South Carolina and Clemson prepare for battle on Saturday. The 18th-ranked Clemson Tigers head to Columbia, S.C. for a gridiron clash with the No. 14 South Carolina Gamecocks, who are seeking a third straight victory in the series.
This game will kickoff at 7:45PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN.
The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers enter this clash with an identical record of 9-2 on the season. The club is 6-1 at home on the year, whereas Clemson is 2-2 on the road.
“The Battle of the Palmetto State” is the longest uninterrupted series in the south, and the second longest uninterrupted series overall, having been played every year since 1909. Clemson holds a 65-39-4 lead in the series, which dates back to 1896.
This game means more than just bragging rights as a 10-win season goes to the victor. The Tigers haven’t reached that mark since 1990. The Gamecocks have done it just one time, 27 years ago.
For South Carolina to obtain the third win in a row against their rival, these three Gamecock football players must step up:
Melvin Ingram, DL
Melvin Ingram and his fellow line men must win the trench battles upfront. Ingram and the defensive line must get pressure on the Clemson quarterback. Expect this senior to play very hard and provide leadership on the defensive side of the ball.
He is tied for fourth in the SEC with 6.5 sacks, tied for sixth in the SEC with 11.5 TFLs and he has scored three touchdowns – two on fumble recoveries and one on a fake punt.
Stephon Gilmore, DB
Stephon Gilmore is tied for the team lead in career starts with 38, has started every game in his career. This one could be his biggest as it is likely he will get the duty of slowing down Clemson’s Sammy Watkins.
Gilmore has three interceptions this season and 41 tackles. He will be tested in this game and must be ready. A lot is riding on how he responds to the Clemson passing game.
Connor Shaw, QB
Sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw is 6-1 as a starter this season, with victories over East Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida and The Citadel, and a loss at Arkansas.
Shaw is 98-of-151 (64.9 percent) for 1008 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has six rushing touchdowns and 376 yards on the ground in 97 carries.
He holds the ultimate key to if the Gamecocks will win or not. His play is crucial and he must perform at a high level to help lead his team to a victory.
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The Gamecocks will win this game as the five players mentioned are the leaders on the squad and they know what is at stake. Look for those five highlighted to play big.
Another year of Gamecock glory is in store as USC wins 24-10 as we said in our podcast.
