Clemson @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2012 ) South Carolina 27, Clemson 17

Clemson and South Carolina have met 110 times in a series dating to 1896, but when the fourth-ranked Tigers visit the ninth-ranked Gamecocks on Saturday, it will mark the first time both schools have met while ranked in the top 10. Beyond bragging rights in the Palmetto State for the next year, there are heavy BCS bowl implications on the line. The Tigers look destined to reach the Orange Bowl provided Florida State - the only team to beat Clemson this season - reaches the national championship game, while South Carolina could end up in the Sugar Bowl.

The series has been dominated by South Carolina of late, with the Gamecocks winning the past four matchups by a combined 124-54. Two junior stars projected to be top-10 picks in next spring’s NFL draft look to shine in the regular-season finale. Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins leads the ACC with seven 100-yard receiving games and is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, while South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has 23 career sacks.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: South Carolina -5

ABOUT CLEMSON (10-1): The Tigers are flying on offense since scoring just 14 points in the loss to Florida State, averaging 51.5 points during their four-game winning streak. Quarterback Tajh Boyd threw five touchdown passes in last week’s 52-6 rout of The Citadel, giving him 102 for his career. Clemson ranks 18th nationally in scoring defense (20.2) and defensive end Vic Beasley is tied for second in the ACC with 10 sacks.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (9-2): The Gamecocks have allowed 54 points during their four-game winning streak, 24 of those coming in a two-overtime victory at Missouri, and are 17th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (200.7). Clowney had 4.5 sacks in last season’s 27-17 victory at Clemson. South Carolina averages 465.8 yards of total offense and need 375 yards to match the school record of 5,499 yards set in 2010.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Gamecocks own the nation’s longest current home winning streak at 18 games.

2. Clemson K Chandler Catanzaro is second in ACC history in points (395) and sixth in field goals (66).

3. The Tigers lead the all-time series 65-41-4.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 37, Clemson 34