Here is former USC QB Steve Taneyhill’s prediction for the Carolina-Clemson game

In 1992, Steve Taneyhill, a Pennsylvania native turned University of South Carolina quarterback entered Gamecock lore by beating Clemson at Death Valley in his freshman year.

The legend was solidified when Taneyhill cockily “signed” his name to the Tiger Paw at midfield after a touchdown.

“Brandon Bennett made a long run and we had wanted to finish them off,” said Taneyhill, who now owns the equally legendary Five Points bar Group Therapy in Columbia. “I was the last one trailing the play and I just knelt down and did it. I was who I was at the time.”

The gesture and the subsequent photo taken by Tim Dominick of The State newspaper of Taneyhill, his trademark mullet on full display, raising his hands in victory to the dejected Clemson crowd has been inconic ever since.

“The legend has grown,” he said. “Not of me, but of me doing it.”

Taneyhill, who took over as the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback as a freshman that year, beat Clemson again at Death Valley two years later. He ended his career as the school’s all-time leader in pass completions and passing touchdowns. He also led the Gamecocks to their first bowl victory in 1994.

So going into Saturday’s game at Williams-Brice Stadium, we asked the former play-caller who was going to win. He picked Carolina in a nail biter, 28-27.

“Both teams are having a pretty good season,” he said. “But Clemson has a lot on the line. Carolina can really play loose; they don’t have anything to lose. Clemson has a lot to lose.”

But the Gamecocks need the ball to bounce their way, he said.

“I think Carolina forces some turnovers,” he said. “And as long as Carolina doesn’t turn the ball over, they have a chance to win. But it’s going to be our offensive line against their line and our ability to run the ball. And that’s going to be tough. All four (of Clemson’s defensive line) starters will be drafted in the first round when it’s their time.”

This story was originally published November 21, 2017 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Here is former USC QB Steve Taneyhill’s prediction for the Carolina-Clemson game."