Braggin' Rights Barometer

Clemson 24 / South Carolina 17

The way it works

All season, the Braggin’ Rights Barometer has predicted what would happen in a Clemson-South Carolina game if the two teams broke schedule obligations and played that week in Columbia. Now it’s time for the real Thanksgiving food and the real thing, but not necessarily in that order.

The set-up

As Steve Spurrier was watching Virginia roll up yards and points on trick plays against Clemson on Saturday, you know he was jotting down reminders:

“Note to self: Remind Alshon to throw touchdown pass …” Nice 34-21 win over the Cavaliers for the Tigers, but not a performance good enough to beat South Carolina.

The vibe

No. 15 Clemson’s sack-happy, ball-hawking defense is a potential nightmare for a South Carolina offensive line struggling to protect Stephen Garcia.

The bye week has not helped the Gamecocks in the recent past, and this time it allowed the Clemson momentum train to pick up extra steam. The Tigers expect to win. The Gamecocks hope to win.

Best sign for South Carolina

One game ago, the Gamecocks played with fire in a 24-14 loss to No. 1 Florida.

Best sign for Clemson

The great Gamecock-killer Tommy Bowden made lots of cash finishing South Carolina games strong. But these Dabo Swinney-led Tigers, unlike Bowden’s, have finished enough regular-season games strong to get into the ACC Championship Game.

Worst sign for South Carolina

An off-day against Virginia only makes Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller more determined to give the Gamecocks fits.

Worst sign for Clemson

It’s no secret the Tigers have had trouble with running quarterbacks and South Carolina seemed to finally let the swift Garcia off the leash a few times against Florida.

The Gamecocks’ 2009 opponent Clemson is most like Loaded defense with a Heisman candidate in the backfield but some uncertainty at quarterback? Sounds a little like Dabo’s alma mater, Alabama, a 20-6 winner on Oct. 17.

The Tigers’ 2009 opponent South Carolina is most like Let’s see … Good defense. Dangerous quarterback. Tremendous game coach.

Probably closest to TCU, a 14-10 winner at Clemson on Sept. 26.

What Steve Spurrier should remind his players

“Guys, remember playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa? Remember Florida? We were right there in both games. Clemson is not better than those teams.”

What Dabo Swinney should remind his players

“You have put yourself in position to win Clemson’s first ACC championship since 1991. Very cool. But I do not want to spend the next 365 days seeing bumper stickers that read ‘South Carolina 24, ACC champs 17.’ Do you?”

Previous scores

Last week: Clemson 28, USC 14

Nov. 9: Clemson 32, USC 14

Nov. 2: Clemson 28, USC 21

Oct. 26: Clemson 27, USC 24

Oct. 19: USC 24, Clemson 23

Oct. 12: USC 20, Clemson 13

Oct. 5: USC 21, Clemson 13

Sept. 28: USC 16, Clemson 10

Sept. 21: Clemson 18, USC 14

Sept. 14: Clemson 31, USC 30

Sept. 7: Clemson 21, USC 16

Aug. 31: Clemson 24, USC 14

Gene Sapakoff