South-Carolina

No. 15 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson: Preview and Prediction

Published

11 months ago

November 30, 2024

No. 15 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson: Preview and Prediction

CLEMSON — The 121^st 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 18^th nationally in tackles for loss (77), while Carolina ranks 128^th 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 125^th 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 14^th 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

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South-Carolina

Can South Carolina football, LaNorris Sellers outscore Alabama, Ty Simpson? Our prediction

Published

9 hours ago

October 24, 2025

Press Room

Can South Carolina football, LaNorris Sellers outscore Alabama, Ty Simpson? Our prediction

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football has lost four of its last five games and now faces its toughest test yet.

No. 4 Alabama comes to Williams-Brice Stadium on Oct. 25 (3:30 p.m., ABC) riding a six-game win streak. The Crimson Tide (6-1, 4-0 SEC) have taken down four consecutive ranked opponents. The Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4) need three more wins to become bowl eligible.

The last time these two teams met, LaNorris Sellers threw for 238 yards (74.2%) but a failed two-point conversion gave Alabama the 27-25 win. It was the last loss of the 2024 regular season for coach Shane Beamer, who then saw his team finish on a six-game win streak.

South Carolina vs. Alabama prediction

Oklahoma ran the ball through South Carolina’s defense and stopped the Gamecocks in the red zone, but Beamer’s squad only trailed by seven at halftime.

The Gamecocks can’t afford empty trips or leaky defense against Alabama so it’s not a matter of punching first, but remaining consistent with discipline through four quarters.

Last year South Carolina’s talent kept it in the game but what’s on tape for the Gamecocks so far doesn’t mirror the situation in 2024. If South Carolina capitalizes on any Alabama mistakes, it might be closer than expected.

It’s more likely that Alabama pulls away in the second half.

South Carolina vs. Alabama scouting report

Why South Carolina has an advantage: Only 21 FBS teams have more interceptions than South Carolina, and 10 of those have just one more (Gamecocks have eight). Turnovers have been a staple, and against LSU, two came in the red zone, one a fumble forced on the goal line and the other an interception at the 1-yard line.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has 18 touchdowns to just one interception (tied for second best in nation) but has been sacked 12 times. South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart has 3.5 sacks and Brian Thomas Jr has four.

South Carolina is tied for the third-most defensive touchdowns in the FBS, which doesn’t include its three special teams scores. While the offense is struggling, that’s an advantage the Gamecocks might have to lean into.

Why Alabama has an advantage: The Crimson Tide are performing better in most major categories.

They are averaging 422.7 total yards compared to South Carolina’s 297.7 (last in SEC), more passing yards (297.1 to 191.1) and more rushing yards (125.6 to 106.6) per game. Alabama is averaging 35.1 points and South Carolina is averaging 20.1.

Alabama allows 309.1 yards per game, while South Carolina is allowing 336.6.

Simpson is one of the most prolific passers in the nation. Beamer recruited him to South Carolina but didn’t get him. Beamer texted Simpson’s father while watching Alabama tape a few nights ago, he revealed on the SEC teleconference Oct. 22, saying Simpson’s throws are some of the best he’s seen in a long time.

South Carolina’s secondary has to deal with Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, who both have over 400 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Williams averages 7.5 yards after the catch.

Bernard averages 14.3 yards per reception and has caught a pass over 25 yards in five games.

South Carolina football injury report vs Alabama

South Carolina

OL Cason Henry: Out
OL Jatavius Shivers: Questionable
OL Nolan Hay: Probable
DL Monkell Goodwine: Probable

Alabama

LB Qua Russaw: Out
LB Jah-Marien Latham: Out
LB Cayden Jones: Out
DL Jeremiah Beaman: Out

South Carolina vs. Alabama score prediction

Alabama 31, South Carolina 14

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

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South-Carolina

Greg McElroy makes prediction for Alabama at South Carolina

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

Greg McElroy makes prediction for Alabama at South Carolina

The Alabama Crimson Tide is on the road this week at Williams-Brice Stadium to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Former UA quarterback Greg McElroy made his prediction on who he thinks will win this matchup.

The Tide have been rolling since their opening loss to Florida State. Since then, the Tide are 6-0 and have rattled off 4 consecutive ranked wins. Alabama is clicking and will be looking to keep that going against a struggling South Carolina team. The Gamecocks are coming off back-to-back losses to LSU and Oklahoma. The offense put up a combined 17 points in the 2 losses, and quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw for only 124 yards in both games.

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McElroy is sticking with the Tide in this matchup and expects Alabama to keep its win streak going.

“I’m taking Alabama, but I would not be surprised if this is a low-scoring, close, competitive football game for 3-plus quarters,” McElroy said. “Probably lean towards taking the points in this one. I think it’s going to be a close game, but I do think Alabama prevails in what will be a gutsy win on the road at Willy-Brice.”

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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South-Carolina

City leaders consider South Carolina Aquarium site for city workforce housing

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

City leaders consider South Carolina Aquarium site for city workforce housing

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – City of Charleston leaders are considering rezoning a lot near the South Carolina Aquarium as part of a future affordable housing plan.

Various downtown sites are under consideration for new housing including a city-owned property on the eastern end of the South Carolina Aquarium parking deck.

Sites under consideration stem from an outlined plan to add 3,500 affordable housing units by 2032. The plan falls in line with the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s 2025 to 2029 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan for 2026.

A 2019 to 2023 American Community Survey in the plan’s housing needs assessment records nearly more than 22,000 households are cost burdened. The survey finds that 14,600 renters and more than 8,000 homeowners paid more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

District Two City Councilman Kevin Shealy says creating housing opportunities is needed for the city’s essential workers.

“We have firefighters, police officers, young teachers, essential business people, hospitality workers,” Shealy says. “We need to make sure they can afford to live in the Charleston area and live where they work. It’s essential for our business, it’s essential for how our city operates.”

Aquarium visitors and people walking nearby may view the area as a potential spot for extra parking. A successful rezoning would be step one to adding units.

Mixed-use affordable housing units are under consideration for a site near the South Carolina Aquarium.(Oasis)

City Planning Commission leaders are considering rezoning the lot at the corner of Calhoun and Concord Streets from general business zoning to mixed-use workforce housing.

City planning manager Christopher Morgan says the city has been eyeing the lot for around the last 10 years. He says the city’s recent housing initiative is an opportunity to move forward on adding affordable housing options in the space.

“That will allow for a mix of housing types and, or also commercial aspects,” Morgan says. “It could be that there would be ground floor commercial uses and then ground floor residential uses.”

City leaders say potential housing designs in the city’s 2032 plan will ensure homes will keep the city’s aesthetic. Draft images include designs for spaces such as Charleston singles and cottages.

“We need to protect the way our character of our city is. We need to protect that character,” Shealy says. “These are going to be very attractive homes. Some of them are going to be your Charleston single homes that will be split up into triplexes, but it’s going to be a beautiful type of home that these people are going to be living and businesses will be operating in as well.”

The rezoning would go to the City Council for a public hearing on November 18 if commission leaders recommend approval. A final reading would take place in December if council leaders approve the change.

Morgan says design plans would be the next step if all goes well.

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