USC / Clemson Rivalry

May 29, 2017, 4:57 PM

It’s almost June and the football “dead” time is upon us (other than recruiting) and I am bored. Since I am a graduate of both Clemson and USC, I am very interested in both schools and spend a lot of time reading blogs and websites for both schools. I find a lot of what is said by fans of both schools interesting and many times just down right hilarious.

Just for kicks during the “dead” time, I did some research on the USC/CU rivalry. Of course, CU and USC began playing each other in football in 1896 and have played each other a total of 114 times (17th most all time for college football rivalries – Lehigh/Lafayette is #1 at 152 games). USC/CU have played every year since 1909 – 3rd longest continuous rivalry in college football (Lehigh/Lafayette is #1 – 1897 & Minnesota/Wisconsin is #2 – 1907). USC/CU did not play each other from 1903 through 1908 due to a massive brawl that occurred during the 1902 game. USC and CU played in Columbia every year until 1960 when the game was played at Clemson for the first time – they have played home and home ever since.

Head to Head Info
Clemson leads 68-42-4
Clemson has a 59.6% winning percentage (ties count as a loss)
USC has a 36.8% winning percentage (ties count as a loss)

Winning Streaks in Series
3 Game Streaks: Clemson – 4 times; USC – 3 times
4 Game Streaks: Clemson – 7 times; USC – 1 time
5 Game Streaks: Clemson – 0 times; USC – 1 time
6 Game Streaks: None
7 Game Streaks: Clemson – 1 time; USC – 0 times
8 or more: None

Through the Decades (wins by each team)
1890’s: CU – 3 USC – 1 Ties – 0
1900’s: CU – 2 USC – 1 Ties – 0
1910’s: CU – 8 USC – 1 Ties – 1
1920’s: CU – 5 USC – 5 Ties – 0
1930’s: CU – 7 USC – 3 Ties – 0
1940’s: CU – 4 USC – 5 Ties – 1
1950’s: CU – 4 USC – 5 Ties – 1
1960’s: CU – 5 USC – 5 Ties – 0
1970’s: CU – 6 USC – 4 Ties – 0
1980’s: CU – 7 USC – 2 Ties – 1
1990’s: CU – 7 USC – 3 Ties – 0
2000’s: CU – 7 USC – 3 Ties – 0
2010’s: CU – 3 USC – 4 Ties – 0

Recent History
Last 5 Years: Clemson leads 3-2
Last 10 Years: Series tied at 5-5
Last 20 Years: Clemson leads 13-7

History shows that Clemson has had the upper hand for much of the rivalry but there have been periods (1920’s, 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s) where USC was even or held the upper hand. The thing about history is it is just that – history, nothing more or nothing less. I get a kick out of Clemson fans that think history guarantees that they will always beat USC - they are drinking too much orange koolaid and need only think back 3 years to the “5 peat”. I get a kick out of USC fans that want to deny and downplay the history of this rivalry and what has happened in the past couple of years – they need to take off the garnet colored glasses. Having said that, I certainly respect the right of every CU or USC fan to drink orange koolaid or wear garnet glasses – that’s what makes this rivalry so much fun! The only thing that is certain is the next several years are “uncertain” – CU may continue it’s winning ways or USC may take off on another 5 peat – we just will not know until the games are played. I think one thing is fairly certain and that is it will be very interesting to see how this rivalry takes shape over the next few years with Muschamp as USC's coach - he is certainly working the recruiting trail hard so time will tell.

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I believe it is), then the chickens have only won two of the 10 year segments--the 40's and 50's--and then only 5-4 with a tie each decade. Over a 114 game span, thats pretty remarkable.

Also, since Clemson did achieve a 7-game winning streak, would it not follow they had a 5 game and a 6 game winning streak as well?? Its not reflected in your numbers

But, IMO, the truly mind-boggling factor is that the rivalry (chuckle) game has been played on usuck's home field approx. 75% of the time.....and Clemson enjoys a considerable lead that will not be surpassed in my lifetime nor likely into the coming 4 or 5 decades.....Perhaps to even the historical playing field , usuck would consent to play the game in Death Valley for the next 40 or 50 years to even things out (keeping in mind, of course, 50% of the time, CLemson would have had home field anyhow)

USC / Clemson Rivalry

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Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Were you sitting with

Re: Were you sitting with

You should throw in the forfeits that we refused to accept***

If your decade by decade breakdown is correct (and

Tell em, coot!***

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

2 posts in over 13 years????...

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Re: USC / Clemson Rivalry

Oops. Hit the wrong ### thumb.***

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