South Carolina has a big one this weekend.

The Gamecocks finished up their SEC slate Saturday with a win over the Kentucky Wildcats, 17-14. Shane Beamer and Co. have now won 3 straight after starting the season a dreadful 2-6.

But even after all their work to get here, South Carolina still needs one more win to crack bowl eligibility. As if they needed anything else to fight for in 2023’s edition of the Palmetto Bowl.

The Gamecocks snapped a 7-game losing streak to the Clemson Tigers last season following an equally huge win over Tennessee. In doing so, South Carolina kicked both teams out of contention for the College Football Playoff.

South Carolina won’t be able to spoil any such hopes this season. Clemson has stiffened up to end the year but sits at just 7-4 after some early-season setbacks against the likes of Duke, Florida State, Miami and NC State.

ESPN’s FPI gives the Tigers a 65.4% chance of victory on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

The QB battle will be a major part of this one. South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik have had similar seasons this year, both sitting at 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Rattler has shown he can be more explosive, and the Gamecocks will need some of that playmaking to pull off the upset.

Let’s see if the Gamecocks can go bowling.