South Carolina vs Clemson Odds and Picks: Clemson Slight Favorites

One of the earliest football games between South Carolina and Clemson was followed by an armed standoff when Clemson cadets took umbrage at an illustration of a gamecock whipping a tiger being paraded through downtown Columbia. Things hopefully won’t get quite as heated Saturday, when the current Tigers are 2.5-point home favorites over the Gamecocks in the 121st edition of the rivalry in Death Valley.

South Carolina enters on a hot streak, having won five straight to put itself on the fringes of College Football Playoff consideration, and covering in four of its last five against FBS competition. Clemson has won three in a row, but has covered in just two of its past six contests against FBS opponents, and needs Miami to lose at Syracuse on Saturday to get into the ACC championship game.

South Carolina vs Clemson Odds - Week 14

Matchup Page: South Carolina vs Clemson, November 30, 12:00 pm ET

Odds as of November 25 at bet365

South Carolina vs Clemson Picks - Week 14

South Carolina has been one of the surprises of this season, at one point winning three straight games against ranked opponents. The Gamecocks were a penalty flag away from beating LSU, and a missed field goal from potentially winning at Alabama. Their defense is the third-best in the SEC and their cover rate of 72.7 percent ties them for seventh nationally, according to data at TeamRankings.com.

Clemson was blown out in a season-opening loss to Georgia, but responded by winning eight of its next 10 games by double-digits—the exceptions being an outright home loss to 11-point underdog Louisville, and a close shave at 10-point underdog Pittsburgh. ATS, the Tigers have been hot and cold; they covered in four of their five games immediately following the Georgia loss, but have covered just once against an FBS opponent since.

Clemson’s schedule, 62nd nationally in the Sagarin ratings, also presents some concern—the Tigers have played just one opponent in the top seven in the ACC standings, Louisville, and lost that game. Their best win is over Pitt, currently 10th in the ACC. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik is a potential game-changer at quarterback, no doubt, but it’s hard to ignore South Carolina’s superior overall body of work.

South Carolina vs Clemson Week 14 Pick: South Carolina +2.5

Despite having a defense that ranks second in the SEC in sacks, the Gamecocks have gone OVER in five of their last six games. Clemson, meanwhile, has gone UNDER in five of its last seven—but most of those totals have been in the 50s and 60s. We’ll take the OVER Saturday against the second-lowest total the Tigers have faced this season.

South Carolina vs Clemson Week 14 Pick: OVER 49

South Carolina vs Clemson News

Clemson was without several starters in its blowout victory over FCS The Citadel last week that it homes to have back for South Carolina. Right guard Marcus Tate, left tackle Tristan Leigh, tight end Jakes Briningstool and safety R.J. Mickens could all return Saturday against the Gamecocks, coach Dabo Swinney told reporters. South Carolina receiver Jared Brown, who injured his hand two weeks ago against Missouri, is expected to play Saturday according to 247 Sports. Tight end Joshua Simon, who was reportedly in a walking boot last week as the Gamecocks beat FCS Wofford, could also return.

South Carolina vs Clemson Prop Bet: Raheim Sanders Anytime TD

South Carolina running back Raheim Sanders ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring, and has reached the end zone seven times in his past six games. He’s a mainstay on the goal line for the Gamecocks, he’s recorded receiving touchdowns in two of the past three weeks, and he’ll surely be in line for double-digit carries Saturday as South Carolina tries to control tempo against the Tigers.

South Carolina vs Clemson Betting Trends