South Carolina vs. Clemson predictions and tips for other rivalry battles in Week 14

South Carolina vs. Clemson predictions and tips for other rivalry battles in Week 14

The wait is almost over. Rivalry weekend is finally upon us.

In one of the biggest games of the weekend, No. 15 South Carolina will travel in-state to take on No. 12 Clemson in the Palmetto Bowl. Kickoff is Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN.

The GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staff shared their predictions for the Gamecocks-Tigers game, as well as other Week 14 matchups from around the country.

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George Bagwell: I think this is a bad matchup for Clemson. They don’t work with a great offensive line while facing an elite defense. They just gave up 288 rushing yards to The Citadel, the most against a Clemson defense since Georgia in 2014, and now they face an extremely efficient run-based offense in South Carolina. South Carolina 38, Clemson 20.

Peyton Butt: This could honestly go either way, so it was a challenge to make a prediction. Clemson has struggled with a few injuries so far, but the two are pretty evenly matched. I think the Clemson game will be a big advantage and boost for the Tigers. The Gamecock defense will need to pressure Cade Klubnik quickly, but I think Klubnik’s accuracy and consistency will be an issue for the Gamecocks. Clemson 45, South Carolina 28.

Elijah Campbell: It’s one of the most anticipated games in the history of this great rivalry and for the first time since I was in high school, I truly feel like this Gamecocks team is going to take on Clemson and win. Shane Beamer said forcing turnovers is a must and I agree. I also see the edge rushing combination of Kennard and Stewart working perfectly to force one of the crucial turnovers and keep Clemson’s rushing attack in check. Give me the Gamecocks in a thriller! South Carolina 21, Clemson 17.

Chris Clark: I think this South Carolina team is battle tested and will have an edge on the defensive line. I expect a competitive game, but I’m taking the Gamecocks to make it on the road. South Carolina 27, Clemson 20.

Terry Ford: USC narrowly wins on the road. The way the Gamecocks’ offense pairs with one of America’s best defenses makes Carolina tough to beat. Plus, USC has been really good all year. Stats to go…ESPN SP+ Special Teams Rankings Nationwide: Gamecocks 42ndnd…Tiger 109Th. South Carolina 23, Clemson 20.

Griffin Goodwyn: Recent history has it that the Gamecocks are expected to struggle when they travel to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. South Carolina has lost three of its last four road games against Clemson, and those three losses were by a combined 88 points. But the Gamecocks’ most recent visit to the Tigers’ home stadium was a different story as they earned a 31-30 victory and faced high odds as an unranked team looking to field a top-10 college football squad -To defeat playoff ambitions. The postseason stakes are higher for both teams in this year’s Palmetto Bowl, and with it the possibility of an upset. South Carolina is in the midst of a five-game winning streak – and is primed for its sixth straight win. South Carolina 28, Clemson 27.

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Tyler Head: High stakes game. Gamecocks must slow down the Tigers’ rushing attack. I think Sellers put in another outstanding performance. South Carolina 34, Clemson 31.

Wes Mitchell: South Carolina’s defensive line has been assertive all season, and I don’t think that will stop this week, especially against a Clemson offensive line that is banged up. The key will be for the Gamecocks to protect the football, not let the moment get too big and just do what they usually do. South Carolina 31, Clemson 21.

Jay Philips: Here we have a game between Carolina and Clemson that is really important to both teams beyond the day-to-day rivalry. The Gamecocks play the best football in the country and will have no fear when they travel to Memorial Stadium this weekend. Based on their form I think Carolina are a slightly better team and if they continue on their current path they should win this game. Give me in a tense competition South Carolina 30, Clemson 23.

Kendall Smith: I could write a long paragraph about why I chose this end result, but all I’ll say is that I think this game belongs to the Gamecocks if they play to their full potential. South Carolina 27, Clemson 23.

Mike Uva: Two teams with strong defenses and QBs that have improved over the year. This should be an instant classic, especially with both teams harboring College Football Playoff hopes. South Carolina 20, Clemson 17.

Jack Veltri: I’ve been saying since the summer that South Carolina would beat Clemson this year, and that was before any of us knew the Gamecocks would be where they are today. I still feel like they’re going to get the job done. They have faced all sorts of adversity this season and handled it well. The key here will be taking care of the football on offense and providing takeaways on defense. South Carolina 34, Clemson 28.

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Chris Wellbaum: Which quarterback do you trust against which defense? Both teams will look to rely on their running game and the defense that can force some turnovers will win the game. Clemson 31, South Carolina 16.

Kevin Miller: In one of the most anticipated matchups in recent rivalry history, South Carolina and Clemson are both ranked and have slight College Football Playoff hopes. The Gamecocks have played better than the Tigers in recent weeks, but the game is upstate. In classic rivalry fashion, this game could be boiled down to football clichés: turnovers, 3rd down conversions and explosive plays. Give me the Gamecocks in a tight form: South Carolina 27, Clemson 24.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt Michigan at Ohio State (The Game) Auburn at Alabama (Iron Bowl) Notre Dame at Southern Cal (The Battle of the Jeweled Shilleagh) Oklahoma at LSU Texas at Texas A&M (Lonestar Showdown) Marshall at James Madison Virginia at Virginia Tech (The Commonwealth Clash)
George Bagwell (63-54) Vanderbilt Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Peyton Butt (63-54) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame Oklahoma Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Elijah Campbell (76-41) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas A&M Marshall Virginia Tech
Chris Clark (66-51) Vanderbilt Ohio State Alabama Southern California Oklahoma Texas A&M Marshall Virginia Tech
Terry Ford (83-33) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas A&M James Madison Virginia
Griffin Goodwyn (81-36) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Tyler Head (66-51) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas A&M James Madison Virginia Tech
Wes Mitchell (78-39) Vanderbilt Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Jay Philips (75-42) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Kendall Smith (68-49) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Mike Uva (76-41) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Jack Veltri (78-39) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas Marshall Virginia Tech
Chris Wellbaum (63-54) Vanderbilt Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech
Kevin Miller (50-22) Tennessee Ohio State Alabama Notre Dame LSU Texas James Madison Virginia Tech

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