GAMEDAY THREAD: South Carolina vs Clemson kickoff set for high noon
Nov. 25, 2022
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It’s time for a rivalry game. The South Carolina and Clemson football teams will meet for the 119th time on Saturday afternoon. It’s the regular-season finale for both teams and the first meeting in Death Valley since 2018 due to the game’s cancellation in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s your gameday guide to what’s happening Saturday.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON GAME, TV INFO
Who: South Carolina (7-4, 4-4 SEC) at No. 8 Clemson (10-1, 8-0 ACC)
When: noon Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ABC
Broadcast crew: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath
Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
USC radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (see all USC radio affiliates here)
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON BETTING
Clemson is a 14.5-point favorite against South Carolina, according to the VegasInsider consensus line. That two-touchdown spread is the closest for a Clemson-USC game in Death Valley since 2014 (Clemson -4.5). The Tigers previously closed as a 26-point favorite against South Carolina in Memorial Stadium in 2016 and 2018. South Carolina hasn’t been favored against Clemson since 2013.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR CLEMSON, SC
The Saturday forecast, per Weather.com: “Showers early, becoming a steady rain later in the day. High 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.”
STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
Clemson is on a familiar trajectory this season, with a seventh ACC championship game in eight years on deck for next week and lingering College Football Playoff hopes. But South Carolina is surging, too, after upsetting Tennessee last weekend. That 63-38 win over the Volunteers was an instant classic, USC’s biggest upset in three seasons and the signature win (so far) of Shane Beamer’s tenure.
Consider Saturday a battle of (mostly) resurgent quarterbacks. Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei threw nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions and took a lot of heat last season. But he’s held onto his starting job and led his team to an ACC title game berth with 27 total touchdowns this year. And Rattler, an Oklahoma transfer, is coming off the game of his life. He was 30 of 37 for 438 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions against Tennessee to destroy his opponent’s playoff hopes ... after entering the game with eight passing TDs in 10 previous starts.
The Gamecocks offense was lights out in general, too, with 606 total yards against Tennessee. They scored touchdowns on nine of 10 possessions. Can they keep that up against Clemson? The Tigers are in the upper tier of college football in most major defensive statistics: points per game allowed (20.0), yards per play allowed (4.9), opponent third-down conversion percentage (35%). They also have a number of future pros along their defensive line and 32.0 sacks as a team this season.
Dabo Swinney has been a thorn in South Carolina’s side. After losing five straight to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks, the longtime Clemson coach has won seven in a row dating back to 2014 — and five in a row by 21 or more points. Clemson’s seven-game streak is tied for the longest in series history on either side. The Tigers also ride a 40-game home winning streak into the rivalry game, longest in ACC history and tied for eighth longest in college football history. What gives in Palmetto Bowl No. 119?
GAMECOCKS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina: Rattler has had an up-and-down college football career, but he had his best outing against No. 5 Tennessee. This season, Rattler is up to 14 touchdown passes with a 67% completion rate. USC found success last week by putting the ball in his hands. If MarShawn Lloyd is out again, South Carolina could call on Rattler again to step up.
Antwane Wells Jr., WR, South Carolina: Wells put up a season-high 11 catches for 177 yards against the Volunteers. Wells has been a reliable offensive weapon all season long, and he is third in the SEC in receiving yards. Rattler and Wells have developed a strong chemistry over the course of this season.
TIGERS PLAYERS TO WATCH
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson: Uiagalelei is having his best season in his third year with the Tigers. He’s thrown 21 touchdown passes so far and added six rushing TDs as well. He was benched in the team’s win against Syracuse, but kept the starting job. Uiagalelei is completing 65% of his passes this year.
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson: The Tigers have gotten strong outings from Shipley this year, as he’s produced four 100-yard games on the ground for them. Shipley’s 960 rushing yards are second in the ACC. South Carolina has struggled against the run at times this year, so there could be opportunities for Shipley to take advantage on Saturday.
Nov. 25, 2022
.It’s time for a rivalry game. The South Carolina and Clemson football teams will meet for the 119th time on Saturday afternoon. It’s the regular-season finale for both teams and the first meeting in Death Valley since 2018 due to the game’s cancellation in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s your gameday guide to what’s happening Saturday.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON GAME, TV INFO
Who: South Carolina (7-4, 4-4 SEC) at No. 8 Clemson (10-1, 8-0 ACC)
When: noon Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ABC
Broadcast crew: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath
Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
USC radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (see all USC radio affiliates here)
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON BETTING
Clemson is a 14.5-point favorite against South Carolina, according to the VegasInsider consensus line. That two-touchdown spread is the closest for a Clemson-USC game in Death Valley since 2014 (Clemson -4.5). The Tigers previously closed as a 26-point favorite against South Carolina in Memorial Stadium in 2016 and 2018. South Carolina hasn’t been favored against Clemson since 2013.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR CLEMSON, SC
The Saturday forecast, per Weather.com: “Showers early, becoming a steady rain later in the day. High 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.”
STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
Clemson is on a familiar trajectory this season, with a seventh ACC championship game in eight years on deck for next week and lingering College Football Playoff hopes. But South Carolina is surging, too, after upsetting Tennessee last weekend. That 63-38 win over the Volunteers was an instant classic, USC’s biggest upset in three seasons and the signature win (so far) of Shane Beamer’s tenure.
Consider Saturday a battle of (mostly) resurgent quarterbacks. Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei threw nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions and took a lot of heat last season. But he’s held onto his starting job and led his team to an ACC title game berth with 27 total touchdowns this year. And Rattler, an Oklahoma transfer, is coming off the game of his life. He was 30 of 37 for 438 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions against Tennessee to destroy his opponent’s playoff hopes ... after entering the game with eight passing TDs in 10 previous starts.
The Gamecocks offense was lights out in general, too, with 606 total yards against Tennessee. They scored touchdowns on nine of 10 possessions. Can they keep that up against Clemson? The Tigers are in the upper tier of college football in most major defensive statistics: points per game allowed (20.0), yards per play allowed (4.9), opponent third-down conversion percentage (35%). They also have a number of future pros along their defensive line and 32.0 sacks as a team this season.
Dabo Swinney has been a thorn in South Carolina’s side. After losing five straight to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks, the longtime Clemson coach has won seven in a row dating back to 2014 — and five in a row by 21 or more points. Clemson’s seven-game streak is tied for the longest in series history on either side. The Tigers also ride a 40-game home winning streak into the rivalry game, longest in ACC history and tied for eighth longest in college football history. What gives in Palmetto Bowl No. 119?
GAMECOCKS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina: Rattler has had an up-and-down college football career, but he had his best outing against No. 5 Tennessee. This season, Rattler is up to 14 touchdown passes with a 67% completion rate. USC found success last week by putting the ball in his hands. If MarShawn Lloyd is out again, South Carolina could call on Rattler again to step up.
Antwane Wells Jr., WR, South Carolina: Wells put up a season-high 11 catches for 177 yards against the Volunteers. Wells has been a reliable offensive weapon all season long, and he is third in the SEC in receiving yards. Rattler and Wells have developed a strong chemistry over the course of this season.
TIGERS PLAYERS TO WATCH
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson: Uiagalelei is having his best season in his third year with the Tigers. He’s thrown 21 touchdown passes so far and added six rushing TDs as well. He was benched in the team’s win against Syracuse, but kept the starting job. Uiagalelei is completing 65% of his passes this year.
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson: The Tigers have gotten strong outings from Shipley this year, as he’s produced four 100-yard games on the ground for them. Shipley’s 960 rushing yards are second in the ACC. South Carolina has struggled against the run at times this year, so there could be opportunities for Shipley to take advantage on Saturday.
