Here we go Tiger fans! This is the week many have been waiting for all season long. The Palmetto Bowl is here. Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving with the family. Many of you out there have families with fans of both schools, which makes this rivalry fun.
The football aspect of the rivalry pits 8-3 South Carolina against our 9-2 Clemson Tigers at Death Valley on Saturday afternoon. Not many “pundits” are giving the Tigers much of a chance, as the SEC narrative is in full spin mode this week. Many talking heads are trying very hard to spin a three-loss SEC team into something of value. The reality is, the SEC is a really good conference, but just not as good as it usually is. What may be even more true is that South Carolina is playing as well as any in the conference, at least these last six or so weeks.
The Citadel was able to gash the Clemson defense last weekend on the ground. A minor blemish in an otherwise tremendous performance by the Tigers against the over-matched Bulldogs.
We all know who this week’s opponent is. Our feathered “friends” from the midlands, the South Carolina Gamecocks
Here is your preview of Clemson’s Rivalry Week Opponent, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3; 5-3 Southeastern Conference)
Head Coach: Shane Beamer (4th Season)
Location: Death Valley, Clemson, SC
Time: Noon
Wins against: Old Dominion, Kentucky, Akron, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Wofford
Losses against: LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama
Offense
Offensive Coordinator – Dowell Loggains (2nd Season)
Dowell Loggains took the reins a year ago to mixed reviews. He had Spencer Rattler at his disposal but not much else. They struggled offensively in Loggains first season as coordinator, likely because of offensive line issues. Fast forward a season, and a few key portal additions, adding to the emergence of a high-quality quarterback, and the offense has found success running the football and timely passes through the air to be a really scary offensive unit. There is still issues on the offensive line (38 sacks given up), but the Gamecocks have been able to score in bunches in recent weeks.
The Gamecocks are averaging 407.3 total yards per game (50th), with 225.5 (70th) coming through the air and 181.8 (38th) on the ground. The Gamecocks have scored 32.9 points per game (T-32nd).
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Gamecocks on offense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | LaNorris Sellers (16) | RS Freshman | 159-244, 2110 yds. 17 TDs, 6 Ints; 139 rushes, 489 yds, 5 TDs |
| Running Back | Raheim Sanders (5) | Senior | 165 rush, 821 yds, 11 TDs; 24 catches, 268 yds, 2 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Nyck Harbor (8) | Sophomore | 19 catches, 264 yds, 3 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Mazeo Bennett Jr. (3) | Freshman | 28 catches, 324 yds, 3 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Gage Larvadain (7) | Senior | 17 catches, 213 yds, TD |
| Wide Receiver | Dalevon Campbell (15) | Sixth Year | 11 catches, 252 yds |
| Tight End | Joshua Simon (6) | Sixth Year | 31 catches, 433 yds, 6 TDs |
| Left Tackle | Josian Thompson (74) | Freshman | |
| Left Guard | Kamaar Bell (52) | Sixth Year | |
| Center | Vershon Lee (53) | RS Senior | |
| Right Guard | Torricelli Simpkins III (76) | RS Senior | |
| Right Tackle | Cason Henry (75) | RS Sophomore |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Clayton White (4th Year)
Gifted two of the most talented defensive ends in the country, Clayton White leads a very talented defensive unit. One of the most feared in all of college football, White brings his attacking style. He’s been afforded great defensive line play which allows his defensive backs and linebackers to play free and loose. Coach White plays mostly a 4-2-5 look and brings pressures from all over the field when needed.
South Carolina is allowing 18.2 points per game to their opponents (14th). They allow a total of 303.6 yards per game (13th), 103.4 on the ground (12th) and 200.3 (42nd).
Here is a look at the projected starters along with their statistics for the Gamecock defense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDGE | Kyle Kennard (5) | Sixth Year | 28 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR |
| Defensive Tackle | Tonka Hemingway (91) | Sixth Year | 21 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 sacks, FF, FR |
| Defensive Tackle | Alex Huntley (95) | RS Senior | 13 tackles, 2 TFLs, sack |
| EDGE | Dylan Stewart (6) | Freshman | 19 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 FF, FR |
| Middle Linebacker | Demetrius Knight Jr. (17) | Sixth Year | 65 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 FF |
| Weakside Linebacker | Debo Williams (0) | RS Senior | 58 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, FR |
| Cornerback | O’Donnell Fortune (3) | RS Senior | 38 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 Ints, FF |
| Cornerback | Judge Collier (20) | Sophomore | 23 tackles, 3 TFLs |
| Strong Safety | DQ Smith (1) | Junior | 31 tackles, Int, FF |
| Free Safety | Nick Emmanwori (7) | Junior | 76 tackles, 3 TFLs, 4 Ints |
| Nickleback | Jalon Kilgore (24) | Sophomore | 41 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, 4 Ints |
South Carolina is a +3 in turnover margin on the season and has 20 takeaways with 12 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries.
They have 17 turnovers on offense, 11 fumbles and 6 interceptions on the season.
Special Teams
Here is a look at the projected starters on Special Teams for South Carolina: .
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Alex Herrera (40) | Sixth Year | 13-18; 72%; long of 46 yds |
| Punter | Kai Kroeger (39) | Sixth Year | 40 punts, 47.8 yd avg. long of 75 yds |
| Punt Returner | Juju McDowell (0) | Senior | 13 att. 52 yds. Long of 13 yds. |
| Kick Returner | Juju McDowell (0) | Senior | 14 att. 257 yds, 18.4 yd avg. Long of 28 yds |
Summary
Clemson is currently ranked 12th in the CFP Poll. South Carolina is currently ranked 15th in the same poll. This game has playoff implications. It is virtually a play-in game for the winner. The Tigers can still get to the ACC Championship game with some help (Syracuse has to beat Miami at the Dome). This is South Carolina’s chance to make the playoff. Wow!
Clemson has had a shot at ranked teams this year and did not look good in either game, losing to Georgia and Louisville. This is an opportunity to beat one of the hottest teams in the country, in a rivalry game. I am not seeing many “experts” expecting the Tigers to win. But what do they know?
Clemson needs to stop the run and get the running game established against this top 20 defense. Cannot play for the biggest trophy without winning the state championship.
