The Tar Heels (11-1) figure to be Clemson’s toughest test in a month after several weeks of muddling through games against struggling opponents Syracuse, Wake Forest and the Gamecocks this past Saturday.
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware, a T.L. Hanna product, said the Tigers’ 2013 trip to Williams-Brice Stadium was the loudest road atmosphere he’s experienced, but when they return to Columbia for the annual Palmetto Bowl against SC, many players are expecting more challenges than just sound.
STYLE POINTS: “Count on Clemson sticking it to SC should it have the chance to protect its place atop the College Football Playoff rankings â” and enhance the Heisman Trophy chances of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson came through with another stellar performance, passing for 279 yards and running for 114 to keep the Tigers on track for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
SC vs. Clemson – Game Line: The Tigers are the 17-point favorites; the total is 55 points.
Clemson plays North Carolina Saturday in Charlotte in the 2015 Dr Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game. The Gamecocks were up 51-40 at halftime and led by as many as 20 in the second half. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has a talented receiving squad, with the likes of Artavius Scott, who has 74 receptions and four scores to his name. Gallman has paced the Tiger run game with just over a 1,000 yards with nine touchdowns.
Clemson was sloppy throughout its 37-32 win against rival SC, but Watson lifted the Tigers on his shoulders and carried them to a win. Rivalry games are odd ducks.
Swinney said his team has overcome problems throughout the season and succeeded, tying the program’s record streak of 15 straight wins by defeating the Gamecocks.
Watson rushed for three touchdowns, a career high.
Clemson will now turn their attention to North Carolina for the ACC Championship Game.
The Tigers faced third-and-7 from the USC 33 and even called timeout while contemplating how a safe play to gain a few more yards helped shorten a field goal try.
Unfortunately, the Tigers were not able to maintain their momentum and South Carolina’s Elliot Fry hit a 21-yard field goal to make the game 14-3 at the half. Kessler’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Taylor McNamara pushed the lead to 40-21 with 6:18 left.
Just a year ago, Clemson had clocks counting down to the kickoff against SC.
When asked earlier in the week what he thought Clemson did best, Elliott mentioned third down conversion.
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The Green Wave finished a 3-9 season Friday night by wasting a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter against Tulsa and lost 45-34.
