It ain’t a rivalry unless pre-game festivities involve blood (CHECK), fire (CHECK), and a quick look to make sure the Wikipedia page on the series still has a section titled
“Agitation from the Farmers” (CHECK).
The Clemson Tigers lead this rivalry 65-38-4, with the South Carolina Gamecocks winning last year. The 2009 game also meant the ACC Atlantic Division champion Tigers lost to a middling SEC team the week before the ACC Championship Game, setting up many hilarious jokes. The Country Gentlemen have a chance to return the favor this year in advance of the Cocks appearance in the SEC Championship Game, having already gotten revenge on their other major current rival, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Led by RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina has the offensive weaponry to score on any team in the nation. Clemson’s top 25 defense ranks lower than those of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, and Florida Gators — all teams Carolina has beaten.
TV time: 7 on ESPN2.
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