Dabo Swinney Video: Watch Clemson Coach Own Steve Spurrier

The rivalry between South Carolina and Clemson didn't end on the field last week when the Gamecocks came out on top 34-13. Now, South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney have engaged in a war of words.

Following South Carolina's convincing victory, Spurrier said "South Carolina isn't Clemson," in a clearly derogatory manner. The comment made its way back to Swinney, and he snapped back by feigning agreement with Spurrier.

Swinney agreed that South Carolina would never be Clemson because Clemson has historically been far more successful. He pointed to the fact that the Tigers have won a national championship and numerous ACC championships while most of the Gamecocks' success has been recent.

He even said that Clemson vs. South Carolina doesn't count as a true rivalry as it has long been one-sided in Clemson's favor. Although the Tigers were throttled by the Gamecocks last Saturday, Swinney certainly makes a good point.

Swinney even went so far as to say that it may be 60 years before Clemson vs. South Carolina becomes classified as a rivalry. This might qualify as tough talk from a coach whose team just got beat down, but he has every right to defend his program.

The Gamecocks may be ranked higher in the BCS standings currently and they may have gotten the better of Clemson this time, but the fact of the matter is that the Gamecocks have little hope of reaching a BCS bowl game while Clemson can do so with a win over Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game.

Much of that has to do with the fact that South Carolina plays in the much more difficult SEC, but a conference title is impressive regardless. Clemson is going to be a decided underdog against the red-hot Hokies, but Spurrier's comments could certainly serve to fire up Swinney and his team en route to an ACC title.

I understand that Spurrier is excited about the way his team played against Clemson, but he should really think before he speaks because the sharp-tongued Swinney made him look like a bit of a fool.

Spurrier's Gamecocks may have gotten the better of Swinney's Tigers on the field, but when it comes to verbal sparring, Swinney countered Spurrier's figurative low-blow with a one-two shot to the stomach.