Lulu Kesin, Greenville NewsFri, November 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM UTC·4 min readCOLUMBIA — South Carolina football ends its season with an annual matchup against in-state foe Clemson.
The Gamecocks (4-7) failed to make a bowl game so their season won't extend beyond Nov. 29 (noon ET, SEC Network) when they host the Tigers (6-5) in Williams-Brice Stadium.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPreseason expectations were much different for both teams, as South Carolina was ranked No. 13 and Clemson was No. 6 in August and both had quarterbacks in preseason Heisman Trophy conversations.
Coach Shane Beamer needs a win to avoid his worst season at South Carolina. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney went 6-6 in 2010, with this season his worst since.
Will Cade Klubnik injury slow Clemson QB much?
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has battled injuries this season and is not 100% healthy. He is still dealing with a quad contusion that he suffered against Duke Nov. 1 and is dealing with lingering effects of an ankle injury as well.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementClayton White's defensive schemes for South Carolina include a lot of pressure from his front, with star edge rushers like Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr swarming quarterbacks to force turnovers. If Klubnik is less mobile than normal, it could be a weakness the South Carolina defense aims to expose. Thomas has seven sacks and Stewart has 4.5.
This will be the third time Beamer faces Klubnik, which he agreed is somewhat unusual in the era of transfer portal movement. Beamer has seen Klubnik play since he was a freshman in high school, as part of Beamer's recruiting area while on Oklahoma's staff was in Texas.
"He’s a competitor," Beamer said Nov. 23. "You can tell he’s got a great feel for the offense and what they’re doing. Love watching him play."
Against South Carolina Klubnik is 1-1 as the starting quarterback. He's gone 39-of-63 for 380 passing yards, thrown two interceptions and run in two scores, both in 2024.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat is Shane Beamer's record vs. Clemson?
Beamer is 2-2 against the Tigers. He's never beaten Clemson in Columbia and is trying to end a losing season on a high note.
The last three matchups have been close games. South Carolina won 17-14 last year, Clemson won 16-7 in 2023 and South Carolina won 31-30 in 2022. In Beamer's first year, he was shut out 30-0.
Overall, Clemson leads the series 73-44-4.
LaNorris Sellers poses challenge to Clemson's defense
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was the difference-maker in last year's South Carolina win, as he rushed for 166 yards on 16 carries and ran in a 20-yard touchdown on third-and-16 to win the game. Even when Clemson's defense thought it had Sellers tackled, he escaped and extended plays.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe added 164 passing yards as well.
The last three games the Tigers haven't allowed more than 21 points so Sellers will have to be at his best to produce and poke holes in their defensive scheme.
South Carolina's offense coming off best performance
Before the 51-7 win against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 22, the Gamecocks were averaging an SEC-low 20.7 points per game. South Carolina is now averaging 23.5 points, which is 14th in the SEC.
Under interim play-caller Mike Furrey, the Gamecocks finished with 579 total yards vs Coastal Carolina and went 6-of-6 in the red zone. Sellers went 16-of-20 for 274 passing yards and two touchdowns.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBoth teams have had their share of bleak offensive performances and seem to be improving. Furrey's first-half production has been stellar, logging 731 yards across the last two games, but in the second halves, the offense only had 236.
South Carolina's offense hasn't performed well in close games in the final 15 minutes. South Carolina led in the fourth quarter against Missouri, Alabama and Texas A&M but lost all three games.
Clemson lost three of its first four games but has won three straight. The Gamecocks faced six Top 25 teams including five in the top 15 whereas the Tigers only played two.
South Carolina vs Clemson prediction
South Carolina 27, Clemson 20: South Carolina's strength of schedule prepare them well for high-stake matchups and even though Clemson is on a win-streak, the Gamecocks play a complete game to get win No. 5, feeding off the energy Mike Furrey brings to the offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina vs Clemson prediction, Gamecocks to repeat rivalry win
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