Vegas Odds on The Palmetto Bowl; Past and Present

Various sports wagering companies and fans across the country will have their eyes on the matchup between No. 2 Clemson (10-1, 7-1) and South Carolina (8-3, 5-3) on Saturday night at 7:30 PM.

Clemson opened as a 16 point favorite against the rival Gamecocks in Columbia. Bovada, a trusted sports gambling company, has since set their wagering line at Clemson (-14). 

Let it be known that each time South Carolina has been the underdog through Vegas' eyes this season, they have covered the spread.

We wanted to take a few minutes to look at how things have played out the past few seasons by comparison to the Vegas lines.

Including this season, Clemson has been favored 5 out of 6 times, South Carolina's only time being favored recently was in 2013, a 31-17 Gamecock victory.

The Tigers enter Saturday's contest ranked inside the top 4 for the third consecutive season. Clemson has entered with a record of 10-1 or better five out of the last six meetings. 

The favorite has won and covered in this series just twice since 2012.

2012: #12 South Carolina (9-2) @ #11 Clemson (10-1) 

Clemson came in favored by 3.5 points, and the Tigers failed to cover as South Carolina won outright 27-17.

• Clemson's lone loss that season before the South Carolina game came on the road in Tallahassee, 49-37.
• That night in Death Valley, Dillion Thompson shocked Clemson fans in relief of Connor Shaw. The Gamecocks' quarterback threw for over 300 yards. 
• Jadeveon Clowney also established a Memorial Stadium record with 4.5 sacks during the contest.
• Tajh Boyd had a tough night going 11-24 for 183 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

2013: #6 Clemson (10-1) @ #10 South Carolina (9-2)

South Carolina was favored by 5 points and covered the spread with a 31-17 win in Williams-Brice Stadium.

• Clemson's lone loss that season before the South Carolina game came against Florida State 51-14 in Death Valley.
• The Gamecock victory secured their fifth consecutive win in the series.
• Connor Shaw ended his career at Williams-Brice 17-0 with the win.
• Clemson had six turnovers during the game, including two in the punt return game.
• Four of Clemson's six turnovers happened in the 4th quarter.

2014: South Carolina (6-5) @ #21 Clemson (8-3)

The Tigers were favored by 4.5 and covered the spread with a 35-17 win at home. The win snapped South Carolina's five-game winning streak in the series.

• Clemson dropped three road contests in 2014, @ Georgia, @ Florida State, and @ Georgia Tech.
• Deshaun Watson played on a torn ACL  
• Freshmen Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman and Artavis Scott combined for all five Clemson touchdowns.
• First time in Clemson history the Tigers had a 180-yard rusher, 180-yard receiver, 250-yard passer.

2015: #1 Clemson (11-0) @ South Carolina (3-8)

Clemson was favored for a second consecutive season, this time by 17.5 points. An undefeated Clemson team survived a late Gamecock rally 37-32 in Williams-Brice Stadium.

• Swinney's first career win at Williams-Brice Stadium.
• Clemson led 21-3 early in the 3rd quarter.
• Deshaun Watson finished 14-19 for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
• Clemson wrapped up an undefeated regular season.

2016: South Carolina (6-5) @ #4 Clemson (10-1)

Clemson was favored by 24.5 points heading into the contest, the largest in over 30 years. The Tigers jumped on South Carolina early and never looked back in a 56-7 win, their third straight in the series.

• Deshaun Watson was electric with 347 yards passing and six touchdowns.
• Mike Williams caught three touchdowns in the first half.
• Clemson won their 3rd straight game in the series.

So there you have it, a look back at the last five meeting between the Tigers and the Gamecocks.

They say you can throw out records in rivalry games and that's true. Emotions run high, and it can be a detriment if you can't keep things in check.

The good news for Clemson is that they are accustomed to being in meaningful games. They are used to the limelight and playing in road environments after dark. 

It should make for an emotionally fueled matchup between the Palmetto State rivals.