Game 12 Preview: Scouting the Clemson Tigers

One of the most anticipated Palmetto Bowls in recent memory is now less than 24 hours away.

When South Carolina and Clemson take the field at Memorial Stadium, more than just bragging rights will be at stake. Both the Gamecocks and Tigers have paths to the College Football Playoff, and a loss will almost certainly put both teams’ national championship hopes to rest.

Before the game kicks off at noon on ESPN, here’s what Clemson brings to the table.

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How they got here

The Tigers’ 2024 season prospects looked bleak after their first game. Clemson faced Georgia in the Aflac Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Bulldogs had their way in both teams’ season opener. Georgia bulldozed to a 34-3 victory, which remains the Tigers’ biggest loss of the year.

But the Tigers have gone on a 9-1 run in their last 10 games, with their lone blemish coming in a 33-21 loss to Louisville in early November. Clemson quickly bounced back from its early season loss with a dominating 66-20 win over Appalachian State. The Tigers have since scored 40 or more points in five of their wins — against NC State (59), Stanford (40), Wake Forest (49), Virginia (48) and The Citadel (51). Clemson has additional wins over Florida State, Virginia Tech and Pitt.

The Tigers picked up their most recent win against The Citadel last weekend. It was all Clemson that day at Memorial Stadium, as the team jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and held it throughout the game.

Last time out

The most recent Palmetto Bowl didn’t go according to plan for South Carolina, as it committed two turnovers — a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and an interception — on its first three plays. But after holding Clemson to a punt on its first defensive stand of the game, the Gamecocks tied it with a one-yard touchdown run of Luke Doty.

That touchdown would prove to be the only source of South Carolina’s points that night as the Tigers went on to win by a score of 16-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Spencer Rattler completed only half of his passes (16-for-32) for 112 yards and an interception. Xavier Legette (six catches, 68 yards) and Mario Andersen (13 carries, 35 yards) were the team’s receiving and rushing leaders, respectively.

The Gamecocks’ most recent road trip to Clemson was much more memorable. They stormed their way to a 31-30 victory over a top-10-ranked Tigers team still in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff. After a 438-yard, six-touchdown performance, Rattler led South Carolina’s offense with a 360-yard, two-touchdown showing against Clemson. The visitors sealed the victory with a late fumble on a punt return forced by Nate Adkins and restored by Nick Emmanwori.

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Where they sit in the rankings

The Tigers are ranked in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. Clemson is currently No. 12 in the AP poll after rising five spots from last week and receiving 789 votes. The USA Today Coaches Poll tied the Tigers as the No. 12 in the country with 780 votes. Clemson was also ranked No. 12 by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in its latest rankings.

ESPN’s College Football Power Index (FPI) ranks the Tigers no. 14 with a 14.8 FPI. Their projected record is 9.7-2.5. The team has a 9.4 percent chance to win the ACC and a 36.5 percent chance to reach the College Football Playoff this season.

In ESPN’s SP+ rankings, Clemson checks in at no. 15.

The Tigers are 15th in the Massey Ratings. They are 12th in attack and 26th in defence.

ESPN gives Clemson a 56.8 percent chance to win this weekend. The Tigers enter the contest as three-point favorites, according to ESPN BET.

Players to watch

Cade Klubnik (Junior, quarterback) – Clemson and South Carolina share one major similarity on offense: that much of their success stems from positive quarterback play. Klubnik, now in his second full year as the Tigers’ starting signal caller, is in the midst of his best collegiate season. He has completed 63.9 percent of his passes (234-of-366) for 2,761 yards, 29 touchdowns and four interceptions. Klubnik has also shown some dual-threat tendencies as he can generate big plays with his legs. In addition to scoring five touchdowns on the ground, he has 375 rushing yards on 82 carries.

Phil Mafah (Senior, running back) – While Klubnik is Clemson’s second-leading rusher, Mafah is well in the top spot. The Loganville, Georgia native is the lone Tigers player with more than 400 rushing yards. Across 181 rushing attempts, he has recorded a career-high 1,012 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. A four-year veteran on the Tigers’ roster, Mafah has also factored into the team’s passing game this year with 71 yards on 16 receptions.

Sammy Brown (Freshman, linebacker) – Brown entered the 2024 season as one of the nation’s top freshman players. He was no. 22 in the country, recruit no. 2 in the state of Georgia and no. 3 linebacker in the class of 2024 according to On3 Industry Rankings. Brown has lived up to the hype in his short time with Clemson, recording 51 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a team-high four sacks.

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The road to victory

It’s been a long time since a South Carolina-Clemson football game had such high stakes. Win this game and the victor will have an outside shot at making the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Lose, and that opportunity to compete for a national title could disappear.

While the Gamecocks enter this game as an underdog, they are capable of pulling off an upset on the road. South Carolina has faced longer odds and still managed a victory at Memorial Stadium. But the team still has to work hard to get that win.

One way the Gamecocks can do that is by limiting Klubnik’s and Mafah’s ability to generate big chunks of yardage. Clemson possesses one of the best offenses in the country, averaging 37.6 points and 469.9 yards per carry. match. The Tigers rank 11th and sixth in the country in both of those stats, respectively. Granted, Clemson’s strength of schedule isn’t among the nation’s best. But Klubnik and Mafah have the potential to make their mark on the game if not kept in check.

On the other hand, South Carolina should see another strong performance from LaNorris Salesmen. The redshirt freshman quarterback has been on a tear during the month of November, throwing for 1,142 yards and 14 touchdowns on 71-of-104 passing, in addition to 242 rushing yards and two more scores on 55 carries. Saturday marks Sellers’ first Palmetto Bowl, and it may take time for him to get used to a rowdy road crowd. But this year, the Gamecocks’ offense has been at its best when Sellers has been, too. They may rely on him more on Saturday than in previous games as they deal with injuries to key playmakers.

In the end, South Carolina must not let the moment be too big for that – in all three phases of the game. Rivalry brings with it emotion and the potential for undisciplined play. Even in heated moments, the Gamecocks’ players must remain calm but continue to use the rivalry as a source of motivation.