'One of the most exciting Palmetto Bowls in history' Talking with a Clemson expert

The biggest game of the season is upon us as South Carolina fans, and not because this could potentially put the Gamecocks in the College Football Playoff with a win, but because it is a rivalry game. This is the game fans will be able to remind the other side of for the next 365 days if they win and have bragging rights throughout the entire year.

Obviously, Gamecock fans know how they are feeling heading into the game, but it could be interesting to see how the other side is feeling heading into this matchup. So I spoke with our Clemson site expert Austin Farmer, who was able to give us a little look into the minds of Clemson fans.

Here is how our conversation went.

Q: There has been a lot of talk about this game being basically a "play-in game" for the College Football Playoff, how are Clemson fans looking at this game?

A: "If you would’ve told them Clemson had a legitimate shot at making the College Football Playoffs without winning the ACC, most of the fanbase would’ve looked at you like you were nuts. Now, it’s highly likely they’ll have a spot with a win. In fact, the ACC championship game seems more like a liability. Say, if Miami loses to Syracuse and puts Clemson in the title game, and then the Tigers lose, they’re probably not making the playoffs. And like always, the fanbase is uber-excited for the annual rivalry, especially since there’s so much at stake on both sides of the ball. South Carolina has a legitimate shot at a playoff spot too, if it were to win, making this one of the most exciting Palmetto Bowls in history."

Q: Cade Klubnik has had a bit of an up-and-down season, but he can definitely change a game. What does South Carolina's defense need to look for when playing Klubnik?

A: "By far, the biggest improvement in Klubnik’s game is his mobility. Last season, he was a certified pocket passer, with less than 200 yards rushing. However, this season, he’s already doubled last year's total with at least two games left. He broke loose against Appalachian State at the beginning of the season, and it really boosted his confidence. Two weeks ago, he won the game on an electric, 50-yard QB draw against Pitt. He’s become a legitimate dual-threat QB."

Q: The game against Pitt came down to the wire, but it was the Clemson offense that got it done in the end, could this game be the same?

A: "I think if Clemson wins, it’ll have to be the other way around. Clemson has beaten up on some really bad teams, but when its offense has been tested, they’ve fallen short. On defense, they’ve been solid. There are a few games where the box score looks a little ugly, but in most of those games, the Tigers were leading by 30-40 points at halftime and Dabo put in the backups. Louisville wasn’t great, but Clemson’s offense put them in a bind more than once. Georgia is the only game where the defense was truly beaten up, although, they did hold the Bulldogs to only six points at halftime."

Q: Clemson has only faced one other ranked opponent this season while this will be South Carolina's seventh game against a ranked opponent. Do you think the Tiger's lack of ranked competition will be a problem?

A: "From the view of the CFP committee, I believe it will be. Clemson’s SOS will be the only thing that keeps them out of the playoffs if they win Saturday. As for the game itself, I don’t think so. The talent level at Clemson is still elite, regardless of who they’ve played. They’ve also faced some adversity, so if that arises with SC, I’m confident they’ll overcome it."

Q: How is Clemson's offensive line going to be able to stand against South Carolina's dominant defensive line?

A: "The O-line is much improved this season. It’s one of the best, statistically, at protecting the QB. They’re a little banged up, with Thurmon and his backup Trent Howard likely out. But they should hold their own. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Klubnik go down a few times with the talent SC has on the defensive line, though."

Q: Favorite South Carolina-Clemson football memory?

A: "So, confession, Clemson isn’t my first love in terms of college sports. It’s the Razorbacks. However, I lived in South Carolina for five years as a child, and I hated USC with a passion. At the time, Arkansas played them every year. As the saying goes, “The enemy of your enemy is your friend,” so, naturally, I swayed toward the Tigers. My favorite memory about the rivalry has nothing to do with a single game. In elementary school, we had a fundraiser every year where the school put out two boxes: one labeled USC with a Gamecock, and another labeled Clemson with a Tiger’s paw. Whichever box had more money in it by the end of the day got to play their fight song on the intercom during the following day’s morning announcements. And let me tell you, those kids were passionate about it. USC fans would boo while Tiger fans cheered through the entire song when Clemson won and vice versa. As an Arkansas fan, I still haven’t anything close to that type of rivalry."