National predictions ahead of the South Carolina vs. Clemson rivalry game

It’s rivalry week. For South Carolina football fans, that means it’s Clemson Hate Week. For Clemson fans, the opposite is true. The Palmetto Bowl always has tremendous value in the state. This year, however, there is more at stake.

Both the Gamecocks and Tigers are holding on to high College Football Playoff hopes. Clemson could get in via the ACC Championship, but that would require Miami to lose to Syracuse. As far as both teams can control it on Saturday, a win is paramount.

The two rivals are in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings (USC is 15th, CU is 12th) and are both firmly in the CFP “bubble.” A loss bursts that bubble and eliminates either one from common consideration.

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The national predictions for the matchup are a bit mixed, but South Carolina is the trending pick.

The official betting lines have settled at -3 in favor of the home Clemson Tigers. Since home teams usually have a three-point advantage, this game is a pick ’em in every way.

ESPN’s analytical FPI (Football Power Index) gives South Carolina a 43.2% chance of winning. However, in the outlet’s SP+ model, the Gamecocks cover the spread in a narrow 27-26 loss.

The College Game Day Podcast The duo of Rece Davis and Pete Thamel were separated in the Palmetto Bowl. Davis chose the Gamecocks. However, Thamel went into a close game with the Tigers. Neither Davis nor Thamel were confident in their selection.

National analyst Josh Pate believes this weekend’s match will be a great game. In the end, however, he predicts a win for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

On3’s JD PicKell also picked USC, adding that the College Football Playoff selection committee will have a lot to consider when it comes to the Gamecocks.

Pete Fiutak of College Football News predicts a 26-24 win for Carolina. College Football Network’s Will Helms picks a similar 27-26 win for the Cocks.

FoxSports chooses artificial intelligence for the Gamecocks. According to the AI ​​forecast, South Carolina will win 28-26.

The local media also favors the Gamecocks. Lulu Kesin from the Greenville News predicts a 30:27 win for Shane Beamer’s team. She joins this selection The Stateis Jordan Kaye; However, Carolina wins with Kaye 38:30.

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A South Carolina win on Saturday will make the College Football Playoff rankings update on Dec. 3 and the subsequent College Football Playoff Selection Show (Dec. 8) extremely interesting.

The Gamecocks and Tigers will take the field at Memorial Stadium at noon. ESPN will broadcast the game and the ESPN app will also make it available for streaming.