Gameday Guide: South Carolina vs. Clemson game details, TV info, depth chart
The Clemson Tigers are gunning for another spot in the College Football Playoff, while the Gamecocks are coming to the end of a disappointing season. What you need to know:
What time do the Gamecocks and Tigers play today?
Who: Clemson (11-0) at South Carolina (4-7)
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
TV: ESPN (Dave Pasch, play-by-play; Greg McElroy, analysis; Tom Luginbill, sideline)
South Carolina Radio: 107.5 FM (Todd Ellis, play-by-play; Tommy Suggs, analysis; Jamar Nesbit, sideline) ... See all the radio affiliates around the state here.
Clemson Radio: 1400 AM in Columbia, 93.3 in Greenville (Don Munson, C.J. Spiller, Tim Bourret, Reggie Merriweather) ... See all the radio affiliates around the state here.
Satellite radio: Sirius 136/XM 193
Stream: WatchESPN
Line: Clemson by 27
Series history: Clemson lead to the all-time series 70-42-4. The Tigers won the past five, which came after South Carolina had won the previous five.
Weather: Mostly sunny. Temperature 60 degrees at kickoff, 62 at game’s end.
What’s at stake
If the Tigers win here, they remain in full control of their destiny in the College Football Playoff race. A loss and they are suddenly facing a situation where they could get left out, depending on how things settle, because of a softer schedule.
A win for South Carolina wouldn’t even mean a bowl, but it would put an end to the losing streak in the series and end a difficult season on a high note. Will Muschamp already has one top-5 win this year, and another would leave the season as simply befuddling.
Style points are something coaches abhor, but in the end they probably matter for both. Any extra damage the Tigers inflict would only help their postseason resume. The closer the Gamecocks stay would keep extra heat off them.
The teams, by the numbers
USC | CLEM | |
Points/Game | 24.2 | 45.9 |
Opp. Points/Game | 25.0 | 10.7 |
Yds. Rushing/Game | 157.0 | 260.5 |
Opp. Yds Rush/Game | 153.2 | 109.7 |
Yds. Pass/Game | 232.9 | 282.5 |
Opp. Yds. Pass/Game | 227.9 | 128.5 |
Avg. Yds./Game | 389.9 | 543.1 |
Opp. Total Yds/Game | 381.1 | 238.2 |
South Carolina players to watch
1. Quarterback Ryan Hilinski has already faced Alabama and Georgia and managed to perform well against both. He’ll get another challenge against a top-5 team with another ferocious defense. For the season, he’s thrown for 2,252 yards, 11 scores and only four interceptions.
2. Running back Tavien Feaster is going to be a focus both because he’s facing off against his old team and coming back from an injury. Despite missing a couple games, he’s the team’s top rusher with 625 yards and five scores on 112 carries.
3. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has the ability to be a game-wrecker, and the Gamecocks will need that in this one. He was vital in the UGA upset. For the year, he has 31 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss and a couple pass breakups.
Clemson players to watch
1. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been playing the best football of his career since the end of the first quarter against Louisville, which is a scary thought for opponents. Since throwing two interceptions in the first 15 minutes against the Cardinals on Oct. 19, Lawrence has 16 touchdowns and no interceptions. He is the first QB in Clemson history with at least three touchdowns in six consecutive games.
2. Running back Travis Etienne wasn’t named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award presented to the nation’s best back, a decision that was surprising considering the season Etienne is having. The junior has 1,335 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. He leads the nation in yards per carry by 1.36 yards per attempt and has only four carries in the fourth quarter this season as most of Clemson’s victories have been blowouts.
3. The one Clemson player who is a finalist for a national award is linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who was named one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the top defensive player in the country. The junior has 74 tackles and leads the Tigers with 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also has 12 quarterback pressures and an interception.
South Carolina projected depth chart
Offense
QB: Ryan Hilinski (Dakereon Joyner, Jay Urich)
RB: Tavien Feaster - OR - Rico Dowdle (Kevin Harris or Mon Denson)
WR: Xavier Legette
WR: Bryan Edwards
WR: Shi Smith (Chavis Dawkins)
TE: Kyle Markway (KeShawn Toney)
TE: Chandler Farrell (Traevon Kenion)
LT: Dylan Wonnum (Jakai Moore)
LG: Sadarius Hutcherson (Jordan Rhodes)
C: Donell Stanley (Eric Douglas OR Hank Manos)
RG: Jovaughn Gwyn (Eric Douglas)
RT: Jakai Moore (Eric Douglas)
Defense
DE: Kingsley Enagbare (Aaron Sterling)
DT: Javon Kinlaw (Zacch Pickens)
DT: Kobe Smith (Rick Sandidge)
Buck: DJ Wonnum (Daniel Fennell)
SLB: Sherrod Greene (Jahmar Brown)
MLB: Ernest Jones (Rosendo Louis Jr.)
WLB: T.J. Brunson (Damani Staley)
CB: Jaycee Horn (John Dixon)
S: JT Ibe (Jammie Robinson)
S: RJ Roderick (Jammie Robinson)
CB: Israel Mukuamu (John Dixon)
N: Jammie Robinson (RJ Roderick)
Special Teams
PK: Parker White (Will Tommie)
KO: Will Tommie (Joseph Charlton)
P: Joseph Charlton (Michael Almond)
DS: Matt Oliveira (Matthew Bailey)
H: Joseph Charlton
PR: Bryan Edwards (Shi Smith)
KR: Shi Smith or Xavier Legette, Mon Denson
Clemson projected depth chart
Offense
QB: Trevor Lawrence (Chase Brice, Taisun Phommachanh)
RB: Travis Etienne (Lyn-J Dixon, Darien Rencher)
WR: Tee Higgins (Joseph Ngata, Cornell Powell)
WR: Justyn Ross (Frank Ladson Jr., T.J. Chase)
WR: Amari Rodgers (Diondre Overton, Will Swinney)
TE: J.C. Chalk (Luke Price or Davis Allen)
LT: Jackson Carman (Jordan McFadden)
LG: John Simpson (Matt Bockhorst)
C: Sean Pollard (Cade Stewart)
RG: Gage Cervenka (Will Putnam)
RT: Tremayne Anchrum (Chandler Reeves)
Defense
DE: Logan Rudolph or Justin Foster (K.J. Henry)
DT: Tyler Davis or Jordan Williams (Xavier Kelly)
DT: Nyles Pinckney (Darnell Jefferies, Ruke Orhorhoro)
DE: Xavier Thomas or Logan Rudolph (Justin Mascoll)
SLB: Isaiah Simmons (Mike Jones Jr.)
MLB: James Skalski (Jake Venables, Kane Patterson)
WLB: Chad Smith (Baylon Spector, Keith Maguire)
CB: Derion Kendrick (Sheridan Jones, LeAnthony Williams)
SS: K’Von Wallace (Denzel Johnson)
FS: Tanner Muse (Nolan Turner)
CB: A.J. Terrell (Mario Goodrich, Andrew Booth Jr.)
Special teams
PK: B.T. Potter or Steven Sawicki
P: Will Spiers (Steven Sawicki or Aidan Swanson)
KO: B.T. Potter (Steven Sawicki)
LS: Patrick Phibbs (Jack Maddox)
H: Will Swinney (Will Spiers)
PR: Derion Kendrick or Amari Rodgers
KOR: Joseph Ngata and Cornell Powell
