photo by way of Streeter Lecka/Getty photographs
The Clemson Tigers are a consensus favourite to make the playoffs once more, however are the Gamecocks standing within the way of their rival's ideal season?
large Thursday. The combat for the Palmetto State. The State Championship. The Hardees' Combo Meal. The Palmetto Bowl. The surest contention in faculty football. something you want to call it, it's the soccer video game within the state of South Carolina, and it's the topic of our final Opponent Preview of the 2016 season.
We don't should recap the history of this storied 200-year competition (however we are able to remind you of a pair remarkable moments like this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one.), despite the fact, it is price noting that this 12 months marks a unique moment in time for the annual matchup between these two classes, as the Clemson Tigers stand on the precipice of dynasty popularity, while the South Carolina Gamecocks enter the 12 months below the guise of a listless and floundering group with out an identification or a definite future. So many query marks cling over this Carolina crew whereas issues appear so fully certain for the Tigers...however will these things still be actual come November?
If the previous two centuries were any indication, the answer to that would be, completely, "anything is possible."
So, instead of questioning concerning the ultimate Saturday of the season, let's find out what things seem like in Tiger city and what we can predict to look this 12 months.
ultimate season, while playing the media role of plucky underdog fighting for country wide relevance all 12 months, Clemson changed into secretly fielding legitimately one of the most, if no longer probably the most, talented football teams in school football. They did not play perfectly, but played neatly sufficient in the right spots, and played specifically when the lights had been the brightest. instruct Dabo Swinney and his 'family' steamrolled their way throughout the meat and potatoes of the ACC whereas providing up oscar-worthwhile performances towards the Notre Dame fighting Irish and the Florida State Seminoles. After a tough-fought victory against a college and not using a head educate and an exhilarating squeaker in opposition t a group that said college and not using a head train also beat, they persisted their march rectangular throughout the heart of Bob Stoops' Oklahoma squad before falling victim to Nick Saban's army of cybernetic muscle indivi duals. In all, it changed into about as ideal of a season as you could ask for, however the individuals in the northwest corner of the state suppose as although they have got extra space to enhance, and unfinished business to take care of.
final Season: 14-1 (eight-0, ACC).
most effective returning participant: Deshaun Watson.
It goes without saying that Clemson has a lot of talent in lots of locations, however no one on the container should be greater crucial to this group's success than Watson. He'll be, unquestionably, the ideal all-round participant that the Gamecocks will face this season. His accuracy (sixty seven.eight%, 5th in FBS) and usual production (4100+ yards and 35 TDs during the air; 1100+ yards and 12 TDs rushing) have been a massive reason why he and the Tigers got here a win faraway from their 2nd national title, but what could had been extra impactful, and harder to account for, is his uncanny skill to get away obstacle and make plays. Barring damage, there's no approach he's coming lower back in 2017, so can the abilities #1 draft opt for ride out as Clemson's first Heisman winner and with a national championship in his bag?
Prognosis: The NFL took a lot of ability out of the trenches, including the face of their protection, Vic Beasley, and a great chunk of the experience on that side of the ball (together with Kevin Dodd, Shaq Lawson, Stephone Anthony, Grady Jarrett, Tony Steward, Tavaris Barnes, Mackensie Alexander, and others) however they still return an intimidating batch of youngsters, headlined by Ben Boulware and Dorian O'Daniel. They also get the benefit of having stated grasp of the turkey baster, Robbie Caldwell, working with an exceptionally young offensive line tasked with (anyway changing Eric Mac Lain and Joe Gore) giving Watson the room to work and the insurance policy imperative to distribute the ball to Wayne Gallman, Artavis Scott, and the eight million different vast receivers on Clemson's roster.
is that this group more suitable than ultimate yr's squad? now not on paper, however they're stronger at virtually each position than 6 or 7 teams on their agenda, and that they're nevertheless in a ridiculously decent condition to make the playoffs in the event that they exit and make performs on the container. That, as they say, is where anything is viable. The unthinkable can turn up, or issues just don't work out despite your most efficient laid plans, however that's existence. I, for one, hope the Tigers seem like world-beaters a week except for their remaining weekend at domestic. It's no longer doubtless, however, howdy...anything is viable.
My mind is telling me to say South Carolina loses this online game through two touchdowns, but my heart doesn't care what my brain says.
Carolina 23 / Clemson 20
forever TO THEE
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