Our score predictions for Clemson vs. South Carolina
Dabo Swinney and Clemson have a home matchup against rivals South Carolina this Saturday, as the team is coming off a nice 40-10 win over Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.
Clemson, 10-1 (8-0 ACC), heads into rivalry weekend against a Gamecocks team that is coming off a very big win of their own. To the shock of many, South Carolina dismantled former No.5 Tennessee to make this matchup with Clemson that much more interesting.
The No.8 Tigers head into another week as the betting favorite for the eleventh straight game this season, this time around being double-digit favorites. Even with South Carolina’s big win last week, this is a matchup the Tigers should be expected to win this game.
Alex: Clemson- 38, South Carolina- 17
Do you know what is arguably my favorite week of the year? Rivalry week. All across the country, college football teams battle with bitter rivals, producing some of the best games of the season. This season’s matchup with rival South Carolina got very interesting after the Gamecocks after their big win over Tennessee last weekend. Still, there isn’t a reason to overreact to that performance. While the Gamecocks looked great beating down the Volunteers, just a week before, they got destroyed by Florida 38-6. Truly any given Saturday, a team can shock the world. However, I don’t see things as favorable for South Carolina this Saturday. Clemson has been dominant against the Gamecocks, winning the last seven matchups between the rivals. Only one of these games was close back in 2015. Clemson is the far more talented team, and on their home field, the Tigers haven’t dropped a game in their last 40. Clemson’s defense has been vulnerable from time to time this season, but the defensive line should be more than disruptive enough to keep Spencer Rattler from doing nearly as much as he did last week. On offense, the Tigers just need to be smart and take what South Carolina is giving them. As long as this game avoids turning into a shootout, Clemson should win this game comfortably.
Abby: Clemson- 32, South Carolina-18
After the Gamecock’s 63-38 blowout win over No. 5 at the time Tennessee last weekend, the Clemson-Carolina game just got that much more interesting. Despite South Carolina’s offense and quarterback Spencer Rattler coming off of arguably their best game of the season against the Volunteers, the Tigers should be able to put up much more of a fight than Tennessee did just one week ago. Clemson touts the No. 18 defense in the country while the Volunteers don’t even crack the NCAA top 50, so Wes Goodwin’s defense should present a much bigger defensive challenge versus Rattler and the Gamecock’s offense. I see this one being close in the first half, but the Tigers running away with it from then on and making history in the process with the eighth straight win, which is the longest win-streak in the rivalry’s history.
Justin: Clemson-28, South Carolina-24
While I think the Gamecocks will put up a fight, I do think Clemson will come away with its eighth consecutive win against South Carolina come Saturday. Coming off a big-time win over Tennessee last week, the Gamecocks’ offense will be entering the game with the most confidence it has had all year. Still, the Tigers’ defense is still among the most talented in the nation, and with the significance of this matchup, Wes Goodwin should have his unit ready to replicate last week’s dominant performance against Miami. Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense will have wide receiver Beaux Collins back, which should help DJ Uiagalelei deliver some explosive plays. Ultimately, I see Will Shipley, Phil Mafah and the rest of the Tigers’ running game paving the way for a close win over the Gamecocks.
