Clemson vs USC Preview and Prediction |
Hatred. Taunting. Unbridled anger and even sporadic violence.
And that's just in the parking lot. Once again, the War Within The State is upon us. QUARTERBACKS- Early indications have Woodrow Dantzler getting the starting nod for Clemson despite a gimpy ankle. Who will finish the game at quarterback for the Tigers appears to be the real question, particularly considering that Dantzler has been spotted around the Clemson campus with a still-noticeable limp. In short, Willie Simmons seems certain to see action behind center; the question will be just how much. For South Carolina, Phil Petty has bounced back from a dismal 1999 season to lead the Gamecocks to respectability. With over 1900 yards passing and seven touchdowns, the 6-3 junior has found comfort in Lou Holtz' new spread offense. Advantage: Clemson RUNNING BACKS- South Carolina's Derek Watson has blossomed into an All-SEC caliber running back in just his second season, averaging over 91-yards per game and an impressive 5.7 yards per attempt with ten touchdowns. In direct contrast to the elusive Watson, backup Andrew Pinnock is bruising, straight-ahead runner who gave the Tigers fits last year in Columbia. While Clemson's Travis Zachery may not have Watson's breakaway speed or Pinnock's size and strength, Clemson's junior tailback has been a star in his own right, averaging 93 yards per game with 12 touchdowns. Advantage: Even CLEMSON RECEIVERS VS. SOUTH CAROLINA SECONDARY- While the Gamecocks have been tough against the pass all year (194 yards per-game allowed), Clemson's Rod Gardner gives the Tigers a slight edge in this category. Should the Gamecocks be unable to stop the 6-3 senior on fade routes, a repeat of last year's game could be in the cards. Advantage: Clemson SOUTH CAROLINA RECEIVERS VS. CLEMSON SECONDARY- The Tiger defensive backfield has looked sickly over its last two games, allowing 961 yards-nearly 2/3 of a mile- in passing yardage to Georgia Tech and Florida State. Led by senior Jermaile Kelly, the Gamecocks have adequate ability to make things even worse for Clemson's battered secondary. Advantage: South Carolina CLEMSON OFFENSIVE LINE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LINE- South Carolina has held opponents to under 104 yards per game on the ground. That combined with a fierce Gamecock pass rush could make things difficult for the Tiger offensive line. Advantage: South Carolina SOUTH CAROLINA OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CLEMSON DEFENSIVE LINE- Clemson's troubles in stopping the forward pass over the past few weeks can be partially attributed to a Tiger defensive line that has been positively inept at applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks. While Clemson has been tough against the run, it will be paramount for the Tigers to find some semblance of a pass rush to slow down Petty and the Gamecock offense. Advantage: South Carolina LINEBACKERS- Last year in Columbia, Keith Adams almost single-handedly derailed the Gamecock offense with 27 tackles, with a number of those hits coming at the expense of Petty. Thanks to a concussion suffered this week in practice, Adams' availability for Saturday's game remains in question. Advantage: Clemson (without Adams: Even) SPECIAL TEAMS- Both the Gamecocks and the Tigers have struggled with field goals in 2000 while each team has proven to be explosive on punt and kick returns. Advantage: Even COACHING- The job that Lou Holtz has done in just his second year at South Carolina has been nothing short of miraculous. Just a few months removed from being the laughingstock of college football, the bowl-bound Gamecocks now head into Death Valley with a bit of a swagger. Somewhat overshadowed by South Carolina's turnaround has been the job that Tommy Bowden has done at Clemson. The foundation, it seems, has been laid and the Tiger program appears to be on the verge of greatness in the not too distant future. With the way things are shaping up, the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry appears to be headed to the national forefront in the years to come. Advantage: Even PREDICTION- Clemson- 28 South Carolina- 27
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