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Although a recent loss to Georgia Tech set the Clemson Tigers back a bit, they are still ranked in the Top 25 and receiving some respect from the CFB Playoff Committee. In one of the more solid rivalries in college football, the South Carolina Gamecocks come into this matchup unranked for the first time in five years. This is sure to be a solid game, despite the low rankings.
Clemson is one of those teams that seems to fall to bad luck often throughout the season as freshman star quarterback Deshaun Watson returned from a lengthy injury just two weeks ago before suffering another setback that made him miss a game and sets him as “questionable” for this matchup. If Watson can’t go, the Tigers will look to senior Cole Stoudt who began the season as the team’s starter before losing his job to the freshman phenom. Stoudt has passed for 1,576 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions, struggling to find his rhythm in the offense. Sophomore Mike Williams has been the leading receiver for Clemson, catching 45 passes for 859 yards and five touchdowns while freshman Artavis Scott is right behind with 61 catches for 666 yards and five scores. Wayne Gallman leads the pedestrian run game with just 523 yards and three touchdowns.
South Carolina hasn’t had quite the season they had hoped for after starting the year ranking No. 9 in the nation. The Gamecocks’ 6-5 record has been a bit disappointing, especially since the offense has been impressive behind senior Dylan Thompson at quarterback. On the year, Thompson has passed for 3,031 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes. Pharoh Cooper has made Thompson’s job much easier, catching 58 passes for 921 yards and eight touchdowns while the next closest receiver, Nick Jones, has just 486 yards and five touchdowns on 38 catches. Mike Davis was expected to break out this season as one of the best running backs in the nation, but has been barely above average, rushing for 888 yards and nine touchdowns in likely his final collegiate season.
Defensively, the Gamecocks have struggled majorly this year. South Carolina ranks 89th in total yards allowed and a mediocre 95th in points allowed per game this season. Clemson has been much better, ranking eighth in points allowed per game and No. 1 in the nation in total yards allowed.
South Carolina will travel to Clemson to take on the Tigers at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 29. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
PREDICTION: South Carolina 20, Clemson 24
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
