Gamecocks relishing playoff spoiler role during rivalry week
Beat the east; win the state. A mantra Will Muschamp has pounded into the heads of Gamecock players since they reported to practice in August. The philosophy is simple: take care of division opponents and beat Clemson.
The Gamecocks somewhat did the first part, going 3-3 against the East, winning two more division games than last year. Now, the Clemson game looms and there’s an added benefit if the Gamecocks (6-5) take down the Tigers at home (10-1) this weekend.
Clemson (10-1) is two wins away from a second-straight College Football Playoff Berth and a Gamecock win could significantly derail those New Year’s plans.
“It’s Clemson, it’s our biggest rival,” tight end Hayden Hurst said. “The fact that they can get in the playoff and we have a chance to ruin that would be huge for us.”
Also see: Baseball set to release schedule Tuesday
In Tuesday’s new CFP rankings, Clemson is clinging to the No. 4 spot ahead of Washington and a surging Wisconsin, Penn State, Oklahoma and Colorado teams.
If the Tigers lose, it could spell an end to its playoff chances with those five teams still playing well to close out the season.
Getting to play spoiler is something mentioned this week by the players, with Deebo Samuel cracking a wry smile and saying “of course” the Gamecocks would love to give Clemson the deadly second loss of the year.
“We’re still going to play like we’ve been playing all year long,” he said. “We’re just going out there with a little bit more energy.”
For some position groups like the offensive line, the topic of party crasher hasn’t been talked about.
“Offensive-line-wise, no,” lineman Zack Bailey said. “They’re just another team, that’s all it is. Anyone can be beaten at any time.”
Win the state will be on full display this week with running back David Williams saying he wants to start the five in a row streak that the Gamecocks held prior to the 2014 season, saying fans will remember this Gamecock team for a while.
“That’s the goal,” running back David Williams said. “That’s the goal to get up there, get the win and win the state.”
Also see: Saturday important gauge of where program is right now
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Death Valley, and the Gamecocks are trying to win their first game in Clemson since 2012. It’s a rivalry game spanning 100 years and now it’ll be just the second time in series history Clemson has a chance to move toward a playoff.
The Gamecocks would love nothing more to win their rivalry game and win the state, putting a wet blanket on Clemson’s playoff fire.
“We want to win the game first,” linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams said. “If we spoil their playoff hopes, then too bad. But we just want to go out and win the game and beat our state rival.”