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How can South Carolina upset Clemson? Answer

FeatheredCock

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How can South Carolina upset Clemson? Answer
Nov. 25, 2022


Gamecocks looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to arch-rival Clemson. Here are three matchups to watch:

QB SPENCER RATTLER VS. CLEMSON SECONDARY

Spencer Rattler was as good as a QB can get will need to duplicate last week. He completed 30 of 37 passes for 438 yards and a program-record six touchdown passes. He was named the Walter Camp national offensive player of the week. He looked the part, for one night, as the player South Carolina envisioned when it landed his commitment in December. Now comes replicating it. Clemson’s defense has largely powered the Tigers to what’s still an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. That said, the secondary has shown some weaknesses.

The Tigers are currently allowing 214.5 passing yards per game, good for 51st nationally and sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was perceived throughout the offseason that Rattler might explode and go win South Carolina a football game this year. He did just that on Saturday in the upset win over Tennessee. Can he do it again?

WR ANTONIO WILLIAMS VS. SOUTH CAROLINA DEFENSIVE BACKS

The former Dutch Fork receiver has evolved into a dynamic playmaker for the Tigers, leading the team with 506 yards on 47 receptions this fall. South Carolina did wonders against a Tennessee offense that had blown the doors off everyone this side of No. 1 Georgia in 2022. Cam Smith, Darius Rush, and the rest of the secondary largely kept all-world receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman in check and allowed just four passing plays of 17 yards or more.

Expect Smith to draw plenty of Williams on Saturday when the Tigers and Gamecocks meet. If South Carolina can keep him in check, they’ll have a shot.

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CLEMSON DEFENSIVE LINE

Clemson's defense remains mostly elite in the trenches. K.J. Henry, Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, and Tyler Davis all have NFL talent and have shown it this year. Opposing teams are mustering just over 100 yards per game against the Tigers, good for the third-best mark in the ACC.

That group has also been wildly disruptive against opposing quarterbacks. The Tigers have 32 sacks on the year and are averaging just under three per game. Enter the South Carolina offensive line. South Carolina was excellent against a disruptive Tennessee front a week ago, giving Rattler time to get through his progressions and allowing plays to develop downfield. The effort marked the third-best pass-blocking effort of the season according to Pro Football Focus’ 100-point grading system. The Gamecocks haven’t been great along the line this year. They’re tied for the ninth-most sacks allowed among Southeastern Conference teams (24) and 13th in opposing tackles for a loss (80). If the line can keep Rattler upright and plow a few holes in the running game, South Carolina could have a chance to break its almost decade-long losing streak to Clemson.
 
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