South Carolina would have to pull a major upset to beat No. 2 Clemson on Saturday. The Gamecocks opened as a 25-point underdog and that number climbed to 26 early in the week.
USC likely needs to be at its highest emotional peak to climb a mountain that high, and that could be the Gamecocks undoing in the end.
“A lot of people get really emotional for this game but that’s one thing we have to control — the emotions,” South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley said.
Take for example the Gamecocks defenders who are charged with stopping Clemson running back Travis Etienne, an explosive but patient runner who will make South Carolina (6-4) pay if its players get out of position.