Clemson
vs.
South Carolina
College Football
Pick
11/30/13
The big Game that everyone is forgetting about. This is a Top 10 matchup late in the season with two schools fighting for a BCS bowl. South Carolina has had the edge in this series as of late and are -5 point home favorites against Clemson with a total of 58 at 5 dimes sportsbook.
The loss for the Gamecocks at Tennessee earlier in the season gets bigger by the minute. Without it, they would be a Top 5 team and already have won the SEC East. Now, they have to wait and see how Missouri finishes its season before knowing their SEC fate. Also because of that loss, South Carolina is listed as the Fourth best SEC team in the rankings, which means likely no BCS bowl unless Missouri loses and the Gamecocks go on to win the SEC Championship Game.
It’s pretty clear what Clemson has to do for a BCS bowl. All they have to do is beat South Carolina and they’ll be a lock. If the Tigers lose, the situation will look a little dicey.
It was pretty straightforward for the Tigers last year as well, but lost in this Game at home as favorites and ended up going to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Clemson is a bit of a question mark since getting destroyed by Florida State at home back in October. OUtside of that Game, the Tigers haven’t had a real challenge in the ACC. Their win against Georgia at the beginning of the year isn’t looking as great either considering where the Bulldogs have ended up.
No matter, Tajh Boyd is still at the helm with 37 total TDs and seven INTs on the season. He struggled against the Gamecocks last year, so it’ll be interesting to see where he has come since then. If Boyd can’t find his favorite target, Sammy Watkins, it could be another long night. Running back Roderick McDowell has been solid in his first year as a starter, but isn’t a Game breaker by any means.
South Carolina’s defense has been a bit disappointing this year, but still shouldn’t be taken lightly. They’ll try and bottle up Boyd for the third straight year.
If Connor Shaw never got hurt, the Gamecocks may have never lost to the Volunteers. Shaw has actually dropped in accuracy this season, but his 20 touchdowns and one interception stand out. since his injury, Shaw hasn’t been running as much so that’ll be something to watch here. Shaw tossed for 310 yards and three TDs in last year’s Game against Clemson. RB Mike Davis rested up last week, but should be good to go here. He could be a big factor in this Game, as he has 1,444 total yards and 10 TDs on the year for the Gamecocks. Receivers Bruce Ellington and Damiere Byrd have combined for 10 of Shaw’s TDs in the passing Game.
again, it’s hard to measure Clemson’s defense as the ACC is so weak. In Games against top competition, they allowed 35 points to Georgia and 51 to Florida State. The Tigers are improved from years past, but will it be enough to stop Shaw and Davis on the road?
The Tigers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road Games, but only 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Gamecocks are 11-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, but only 1-6 ATS in their last seven Games following an ATS win. South Carolina has covered in Four straight meetings between these schools.
89 % of the wagers taken on this Game at 5dimes.com as of Wednesday have come in on Clemson according to their betting trends feature which you can view by opening an account at 5dimes.com.
We’re using this one as a key release.