Clemson Keys to Victory Over South Carolina

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is just about time for the final game of the Clemson football season and the Gamecocks are the team to beat.

The Tigers come in ranked 24th in the nation in all the major polls with Carolina enters Death Valley unranked but bowl eligible for the second straight year under head coach Steve Spurrier.

So let's get right to it ... what do the Tigers have to do to win one for the thumb?

1. Throw deep. A complaint I had with the Maryland loss was the lack of the deep ball from the Clemson offense. The Tigers lost that game, and I think much of it had to do with Maryland's ability to stop the run because there was no threat of a deep pass--until late in the game. The N.C. State game was different because Proctor threw deep at least three times. They were all incomplete, but the potential of the deep ball softened the State defense and allowed for a better rushing game. Same goes for the Georgia Tech game earlier in the season. Do the same against Carolina, and the Tigers can win.

2. Get two big plays. C.J. Spiller has become the master of the big play. His freshman highlight reel rivals ... well ... that of James Davis. The Tigers need one big offensive play (30+ yards) coupled with another either offensive or defensive "big play" if they expect to win. See key number 1 for a big play possibility.

3. Hold Carolina to under 15 points. I liked this one so much for the N.C. State game that I'm using it again. The Tiger defense is holding opponents to 13.73 points per game. But Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell has the hot hand in the past few weeks, so pressure is key. Rattle him early and rattle him often and the Gamecock offense will hopefully fold under the pressure. Keep them under 15 and I predict Clemson victory.

So there you have it. Simple, right?

The rivalry prediction: Clemson 24, South Carolina 13.

Go Tigers!