How Clemson and South Carolina win the Palmetto Bowl

Clemson is a 7.5-point favorite over South Carolina, but in a rivalry like this, anything can happen.

Throw the record books out. It's Rivalry Week.

Year after year, we watch as teams that have struggled all year show up in huge ways against their biggest foes. How many times have we watched a sub-par Auburn jump up and bite Alabama? Unranked Arkansas clipped No. 1 LSU in three overtimes back in 2007. Clemson is well aware of those circumstances, as the Tigers watched their CFP chances slip through their fingers in a home loss to an unranked South Carolina team last year.

Phil Mafah has seen his role increase in the second half of the season / Clemson Athletics

For one week every year, the only stats and analysis that matter are how much the teams hate each other and there's no love lost between the Tigers and Gamecocks. So with two teams with equal animosity, what will be the difference in the game?

Clemson wins if: They execute. If all of the matchups go the way they should, the Tigers should win by double-digits. Clemson's defensive front is one of the more elite units in the country, while South Carolina's offensive line has been porous at best. South Carolina has playmakers on the perimeter, but Clemson's secondary is as talented and deep as any in the country. Played straight up, Clemson wins handily. 

South Carolina wins if: Clemson gets cute. The Tiger's biggest flaw this year has been straying away from fundamental football. When Clemson plays sound - some people would say boring - football they're tough to beat. When they throw the ball all over the field and turn it over, they can beat themselves. All it will take for South Carolina to make this a game is a couple of turnovers and Clemson not getting the ball to Will Shipley and Phil Mafah.