Heart, six years aside. In 2017, Mississippi State ended UConn’s NCAA-record 111-game profitable streak on Morgan William’s soar shot on the buzzer in time beyond regulation. And it felt even larger as a result of the Bulldogs had misplaced to UConn by 60 factors the yr earlier than.
This Iowa win over South Carolina was an upset, little doubt, as most observers thought the Gamecocks’ depth and measurement was an excessive amount of for Iowa to beat. However as a result of the Hawkeyes have the nation’s greatest offense and one of the best offensive participant, it wasn’t as if this outcome was inconceivable.
Arizona’s win over UConn in 2021’s event within the San Antonio bubble was a fairly enormous upset, too. UConn’s Paige Bueckers was having a spectacular freshman season, and the Huskies had only one loss to Arizona’s 5.
If you happen to look past the Remaining 4, there are larger upsets within the Candy 16 and Elite Eight in event historical past. Sticking to only the Remaining 4, this Iowa upset was enormous, however not fairly the most important.
Creme: I am additionally on board that the Mississippi State win over UConn was a much bigger upset. Like Iowa, that Mississippi State group was a No. 2 seed, however the Bulldogs did not have a participant like Clark or an offense just like the Hawkeyes.
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But when we’re increasing this dialog to the whole event, nothing tops Louisville’s Candy 16 shocker over Baylor in 2013. That Bears group wasn’t undefeated (they’d misplaced to Stanford earlier within the season), however with Brittney Griner and Odyssey Sims, the Bears have been simply as imposing and gifted as this South Carolina group. And the 2013 Cardinals weren’t almost the equal of the 2023 Hawkeyes.
We’ll analyze the Iowa-LSU title sport extra on Saturday. Give us one scorching take earlier than then.
Creme: The Iowa scouting report for LSU should not be too completely different from the one the Hawkeyes had for South Carolina. The Tigers are additionally a gifted offensive rebounding group, second within the nation behind the Gamecocks, the truth is. They’ve a star inside participant in Angel Reese. Additionally they can battle from the perimeter like South Carolina. The technique of packing the paint can work for Iowa once more, and if LSU does not have a greater reply for Clark than South Carolina did, Iowa goes to be celebrating its first nationwide championship.
Voepel: Play within the paint will likely be enormous on this matchup. LSU dominated the paint scoring-wise towards Virginia Tech, and the Hawkeyes — regardless that they only beat a South Carolina group recognized for its inside play — can have their arms full once more vs. the Tigers.
CLEMSON — No. 12 Clemson football looks to close its regular season with a win against its most-hated rival.
The Tigers (9-2), who are No. 12 in the latest CFP rankings, look to boost their CFP résumé against No. 14 South Carolina (8-3) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) at Memorial Stadium. They eye an ACC championship bid after finishing conference play 7-1 but need Miami to lose to Syracuse on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) to make it. If they don’t make the ACC title game, they look to earn a CFP at-large bid, needing to defeat the Gamecocks and hope teams above them stumble like some did last week.
South Carolina, which is No. 15 in the latest CFP rankings, is one of the hottest in the nation, winning five straight games including three against opponents who were ranked at the time, and has an outside shot at a CFP at-large bid too. During its win streak, it is averaging 39.4 points per game and allowed only 15.6 points. It is led by second-year quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who has 2,110 yards passing for 17 touchdowns and six interceptions.
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This will be the 121st matchup between these two programs with Clemson leading the all-time series 73-43-4.
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Clemson vs South Carolina score updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
Clemson vs South Carolina time today
Date: Nov. 30
Time: Noon ET
Location: Memorial Stadium
What channel is Clemson vs South Carolina game on today?
Clemson vs. South Carolina will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Roy Philpott and Sam Acho will call the game from the booth at Memorial Stadium, with Taylor Davis reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Clemson vs South Carolina history
Series record: Clemson leads, 73-43-4
Clemson’s last win: Nov. 25, 2023, 16-7
South Carolina’s last win: Nov. 26, 2022, 31-30
Clemson vs South Carolina prediction
South Carolina 28, Clemson 24: The Gamecocks are one of the hottest teams in FBS led by a ferocious pass rush and a potent offense. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik will be pressured, while South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers will exploit Clemson’s defense, a unit that has been susceptible to explosive plays.
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Clemson vs South Carolina betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Spread: Clemson (-2.5)
Over/under: 49.5
Moneyline: Clemson (-140), South Carolina (+115)
Clemson vs South Carolina injury updates
Clemson: Tight end Jake Briningstool and safety R.J. Mickens are expected to play. Left tackle Tristan Leigh, left guard Marcus Tate, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and linebacker Wade Woodaz are day to day, according to Tigers coach Dabo Swinney.
South Carolina: Wide receiver Jared Brown is expected to play. Wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs is out. Tight end Josh Simon’s status is unclear for Saturday.
Clemson football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: No. 6 Georgia 34, Clemson 3
Sept. 7: Clemson 66, Appalachian State 20
Sept. 14: OPEN
Sept. 21: Clemson 59, NC State 35
Sept. 28: Clemson 40, Stanford 14
Oct. 5: Clemson 29, Florida State 13
Oct. 12: Clemson 49, Wake Forest 14
Oct. 19: Clemson 48, Virginia 31
Oct. 26: OPEN
Nov. 2: Louisville 33, Clemson 21
Nov. 9: Clemson 24, Virginia Tech 14
Nov. 16: Clemson 24, Pitt 20
Nov. 23: Clemson 51, The Citadel 14
Nov. 30: vs. No. 14 South Carolina, noon ET (ESPN)
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South Carolina football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: South Carolina 23, Old Dominion 19
Sept. 7: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6
Sept. 14: LSU 36, South Carolina 33
Sept. 21: South Carolina 50, Akron 7
Sept. 28: OPEN
Oct. 5: No. 16 Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 3
Oct. 12: No. 13 Alabama 27, South Carolina 25
Oct. 19: South Carolina 35, Oklahoma 9
Oct. 26: OPEN
Nov. 2: South Carolina 44, No. 19 Texas A&M 20
Nov. 9: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 7
Nov. 16: South Carolina 34, No. 24 Missouri 30
Nov. 23: South Carolina 56, Wofford 12
Nov. 30: at No. 12 Clemson, noon ET (ESPN)
Clemson football news
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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.
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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)
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Kickoff: Saturday, noon
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ESPN
Spread: Clemson -2.5
Over/Under: 49
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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).
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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.
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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.
The wait is almost over. At long last, rivalry weekend is upon us.
In what will be one of the biggest games of the weekend, No. 15 South Carolina will travel to the upstate to face No. 12 Clemson for the Palmetto Bowl. Kickoff is at noon on ESPN on Saturday.
The GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staffs shared their predictions for the game between the Gamecocks and Tigers as well as other Week 14 matchups from around the country.
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George Bagwell: I think this is a bad matchup for Clemson. They’re not working with a great offensive line while they face an elite defensive front. They just gave up 288 rushing yards to The Citadel, the most against a Clemson defense since Georgia in 2014, and now they’re facing a highly efficient run-based offense in South Carolina. South Carolina 38, Clemson 20.
Peyton Butt: This could honestly go either way so making a prediction was a challenge. Clemson has struggled with some injuries thus far but the two are pretty evenly matched. I think the game being at Clemson will be a huge advantage and boost for the Tigers. Gamecock defense will have to put pressure on Cade Klubnik fast but I think Klubnik’s accuracy and consistency will be a problem for the Gamecocks. Clemson 45, South Carolina 28.
Elijah Campbell: It’s one of the most highly anticipated games in the history of this great rivalry and for the first time since I was in high school, I really feel like this Gamecocks team will go into Clemson and win. Shane Beamer said that forcing turnovers is a must and I agree. I also see the Kennard and Stewart edge rushing combo working perfectly to force one of the key turnovers as well as keeping Clemson’s rushing attack at bay. Give me the Gamecocks in a thriller! South Carolina 21, Clemson 17.
Chris Clark: I think this South Carolina team is battle-tested and will have an advantage at the line of scrimmage on defense. I expect a competitive game, but I’m taking the Gamecocks to get it done on the road. South Carolina 27, Clemson 20.
Terry Ford: USC wins a tight one on the road. The way the Gamecocks offense has come on to go along with one of the best defenses in America make Carolina tough to beat. Plus, USC has been real good on the road all year. Stat to file away…ESPN SP+ Special Teams Rankings Nationally: Gamecocks 42nd…Tigers 109th. South Carolina 23, Clemson 20.
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Griffin Goodwyn: Recent history would say that the Gamecocks are expected to struggle when they head to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. South Carolina has lost three of its last four road matchups against Clemson, and those three defeats were by a combined 88 points. But the Gamecocks’ last trip to the Tigers’ home stadium was a different story, as they claimed a 31-30 victory facing long odds as an unranked team looking to take down a top-10 squad with College Football Playoff aspirations. The postseason stakes are higher for both teams in this year’s Palmetto Bowl, and so is the possibility of an upset. South Carolina is in the midst of a five-game win streak — and is in prime position for a sixth-straight victory. South Carolina 28, Clemson 27.
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Tyler Head: High stakes game. Gamecocks have to slow down the Tigers rushing attack. I think Sellers has another star making performance. South Carolina 34, Clemson 31.
Wes Mitchell: South Carolina’s defensive line has carried it all season long and I don’t think that will stop this week, especially against a Clemson offensive line that has been banged up. The key will be can the Gamecocks protect the football, not let the moment be too big, and just do what they do otherwise. South Carolina 31, Clemson 21.
Jay Philips: Here we are, a Carolina/Clemson game that really matters for both teams beyond the daily rivalry. The Gamecocks are playing some of the best football in the country and will feel no fear in traveling to Memorial Stadium this weekend. Based on their form I think Carolina is the slightly better team, and if they continue on their current path they should win this game. In a tense contest give me South Carolina 30, Clemson 23.
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Kendall Smith: I could write a long paragraph about why I am going with this final score, but all I’m going to say is I think this game belongs to the Gamecocks if they play to their potential. South Carolina 27, Clemson 23.
Mike Uva: Two teams with strong defenses who have QBs who have improved throughout the year. This should be an instant classic, especially with the college football playoff hopes hovering both these teams. South Carolina 20, Clemson 17.
Jack Veltri: I’ve said it since the summer that South Carolina would beat Clemson this year, and that was before any of us knew the Gamecocks would be where they are today. I still feel they’re going to get the job done. They’ve faced all kinds of adversity this season and handled it well. The key here will be to take care of the football on offense and the defense creates takeaways. South Carolina 34, Clemson 28.
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Chris Wellbaum: Which quarterback do you trust against which defense? Both teams will try to lean on their run game, and the defense that can force some turnovers will win the game. Clemson 31, South Carolina 16.
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Kevin Miller: In one of the most anticipated matchups in recent rivalry history, South Carolina and Clemson are both ranked and holding on to slight hope for the College Football Playoff. The Gamecocks have played better than the Tigers in recent weeks, but the game is in the Upstate. In classic rivalry fashion, this game could come down to the football cliches: turnovers, 3rd-down conversions, and explosive plays. Give me the Gamecocks in a tight one: South Carolina 27, Clemson 24.
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Michigan at Ohio State (The Game)
Auburn at Alabama (Iron Bowl)
Notre Dame at Southern Cal (The Battle for the Jeweled Shilleagh)
Oklahoma at LSU
Texas at Texas A&M (Lonestar Showdown)
Marshall at James Madison
Virginia at Virginia Tech (The Commonwealth Clash)
