The South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers loathe each other on any given day, no matter the circumstances—even when the stakes are low. But what happens when the Palmetto Bowl carries the weight of a potential College Football Playoff spot? The rivalry only intensifies.
With the teams evenly matched, this is shaping up to be the most consequential Palmetto Bowl in the history of the series. Who will seize the moment? Our South Carolina vs. Clemson prediction breaks it all down.
South Carolina vs. Clemson Betting Preview
All South Carolina vs. Clemson odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Clemson -1.5 - Spread
Clemson -2.5 - Moneyline
Clemson -135, South Carolina +114 - Over/Under
48.5 points - Game Time
Saturday, Nov. 30, Noon ET - Location
Clemson Memorial Stadium | Clemson, SC - Predicted Weather at Kick
47 degrees, sunny, 3 mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN
The stakes have never been higher in a game with high stakes. While this week’s College Football Playoff rankings are not yet out, South Carolina and Clemson will be in the top 15.
There’s a scenario in which the Tigers can win the ACC via a Miami Hurricanes loss, but the more viable path for each team is to beat the other and hope for one of any number of possible upsets to feel good about an at-large bid.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The spread and total tell the story. Clemson opened as a 4.5-point favorite, but that has since dropped to 2.5 points. The total of 48.5 implies a final score close to 25-23, in favor of the Tigers.
South Carolina’s Winning Probability
CFN’s FPM has finally caught up to the Gamecocks’ strength after undervaluing them all season. South Carolina has a 48.2% chance to win, per the metric, which makes them just 1.5-point underdogs. They might need some help elsewhere to get into the College Football Playoff with a win, but not much.
- at Clemson: 48.2%
Clemson’s Winning Probability
Clemson has a 51.8% chance to win at home, per FPM. Like the Gamecocks, a win would put the Tigers in prime position to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings and perhaps earn an at-large bid in the postseason.
- vs. South Carolina: 51.8%
Prediction for South Carolina vs. Clemson
This is the most consequential Palmetto Bowl in history, and that’s no exaggeration.
Sure, these teams have clashed during successful seasons before—even top-10 matchups, though this year’s game won’t be one. Just two years ago, South Carolina shocked a top-10 Clemson team with CFP aspirations. But for the first time ever, both teams enter this rivalry with their postseason hopes on the line.
A loss knocks South Carolina out of the CFP picture entirely. For Clemson, it’s not much better—barring a Syracuse upset over Miami that sneaks them into the ACC Championship Game, a loss here ends their CFP chances as well.
I’ve had a good read on South Carolina all season. Back in Week 3, I noted that a controversial loss to LSU might ultimately be what keeps the Gamecocks (with a preseason Vegas win total of 5.5) from a playoff berth. Fast forward to now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Clemson, meanwhile, has had a lighter schedule, with wins over just two bowl-eligible teams. Beating South Carolina would finally give the Tigers the signature victory they need to strengthen their playoff résumé.
The game’s outcome will come down to two things: pressure and quarterback play.
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LaNorris Sellers is arguably the hottest quarterback in college football right now, especially against the blitz. Over his last five games, he’s completed 40 of 56 passes for 725 yards, nine touchdowns, just one interception, and one sack while under blitz pressure. Sellers’ 61% first-down rate against the blitz since Week 8 is otherworldly. When he’s on, he’s Superman—and the Gamecocks have been red-hot in the second half of the season.
But South Carolina isn’t at full strength, and Clemson is no slouch. Cade Klubnik has played like a top-10 quarterback all year and has excelled using his legs. He’ll need that mobility against a relentless South Carolina pass rush that ranks among the nation’s best in multiple categories.
That’s where the difference lies, in my opinion.
Clemson’s pass rush has been solid overall but has vanished in big moments. In their two losses, the Tigers managed just one sack combined. Teams like Louisville and Georgia wore Clemson down with physicality, dictating the game in the trenches.
If South Carolina’s run game, led by Raheim Sanders, can replicate that physical dominance—and if their tight ends are healthy—it could spell trouble for Clemson. Sellers will need to maintain his Superman form, and the defense must bounce back after a rare off-game against Missouri.
I’m leaning toward South Carolina in a wild game that hits the over. But truly, no outcome would shock me here. Back the Gamecocks and sprinkle on the over as they look to make one final push to influence the College Football Playoff Committee.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Clemson 26
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