Here’s everything you need to know about today’s 112th meeting between the Gamecocks and Tigers from the ‘other’ Death Valley:
When:Â Today
Where: Clemson, S.C.
Game Time: 12Â p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Current Line: Clemson (-6)
Game Buzz: Can Steve Spurrier and South Carolina do it again? The Gamecocks ride a school-record five-game winning streak in the Palmetto Bowl rivalry series and go into Clemson as an underdog. South Carolina’s bowl eligible and a seventh victory not only sweetens the selection pot, but partially erases an underwhelming campaign for the preseason East favorites.
Saturday Down South previews
- Spurrier own Dabo, but is this their final meeting?
- Dylan Thompson’s encore comes at Clemson
- Gamecocks wary of Tigers’ top-ranked defense
- Spurrier’s best moments vs. Clemson
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
Players to watch:
- QB Dylan Thompson
- RB Mike Davis
- WR Pharoh Cooper
- LB Skai Moore
- DB T.J. Gurley
- DB Brison Williams
Keys for South Carolina:
- Close out the game. South Carolina’s outscored Clemson, 75-23, in the second half during the streak, an example of knowing how to finish. It’s an art that has escaped this Gamecocks team for much of the season.
- Give double, perhaps triple doses of Pharoh Cooper. Arguably the most electrifying player on the field for either offense, the Gamecocks have an offensive weapon who can equalize Clemson’s strength defensively in this sophomore. Banged up this week in practice, Cooper’s expected to play and his ability to provide instant headaches is key for South Carolina’s offense.
- Pressure Cole Stoudt and/or Deshaun Watson. Creating turnovers has been the Gamecocks’ calling card against Clemson in recent years and today’s no different. If South Carolina wins the takeaway battle, its chances of winning increase exponentially.
Glaring weakness to watch:Â Defense. South Carolina’s struggles on that side of the ball are well-documented, but are the Tigers good enough on offense to exploit?
Most interesting part of the game: Dylan Thompson’s encore in Death Valley. The fifth-year senior’s first career road start came at Clemson came in 2012 and he dominated from start to finish, enjoying a 300-yard game and three touchdown passes.
Team Buzz: The Gamecocks have won three straight games to reach bowl eligibility for the 10th straight season and another win over their rival would garner serious momentum heading into the postseason.
CLEMSON TIGERS
Players to watch:
- QB Cole Stoudt
- QB DeShaun Watson
- RB Wayne Gallman
- WR Mike Williams
- WR Artavis Scott
- DE Vic Beasley
Keys for Clemson:
- Dominate the line of scrimmage. It’s an element of the game Clemson hasn’t done well during the streak as South Carolina’s rushed for nearly twice as many yards in the rivalry series since 2009. Tailback Wayne Gallman could control today’s game with a big afternoon.
- Find WR Mike Williams. This athletic sophomore’s averaging 19.1 yards per catch this season with three 100-yard games and five touchdowns. He’s better than any player the Gamecocks have in their secondary.
- Avoid turnovers. The Tigers gave the football away six times during last year’s loss, something that can’t happen today against one of the SEC’s top offenses. Clemson’s not built to play from behind offensively and getting in an early deficit would prove fatal.
Glaring weakness to watch: The talent dropoff from freshman quarterback DeShaun Watson to senior Cole Stoudt. When he’s been healthy this season, Watson’s made this offense a dynamic, fast-paced scoring machine. During his multi-game absence, Stoudt’s struggled under center with seven interceptions over his last four starts.
Most interesting part of the game: Dabo Swinney’s ineptitude against Steve Spurrier. “For some reason, God chose me to be the head coach at Clemson during the best era in South Carolina football history,” the Clemson coach said earlier this week. The Gamecocks have been Swinney’s kryptonite and a sixth consecutive loss would really anger a rabid fanbase.
Team buzz: Clemson’s had countdown clocks across its football facility displaying ‘0-5’ since last November. The Tigers couldn’t stomach another loss to the Gamecocks.
