Will Clemson football, Cade Klubnik get revenge vs South Carolina? Our prediction

CLEMSON — Clemson football looks to avenge its loss last season against rival South Carolina in Week 14.

The Tigers (6-5) will face South Carolina (4-7) on Nov. 29 (noon ET, SEC Network) at Williams-Brice Stadium.

This year's game doesn't have the same postseason stakes as it had last season when Clemson and South Carolina were vying for the College Football Playoff. Both teams have underperformed this year and will miss their respective conference title games and the CFP despite both being ranked top 15 in preseason polls.

Here is what to know about this year's edition of the Palmetto Bowl:

What Clemson can avoid by beating South Carolina

A win for Clemson ensures the Tigers avoid their worst regular-season finish since 2010 under coach Dabo Swinney when they were 6-6. That year, Clemson lost at home to South Carolina.

A loss to South Carolina would snap Clemson's three-game win streak and would mark the first time the Gamecocks beat the Tigers in back-to-back seasons since 2012 and 2013.

Clemson's defense has been impressive, allowing under 21 points in three straight games, to help the Tigers be bowl eligible for the 21st year in a row. Offensively, Clemson has done enough to win games as quarterback Cade Klubnik has not had a turnover since Oct. 11 against Boston College.

What to know about South Carolina, Shane Beamer, LaNorris Sellers

South Carolina is coming off its best offensive performance after scoring 51 points against Coastal Carolina. Under interim play-caller Mike Furrey, the Gamecocks finished with 579 total yards and were 6-of-6 in the red zone.

MORE: Clemson football bowl projections for Dabo Swinney, Tigers before South Carolina game

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who is a potential first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, was 16-of-20 passing for 274 yards and threw two touchdowns. Despite his rushing totals being down compared to last season, he is still a dynamic quarterback. He gave Clemson's defense fits last season, rushing for 166 yards, including the game-winning 20-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining.

Defensively, South Carolina has forced a turnover in every game except one. The Gamecocks have generated at least two takeaways in three of their last four games.

A South Carolina win would avoid the Gamecocks' worst regular-season finish under coach Shane Beamer.

Clemson has to overcome injuries to beat South Carolina

Swinney announced freshman defensive tackle Amare Adams (ankle), starting tight end Olsen Patt-Henry (patella tendon) and rotational edge rusher Jahiem Lawson (ankle) all are out for the season.

Adams was not available in Week 13, suffering his injury on Nov. 18 to miss his first career game. Patt-Henry suffered his injury in the first quarter against Furman. Lawson suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter when the rest of the defensive starters and key contributors were out.

Klubnik is also not at 100% health as he battles an ankle injury and a quad contusion.

Clemson's history vs South Carolina

Clemson began facing South Carolina in 1896 and leads the all-time series 73-44-4. The Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 17-14 in their most recent matchup in 2024.

The last time Clemson defeated South Carolina was in 2023, winning 16-7. If Clemson wins this season, it would have won eight of its past 10 against South Carolina.

Clemson score prediction vs South Carolina

Clemson 20, South Carolina 17: The last two games between these two programs have been low scoring, and this year's game will be the same. Both defenses will dominate throughout the game, but a game-winning drive by Klubnik will propel the Tigers to their fourth straight win.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson vs South Carolina picks, why Tigers will beat Gamecocks