Gamecocks open as big underdog in Palmetto Bowl
The Gamecocks have struggled in recent years against their arch-rivals from the Upstate, so it came as no surprise that the Tigers were heavily favored to beat the Gamecocks. On Sunday, Clemson opened as a 16-point favorite according to VegasInsider.com.
The #2 Tigers (10-1, 7-1 ACC) have won three straight against the Gamecocks (8-3, 5-3 SEC) in a rivalry that has seen winning streaks by each team in recent years. USC won five straight from 2009-2013, while Clemson has won all three match-ups from 2014-present.
The Gamecocks will try to prevent the streak from becoming four as they attempt to derail Clemson's playoff hopes in front of a frenzied Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250). The Palmetto Bowl has not seen a weekend like this since 2013, when both teams entered the game with 10 or more wins and a top-10 ranking. That game saw the Gamecocks ride a raucous home crowd and six turnovers to a fifth consecutive win over the Tigers.
This year's match-up marks the fourth time in the last seven years that each team had at least eight wins entering the game, very much worthy of the prime time slot this year's game has been given.
Saturday's game will be the seventh time this season the Gamecocks entered a game as underdogs. Gamecock have beat the spread in all six previous games as underdogs and have won straight-up in four of those contests.
Saturday's game is slated to kick off at 7:30 pm ET and will be televised on ESPN.
| Game | Spread | Result |
|---|---|---|
|
NC State |
NC State (-5) |
USC 35-28 |
|
Missouri |
Missouri (-2.5) |
USC 31-13 |
|
Texas A&M |
Texas A&M (-8) |
A&M 24-17 |
|
Arkansas |
Arkansas (-3) |
USC 48-22 |
|
Tennessee |
Tennessee (-3) |
USC 16-10 |
|
Georgia |
Georgia (-23.5) |
UGA 24-10 |
|
Clemson |
Clemson (-16) |
? |
