South Carolina Football: Ranking each game on the Entertainment Scale

South Carolina Football’s No.2 Most Entertaining Game of 2023:
Clemson Tigers

It’s arguable that this could be number 1. It’s the rivalry. It was a fantastic game last year, one that, thankfully, ended up being won by the Gamecocks. Fun fact, Clemson lost 3 or more non-conference games for the first time since 2010 last season.The only reason it isn’t first is that the Clemson defense is always stout and this game won’t be as high-scoring as the season opener in Charlotte. Dabo Swinney brought in Garrett Riley to run the offense after firing Brandon Streeter, so the play-calling issues that plagued Clemson last season may not make their way into the 2023 season.

Personnel-wise, QB DJ Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State after losing the starting role to Cade Klubnik, who actually had a worse passing rating last season than Uiagalelei, albeit in a small sample size. Riley should help develop the QB, but it’s important for Clemson fans to allow Klubnik to continue to grow as a player before getting antsy about his performance. Leading rusher Will Shipley, a constant thorn in the side of South Carolina football, returns, as does Phil Mafah, last year’s #2 back.

Freshman Antonio Williams paced the Tigers in receiving yards last season, and he returns as well, but the #2 and #3 options, Joseph Ngata and Davis Allen, both depart. Defensively, however, Clemson should be, as they are almost every year, stout. Their linebacker corps could be the best in the nation, and it’ll be hard for the Gamecocks to run their way past this line as well.

Ultimately, this home game will be rocking. Having a close game in Williams-Brice against Clemson has been a long time in the making, and that’s what this game is shaping up to be. It might not reach 60 points again with improved defenses, but it should be a fantastic game nonetheless.