No. 4 Clemson can finish their regular season on a high note when they host their rivals South Carolina on Saturday night. The Tigers are deep in the Playoff hunt, and have the inside track on snagging one of the four spots. They can’t afford another loss, though, and I’m sure South Carolina would love to ruin the Tigers’ season when they’re so close to getting into the Playoff for the second straight year.
South Carolina vs. Clemson 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Can the Gamecocks ruin their rivals’ Playoff hopes?
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson has lived dangerously this year, struggling against teams that they would have otherwise blown out last year. They’re still immensely talented, though, and are only a last-second Pitt field goal away from still being undefeated. They’re still in the top 10 in both offensive and defense S&P+, so even if they’re not quite on the same level as last year, they’re still incredibly dangerous.
South Carolina, meanwhile, was predicted to be maybe the worst team in the SEC this year. And yes, it hasn't been very pretty, but the Gamecocks clawed their way back after a 2-4 start to become bowl eligible in Will Muschamp's first year in charge in Columbia. The defense has played admirably, and installing true freshman Jake Bentley as the starting quarterback has the future looking brighter than most predicted for South Carolina.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: South Carolina | Clemson
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Clemson is favored by 24 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Garnet and Black Attack for South Carolina fans and Shakin’ the Southland for Clemson fans.
Three big things to know
1. Wayne Gallman has struggled to follow up his amazing 2015 season, and only has 831 rushing yards on the season so far. However, he did have his best game of the season last week against Wake Forest, and it would be wonderful for Clemson if he was rounding into form in time for the postseason.
2. South Carolina’s march to unlikely bowl eligibility has been fueled by freshman quarterback Jake Bentley. The Gamecocks have gone 4-1 since he took over as the starter against UMass, and he hasn’t looked at all like a freshman, completing over 66% of his passes and throwing six touchdowns to only one interception.
3. This will be Deshaun Watson’s final game against South Carolina, since he’s leaving for the NFL after the season. He can go 3-0 against them with a win, and considering it wasn’t so long ago that South Carolina had won five straight in this series, that’s a nice accomplishment to add to his immense list.
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