The South Carolina Gamecocks will head to Death Valley this Saturday for a top-15 matchup against their arch-rivals the Clemson Tigers. The hate this rivalry brings out is well documented, but it’s likely to reach even new heights thanks to some added pressure. Both teams currently sit on the playoff bubble in most projections, meaning a win could be either one in the tournament.
The Gamecocks will enter the contest in the midst of a five-game win streak, while Clemson has won nine of their last 10. It’s been a while since this storied rivalry has carried such large implications, but here we are. Can Shane Beamer collect his second win against Carolina’s most hated rival? Let’s find out as we dive into this week’s South Carolina game preview.
Clemson at First Glance
The Gamecocks’ arch-rivals will enter Saturday with a 9-2 record and are currently ranked 12th in the nation. With Carolina currently ranked 15th, this will mark the first time since 2017 that both sides enter the contest in the top 25.
Clemson stumbled out of the gates to start the season, dropping their opener to the then-top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Following this early setback though, the Tigers regrouped and rattled off six straight wins. This momentum was brought to a screeching halt with a loss to unranked Louisville on the road, but they’ve gotten back on track winning their last three matchups.
While these may not be the Clemson Tigers of years past, they are still an insanely talented team. They have NFL talent at every level, making them a serious threat. Beamer touched on the challenge his guys will be up against this weekend, referencing the Tigers’ resilience.
“Got a big challenge on our hands,” Beamer said. “Dabo has done an awesome job with his team this year. Disappointing game one against Georgia. Have a lot of respect for the way they didn’t listen to all the noise about him and their program and their team after that game. Just stayed focused on getting better and winning the next one and they absolutely have. They have been on a roll since that game.”
The Tigers are indeed playing their best football of the season, and much of that falls to the man under center on offense.
Tigers’ New QB Sensation
Cade Klubnik may not be Trevor Lawrence or Deshaun Watson, but he has become exactly what the Tigers have needed at quarterback. The junior gunslinger has improved massively this season, reinvigorating Clemson’s previously stagnant offense.
Klubnik has currently racked up 2,761 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing just under 64 percent of his passes. He also poses a threat on the ground rushing for 375 yards and a further five scores. Beamer touched on Klubnik’s recent jump in production, and the challenge his defense is facing.
“Cade Klubnik is playing great right now,” Beamer said. “The best ball of his career. Shows his athleticism and ability to make all the throws, run.”
Combined with a stout run game and seasoned offensive line, Carolina will be facing one of their hardest challenges all year. The Gamecocks’ front seven will have to establish some early pressure to set the tone. If they can’t get to Klubnik, things are likely to get ugly for Carolina.
Clemson’s Defense is still Formidable
While the Tigers’ defense has also declined from their championship pedigree, the unit is still extremely talented. Headlined by one of the nation’s best linebackers Barrett Carter, they remain a formidable foe for any offense.
Clemson currently ranks sixth in the nation in total defense, third in turnover margin, and the top 15 in a number of other key stats. They’re big, physical, and have NFL talent at all three levels. Beamer echoed many of the same sentiments when asked about the Tiger’s defense, giving his opponent some massive praise in the process.
“Defensively, every year, they have an amazing defense, and this year is no different,” Beamer said. “They are big and physical. Strong on the line of scrimmage. They have depth there. Tackles that can play end. Ends that can play tackles. The linebackers are really, really good. Carter, I will be glad when he is out of there.”
Clemson remains a force on defense, and they will also have one of the best home crowd advantages in the country on their side. Carolina has to establish their run game early and they cannot afford to give away processions. Once momentum is on Clemson’s side in Death Valley, it becomes very difficult to pry it back.
Massive Post-Season Implications
As we touched on before, this year’s Palmetto Bowl will have more riding on it than any other in recent memory. Both teams currently sit on the edge of Playoff eligibility, and a win could also carry a playoff bid. While there’s no guarantee that either side will actually make the tournament, the winner is sure to find themselves in the mix for one of the final slots.
Both teams are hungry, evenly matched, and playing for far more than bragging rights. For Clemson, a win represents a return to the upper echelon of the sport. For Carolina, it crowns the best season of Beamer’s tenure so far and sets a new precedent for the program.
All of this added pressure has elevated one of the most hate-filled rivalries in the country to an almost fever pitch. The Gamecocks have the ability to secure their biggest win in recent memory on Saturday, and in doing so dash the Tigers’ postseason dreams. Conversely, Clemson also holds the same axe over Carolina.
Games like this are what make college football so special, and for the Gamecocks it could be their gateway to program history. Going on the road and getting a win in Death Valley is never an easy task, but Carolina can get it done. If they play to the standard they’ve set the past several weeks, then they may just find themselves in the vaunted College Football Playoff.
