Fresh from bowl eligibility after its fourth victory in the previous five games, South Carolina (6-5) travels to No. 4 Clemson (10-1) in the Palmetto Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN.

In the longest uninterrupted series in the South and second-longest FBS series in the country, the Gamecocks and Tigers get together for the 108th consecutive year. They’ve been meeting on the gridiron since 1896 and every year since 1909. (The longest continuous rivalry in FBS is Minnesota-Wisconsin, which has been played annually since 1907.)

Clemson holds a 67-42-4 advantage and by all indications should add to that Saturday. The Tigers are a 24-point favorite despite the fact that the average margin of victory between the two teams, over 113 meetings, is less than a touchdown.

The Tigers, on their way to the national championship game, won by just five last season in Columbia.

Therefore, it should be a good one. Here are five bold predictions for the 2016 Palmetto Bowl:

Closer than expected: Don’t know how bold this prediction is. We’ve already laid out the fact that the average margin of victory over the course of more than 100 games is less than a touchdown. Clemson has only won by more than 24 points three times this season; 59-0 over South Carolina State, 56-10 at Boston College, and 54-0 over Syracuse. South Carolina is far better than any of those teams and has already been mentioned, have won four of its past five games. The Gamecocks make this game closer than some expect.

Gamecocks hold Watson in check: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, a Heisman finalist last year, has been held under 200 yards passing in just two games this season. Watson threw for a season-low 152 yards against South Carolina State, and passed for just 169 yards against Syracuse. The Gamecocks defense allows just 189.1 passing yards per game on average and keep Watson around that range Saturday, despite the fact it’s Watson’s final home game. He’s entering the NFL Draft early.

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Bentley continues to shine: Since pulling his redshirt the South Carolina offense has shown signs of life under the true freshman quarterback. Bentley has thrown for more than 200 yards in three of five games for the Gamecocks, including a 213-yard passing game against Florida. He’ll reach 200 yards against on Saturday, and yes that means given the previous prediction, Bentley throws for more yardage in Saturday’s game than does Watson.

Touchdown(s) through the air: The trio of Gamecocks receivers; Deebo Samuel, Hayden Hurts and Bryan Edwards are quickly becoming as good as any in the SEC. They’ve combined for 117 receptions for 1,569 yards. However, among them only Edwards has caught a touchdown pass; two to be exact. Look for that to change on Saturday as Samuel and/or Hurts reach the end zone for the first time.

If “ifs and buts were candy and nuts”… : The boldest prediction of them all comes with a caveat. If the Gamecocks defense can hold Clemson RB Wayne Gallman to under-60 yards rushing — as six teams have done this season — and it is also able to hold Watson under 200 yards passing, they will pull the upset and shake up the College Football Playoffs. It’s a long shot, but the way the Gamecocks have been playing lately, coupled with Clemson’s occasional uninspired performances throughout the season, could make this bold prediction as possibility.