Clemson-South Carolina rivalry more entertaining than ever

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, July 28, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

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The rivalry between the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks is a longtime feud that goes back over a century and is constantly fueled by the fans. If one goes to a Clemson or South Carolina message board or other grandstand, it’s rather fun to watch the sparring between the “taters” and “coots," as the fans call each other.

But to look at the history and records, an outsider who didn’t know any better would think this wasn’t even a rivalry. Why? Because Clemson has owned South Carolina from Day 1. If you compare this rivalry to other famous ones, that makes sense.

Ohio State-Michigan: 57-41-6, Wolverines (16-win lead).
USC-Notre Dame: 42-32-5, Irish (10-win lead).
Texas-Oklahoma: 57-40-5, Longhorns (17-win lead).
Auburn-Alabama: 38-33-1, Tide (five-win lead).

As for the Clemson-South Carolina feud, the Tigers have amassed a 64-37-4 mark -- good for a 27-win lead.

Admittedly, Texas-Oklahoma and Ohio State-Michigan are a bit of landslide in favor of the Longhorns and Wolverines, respectively, but the race of other renowned rivalries is much closer, thereby making for a more enigmatic, less predictable game.

Clemson-South Carolina, on the other hand, is a major landslide in favor of the Tigers. Not to disrespect the rivalry, but it doesn’t appear to be a hot matchup because of its historical predictably.

But times appear to be changing.

Since Steve Spurrier took over the South Carolina program in 2005, Clemson is 2-1 against the legendary coach’s Gamecocks. While that's good for Tigers fans, the combined score for the past three seasons is just 64-61 in favor Clemson. A field goal (or lack thereof, actually, was the case in 2006) in the closing ticks has decided the last two meetings. In Spurrier’s first season, the Tigers never led the Gamecocks in Death Valley until freshman running back James Davis punched it in from the 2-yard line with 5:58 left to give Clemson the go-ahead score en route to a 13-9 win. Needless to say, the past three meetings have been far more entertaining than in past years.

This year it appears Clemson, because of its great talent, will likely handle a problem-ridden South Carolina with ease. In a heated rivalry like this, though, emotion and hatred could lead the Gamecocks toward an upset.

With Spurrier leading South Carolina, anything can happen.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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