Braggin' Rights Barometer

CLEMSON 24, SOUTH CAROLINA 14

The way it works

The much-anticipated and tradition-rich BRB predicts what to expect from a mythical, hypothetical Clemson-South Carolina game every week leading up to the actual game on Nov. 28 in Columbia. Tools include computers, video, head coach body language and common sense.

The set-up

When last spotted together on a football field, Clemson players struck with "All In" fever looked like they wanted to win and some USC players seemed like they did not want to play. Steve Spurrier said as much following the Tigers' 31-14 victory at Death Valley. It is the nature of Dabo Swinney to celebrate the "competitiveness" of pre-season practice and of Spurrier to pick at the little things. But it seems the glass is more half-full at Clemson and half-empty at USC right now, partly because the Gamecocks face a more challenging schedule.

The vibe

Clemson's defense will be better than even most bullish people think as the classic combo of solid cover corners (Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler) plus relentless edge pass rushers (Da'Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp, not necessarily in that order) often will make offenses one-dimensional, which will make Tiger linebackers look and perform better. That's good enough to carry a suspect offense that eventually might be productive enough without the crutch. USC might be better, too, but games at N.C. State (Thursday night) and against Mississippi (Sept. 24) looked a lot easier a year ago. Suddenly, Ole Miss is a trendy top 10 pick and last time out against a "Carolina" program, N.C. State manhandled the Tar Heels, winning 41-10 on Nov. 22 in Chapel Hill.

-Gene Sapakoff