Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Odds, College Football Pick

South Carolina is 5-1 both straight up and against the spread over the last six rivalry battles with Clemson, but the Tigers took last year's game and are playing for huge stakes this year heading into the 113th edition of the Palmetto Bowl Saturday afternoon in Columbia.

Point spread: The Tigers opened as 15.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 46.6-17.4 Tigers

Why the Clemson Tigers can cover the spread

Clemson extended its winning streak to 14 games last week with a 33-13 victory over Wake Forest. The Tigers, as four-touchdown favorites, scored on their opening drive of the game and led 20-0 after one quarter and 33-7 after three, but they put the brakes on in the fourth and declined to cover.

On the day, Clemson outgained the Demon Deacons by a lopsided 552-152 margin but committed four turnovers, which played a part in the ATS outcome. The Tigers have now outgained every opponent this season except one, seven of them by 200 yards or more.

Clemson is already headed to the ACC Championship Game, and a berth in the College Football Playoff could follow. But none of that will matter if the Tigers slip up this week.

Why the South Carolina Gamecocks can cover the spread

The one thing about hitting rock bottom is there's nowhere to go but up, and that's the attitude South Carolina should take after getting upset last week at home by The Citadel 23-22.

The Gamecocks fell down early 14-3, battled back and led by five points midway through the fourth quarter. They fell back down on a long Bulldogs touchdown run, then had a 90-yard catch-and-sprint score of their own in the last minute negated due to a penalty, sealing their fate.

On the day, South Carolina outgained The Citadel 439-387, and almost a third of the Bulldogs' yards came on two long scoring plays. The Gamecocks are now 1-4 SU since head coach Steve Spurrier stepped down but 3-2 ATS. And those four losses were by an average of five points per game.

The Gamecocks are struggling through a lost season, but the one thing that could save it is an earth-shattering upset of their hated rival, who also happens to be the top-ranked team in the country.

Smart pick

Clemson appears on its way to the College Football Playoff, while South Carolina just got upset by an FCS team. But the Tigers are 0-3 ATS over their last three games, as big spreads have taken their toll, and this is a rivalry game. Take the Gamecocks, plus the points.

Betting trends

Clemson is 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six games against South Carolina.

South Carolina is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games after losing as a favorite.

Clemson is 14-0 SU in its last 14 games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.