Clemson Football is among multiple teams with a chance to end their rivals' season.

Clemson could end the Gamecocks' season with a victory in the Palmetto Bowl.

The best week of the year is here. Sure, there's a bunch of food on Thursday, but the real treat is another edition of the Egg Bowl featuring Mississippi State and Ole Miss and that's just the appetizer for what promises to be a thrilling Rivalry Week. 

Like Ole Miss, Clemson will be heading on the road to take on their chief rival in South Carolina. And like Mississippi State, the Gamecocks (5-6) are searching for their sixth win of the season and bowl eligibility. In fact, Clemson, Florida State, Washington, Ole Miss, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia, and UCLA all have a chance to keep their biggest rivals out of a bowl this weekend.

Clemson is 8-5 against South Carolina under Dabo Swinney / Clemson Athletics

It's more than pettiness (though that's surely part of the appeal), bowls represent an extension of the life of your season and your recruiting efforts. Think about it; Clemson could spend December preparing for a bowl and recruiting, while the Gamecocks have to answer tough questions about why their 2023 season ended early and below .500. Clemson could get some extra recruiting material for any Early Signing Day battles in which they are going head-to-head with South Carolina. 

Of course, the Tigers want to win just for the sake of beating their in-state rivals and avenging last season's loss, but winning at their place while sending them home for the year just makes it that much sweeter.