First look: Storylines, betting odds for South Carolina vs. Clemson football game

Madison Hricik
·4 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

It’s here. The grand finale of the regular season. A game filled with the ultimate bragging rights across the state of South Carolina — the Palmetto Bowl.

After defeating Clemson on the road last season, South Carolina welcomes the Tigers into Williams-Brice Stadium this Saturday in a bowl-or-no-bowl scenario for the Gamecocks. To heighten the stakes further, Clemson seeks revenge after USC beat them in Death Valley a year go.

Here’s an early look at the rivalry weekend matchup.

South Carolina vs. Clemson TV/stream info

Who: South Carolina (5-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Clemson (7-4, 4-4 ACC)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: SEC Network

Stream: via the ESPN app

Series history: Clemson leads the all-time series against South Carolina, 74-43-4, with the first matchup dating back to 1896. The Gamecocks are 32-53-3 against the Tigers when hosting. Last season snapped a seven-year losing streak for South Carolina, and was the first win against Clemson on the road since 2012. USC head coach Shane Beamer is 1-1 against the Tigers, including the 31-30 win last year.

Point spread

South Carolina is a 7.5-point underdog against Clemson, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. VegasInsider’s consensus line also has the Tigers as 7.5-point favorites.

About South Carolina

South Carolina defeated Kentucky 17-14 to reach a 5-6 record on a three-game win streak. The Gamecocks defense has forced turnovers in all three recent wins, including two forced fumbles and an interception against the Wildcats.

Wide receiver Xavier Legette became the second-highest single season receiver in program history, surpassing 1,100 yards. He scored two touchdowns against Kentucky.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler was 19-for-27 with 207 yards and two passing touchdowns, marking his ninth game this season with 200-plus passing yards and seventh game this year with at least a 70% completion rate.

About Clemson

Clemson heads to Williams-Brice after a 31-20 win over No. 22 North Carolina, also riding a three-game win streak. It’s the first time since 2013 both the Gamecocks and Tigers enter the Palmetto Bowl with three straight wins.

Head coach Dabo Swiney and the Tigers were eliminated from an ACC Championship bid earlier this season after starting 4-4.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown embraces Clemson coach Dabo Swinney prior to their game on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown embraces Clemson coach Dabo Swinney prior to their game on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Saturday night, the Tigers defense had four sacks, five tackles or loss, two forced fumbles and held the Tar Heels to 4-for-14 on third downs in their final home game. Clemson’s offense had its second-straight game with over 400 yards of offense, with both passing and rushing reaching 200 yards each.

Running back Will Shipley had 179 total yards, 128 rushing, and was one of three players to score a touchdown against the Tar Heels. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was 21-for-32 passing with 219 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Gamecocks and Tigers to watch

USC DB Nick Emmanwori: The sophomore defensive back had an interception against the Wildcats to go with seven tackles and a pass breakup. Beamer said postgame that Emmanwori has looked like “the freshman All-American he was last year.”

USC WR Ahmarean Brown: Brown had a quieter game after scoring his first USC touchdown two weeks ago, though he picked up 30 receiving yards against Kentucky. Brown has been a target Rattler uses to force the defense away from Legette, which will be beneficial against the Tigers’ defense.

Clemson RB Will Shipley: The junior has been a go-to option for Clemson all season long. Shipley averaged 7 yards per carry against UNC, and 5.1 yards this season. Saturday’s game against the Tar Heels was his first 100-plus rushing yard game since the season opening loss against Duke.

Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: Trotter tied his season-high 11 tackles against North Carolina on Saturday and now has 82 total tackles this season. The junior hasn’t had fewer than four solo tackles since Sept. 16, and has had at least one sack the last three games.

South Carolina schedule

Clemson schedule