South Carolina @ Clemson preview
Clemson Memorial Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2009 ) Clemson 17, South Carolina 34
Under most circumstances, South Carolina would have bigger things on its mind. The Gamecocks enter the final regular season game with their reservations already made for the Southeastern Conference championship game against Auburn in Atlanta. But there’s one thing that could put a cherry on the top for coach Steve Spurrier’s team — a victory over intrastate rival Clemson on Saturday.
No. 18 South Carolina (8-3) will conclude the regular season by making the two-hour drive to Death Valley, where it will meet Clemson for the 108th time. The Gamecocks won the game 34-17 last year and will look to beat their in-state nemesis in back-to-back seasons for the first time since they won three straight from 1968-70. Clemson (6-5) has been difficult for South Carolina to beat at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers are 16-8-1 at home and won 31-14 there in 2009.
The game features two outstanding running backs — Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina and Andre Ellington of Clemson.
Lattimore, a freshman, broke Harold Green’s freshman school record by scoring 19 touchdowns this season. He’s one short of the SEC record set by Reggie Cobb of Tennessee. Lattimore offers a unique blend of speed and power. He’s rushed for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Lattimore missed one game with an ankle injury, but was strong enough to carry 40 times for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Florida.
Ellington, a sophomore, became the second-fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 yards; he needed 151 carries, second only to C.J. Spiller. In eight games, Ellington has rushed for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s had 17 carries longer than 10 yards and six carries longer than 20 yards. Ellington has missed three games with a foot injury, but could still play against South Carolina.
Clemson may get the edge in offense, with quarterback Kyle Parker earning the nod of often-inconsistent South Carolina quarterback Steven Garcia, and with tailback Jamie Harper picking up the slack since Ellington’s injury.
Both teams also feature a signature player on defense, too. Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers leads the nation with 15.5 sacks. He needs only one to break the school record. Bowers also ranks second in the nation with 24 tackles for loss. South Carolina’s Cliff Matthews has struggled with a shoulder injury, but has played well since getting medical clearance.
Both teams are bowl eligible. South Carolina’s destination depends on the outcome of the SEC championship game; a victory puts the Gamecocks in the Sugar Bowl, a loss could send it to the Outback Bowl or the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Clemson could improve its destination with a win. Right now most observers have the Tigers headed for either the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl against Air Force or the Meineke Car Care Bowl.