Rivalry Renewed: Clemson - South Carolina Set to Clash in Palmetto State Showdown
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In the heart of the Palmetto State, a post-Thanksgiving gridiron battle is set to unfold as the Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare for another chapter in their storied rivalry.
This Saturday evening at 7:30, the SEC Network will be the stage for the 120th meeting between these two football rivals in Williams-Brice Stadium. The Clemson faithful are gearing up for the clash, led by head coach Dabo Swinney, who shared his thoughts on the significance of this rivalry earlier this week.
"It's here, finally here. It's a week we all look forward to. It's rivalry week all across the country. If you are a college football fan, it's truly a special week," remarked Swinney, capturing anticipation surrounding this matchup.
Heading to Columbia is no easy task, and Swinney acknowledged the challenges awaiting his team.
"Always tough to head down to Columbia. That's a great environment. Their fans do an awesome job creating a very tough venue to play—but we look forward to the challenge."
For Swinney, who hails from Alabama and grew up immersed in the fierce rivalry between Alabama and Auburn, the Clemson-South Carolina clash feels familiar.
"I think it’s unique from my perspective, coming from Alabama—growing up Alabama vs. Auburn my whole life, coming here to me, it was just more of the same. Very normal to me."
According to Swinney, what sets this rivalry apart is the absence of professional sports in the state.
"Even if you are somebody that moves into this state, you move to Charleston or Greenville, you aren’t going to be able to live in those areas long without going, ‘What’s going on around here? These people are crazy.’ You are going to get sucked into it one way or another—or you are going to lose some friends. You are going to have to make a decision. They aren’t going to let you ride the fence. It just means a lot to this state."
"It’s college football and high school football in the state of South Carolina. That’s normal to me having grown up—not to diminish any other rivalry, but a lot of these, there’s a lot of pro sports in those states. That’s just not the case here. It’s all about college football. It’s an old rivalry; this goes back a long time. It’s got deep roots," Swinney emphasized.
Reflecting on the personal nature of the rivalry, Swinney shared, "When I first came to Clemson, I really didn’t know what to expect. I never lived anywhere my whole life, and I moved up here. I remember going out on the road that spring. Going to all these areas in the Pee-Dee area, they don’t know you from Adam, but they judge you instantly when you walk in the school, and you’ve got on the logo—they hate you. That’s just the way it is. It’s just really personal in this state."
In the historical context of the Clemson vs. South Carolina rivalry, the Tigers hold a commanding lead in the all-time series, boasting a 72-43-4 record, including a 53-32-3 advantage in Columbia, dating back to their first meeting in 1898. As the teams gear up for kickoff, Clemson aims for a fifth consecutive road win against South Carolina, a feat not achieved since a six-game streak from 1989-1999.
The interruption of the series in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic added a unique chapter to their longstanding rivalry. However, with 118 games played, the Clemson-South Carolina series remains the 11th most played rivalry in the FBS, reflecting the enduring tradition and passion that define college football in the Palmetto State.
As the Tigers set their sights on their 125th year of leading the all-time series, the clash in Columbia promises to be another unforgettable chapter in the annals of this fierce rivalry. The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the battle for Palmetto State supremacy awaits.