The No. 16 South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3, 5-3) are the hottest team in the nation, coming off five straight wins. In their final game of the season, they will travel to Clemson to face the No. 12 Tigers (9-2, 7-1) in the annual Palmetto Bowl. Here is everything to know and look for in a game that can decide who is in and out of the CFP (College Football Playoffs).
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Clemson Tigers Palmetto Bowl History & Excerpts
These two teams first met in early November of 1896, which gave birth to one of college football’s many great rivalries. The rivalry began its annual tradition in 1909 when they began a streak of playing each other for the next 110 seasons, until COVID-19 restricted out of conference games in 2020. Outside of that year, these two teams have faced off every year since 1910.
Clemson leads the all-time series 73-43-4 in the Palmetto Bowl. The Tigers head into this game winning eight of the last nine matchups. However, the Gamecocks won the last time these teams met at Memorial Stadium, in 2022.
Before the game, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said the Palmetto Bowl has, “so much history, tradition, great players, great coaches that have been a part of it, as well. I know how much it means to this state.”
Meanwhile, Gamecocks defensive end Tonka Hemingway also had this to say about the expected rising tensions we could see from the two teams.
“This one, it’s going to be a little different out there,” Hemingway said. “A little scrappy, a lot of trash talk. So you just have to keep your composure.”
Most are predicting a very close game between the two teams; and Fox Sports agrees, as they currently only have the Tigers as 2.5-point favorites. Clemson has had games where they have shown their full potential, but they’ve also barely scrapped by with wins against Pitt and Virginia Tech. Their only in-conference loss was a 12-point loss to unranked Louisville. However, their second loss was to the only ranked team they’ve played all year when they got blow out 34-3 against Georgia in Week 1.
South Carolina Key Players
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers
LaNorris Sellers has passed for over 2100 yards this season and 17 touchdowns. Additionally, he’s rushed for another 489 and five touchdowns more. On Saturday, he will need to be able to play complementary team football with the defense.
If Sellers can lead the offense and take advantage of short fields and turnovers, it will set the Gamecocks up to be competitive late in the game. One more strong suit of the quarterback’s abilities have been his legs. He has been able to escape the pocket, and extend plays. South Carolina will need that asset if they wish to win the Palmetto Bowl this year
Tight End Joshua Simon
As of this writing, there’s no official word yet on whether or not Simon will play. This is most likely for one of two reasons.
The first is that the Gamecocks don’t know themselves whether he’ll be healthy enough to play or not, and he might be a game-time decision. The other is that South Carolina doesn’t want Clemson to know whether or not he will play.
If Simon does play (though likely limited snaps), the senior will be a very friendly target for Sellers to find. Simon has been the freshman QB’s favorite target this season, as he leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. If he doesn’t play, receivers Nyck Harbor and Dalevon Campbell will have to continue their hot-streaks over the last few games.
Defensive End Kyle Kennard
Kyle Kennard has been the leader of South Carolina’s defensive line all season. He leads the team in sacks with 11.5, and has also forced three fumble this season. It’s clear that the defensive line will be of huge important to both slow down the run game and put pressure on the Tiger’s passing game, and he will likely be the biggest X-factor out of the group.
Defensive Back Nick Emmanwori
Nick Emmanwori leads the team in solo tackles, assists, total tackles, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns. He has experience and is playing in his third rivalry week game versus Clemson. Emmanwori has been great all season for the Gamecocks and with one game left to make a case to the CFP selection committee that they should be in the playoffs, expect him and the rest of South Carolina’s defense to go out looking to perform in the Palmetto Bowl.
Clemson Key Players
Quarterback Cade Klubnik
Quarterback Cade Klubnik sits at 2,761 passing yards on the season, meaning a good game should be enough to push him over the 3,000-yard mark. The Clemson signal caller also owns a 29-4 touchdown-interception ratio this year.
The offense runs through Klubnik, and in order for Clemson to have a shot at winning this game, they need very strong quarterback. One of his strong attributes is his ability to zip the ball into receivers who are well covered. However, he has shown he has the ability to throw with touch this season, too.
Wide Receiver Antonio Williams
Antonio Williams has been Klubnik’s favorite and most reliable target all season. With 58 receptions for 689 yards, he is averaging double-digit yards per catch at 11.9. He also has 10 touchdown receptions including two in each of his last two games. Williams is the most important player the Gamecocks secondary has to be worried about, and keeping him in check can be a deciding factor in this year’s Palmetto Bowl.
Running Back Phil Mafah
Running back Phil Mafah surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in Clemson’s last game against Citadel, giving the senior a new career-high in yardage. Mafah also has eight touchdowns on the year. He has been the complement to Clemson’s passing attack all year, and will be important factor in trying to find ways to pick through the strong defense South Carolina has.
Keys To A Gamecocks Win
Get Ahead Early
It’s hard enough to play in Death Valley and it’s even harder when your attempting a second-half comeback. If the Gamecocks can have a fast start out of the gates it should set them up to play well later on.
Running with Rocket
Rocket Sanders and the running attack has aided Sellers and the passing game in big contests against ranked opponents. In arguably their biggest contest of the season, expect Sanders to be incorporated in many ways, and using his trademark power running abilities.
Defense
South Carolina’s defense’s role is to stop big plays, and in doing so they can effectively take the crowd out of the equation. The ‘Cocks can live with underneath passing and short running plays because of how good the squad is at all levels of the defense. The cornerbacks shouldn’t have issues matching what Clemson has to offer at a receivers because they’ve seen better groups this season.
