South Carolina-Clemson: Game Analysis and Prediction

eases.  Even South Carolina’s biggest weakness, allowing sacks (a whopping 37), doesn’t play to Clemson’s strengths, as the Tigers are dead last in the ACC by only getting to the quarterback 13 times the entire year.

Spurrier plans to rotate fresh legs at tailback, and if the Gamecocks can get any semblance of a running game going, things should open up even more in the aerial attack. 


The kicking game

Much has been made of the kicking game in this series—and rightfully so, as the last two games have come down to last second field goals.

Clemson’s Mark Buchholz has been solid this year, going 14-17.  He also won the game for Clemson last year in the waning seconds at Williams-Brice Stadium.  That kind of experience is always a plus in a rivalry game. 

Carolina’s Ryan Succop has had an up-and-down year, to say the least.  He has attempted an inordinate amount of kicks, 28, but has only connected on 19 of them.  More importantly, Succop does not have that winning, signature kick in his career.  He would love to get that chance this weekend. 


Coaching 

On Clemson’s sideline, Dabo Swinney is trying everything he can to muster a more explosive offense, especially to offset a porous Tiger defense. 

But it’s no secret that Swinney it out to win the job for good.  And let’s make no mistake:  This is Swinney’s Super Bowl.  He believes a win will cement his status as the permanent head coach.
 
But between making out with Howard’s Rock, allowing cameras into his locker room for his first pre-game speech, or berating his punter for not showing effort, I’m just not convinced Swinney knows what it takes to effectively lead a team.  

For the Cocks, Spurrier has had two weeks to plan for the Tigers.  That additional week is huge, especially for a coach who has a knack for winning big games.  Even though Spurrier has always placed a bigger premium on SEC games, a sense of urgency will loom large on the Carolina sidelines.   

The Head Ball Coach has never been much of a rah-rah guy, but he knows how to get his kids motivated.  Something tells me he already likes the holes he saw in Clemson’s defense while prepping for the game. 

I just can’t see SOS resisting the urge to take sole ownership of play-calling duties this week.  And if all else fails, Spurrier can always rest his hat on his stout defense—as he’s done all year. 


Game Prediction

In a lot of ways, I think this game will mirror Swinney’s first game as coach—a noon kickoff at home against a defensively sound team.

Georgia Tech spoiled Swinney’s over-the-top debut by stifling the Tigers’ run attack and making them one-dimensional.

For this reason, I don’t see the trend of last-minute drama continuing.

I like Carolina to set the tone early and take control.  Because the Gamecocks simply can’t put teams away, Clemson will hang around, but in the end, it won’t be enough to pull off the win.    

Winner:  South Carolina, 24-20

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