Goals remain for Tigers

CLEMSON -- Though they have wrapped up an ACC title game appearance, the Tigers said Monday there is still plenty at stake Saturday in Columbia -- like continuing their dominance against South Carolina.

Clemson has only lost twice at Williams-Brice Stadium since 1980.

The Tigers have gone 10-2 in the rivalry since 1997 and lead the overall series 65-37-4.

While the win won't help the Tigers against Georgia Tech in Tampa Dec. 5, it will help the Tigers toward being ranked in the top 10.

Clemson hasn't finished in the top 10 since 1991 (No. 9).

Noted Clemson receiver Xavier Dye: "That's rare air up there."

New uniforms debut

Against the Gamecocks the Tigers will unveil new uniforms, outfits offering a slight advantage.

The Tigers will be one of 11 teams to wear Nike's new Pro Combat uniform this season. The uniform is 37 percent lighter than the previous line -- and 46 percent lighter when wet.

They will be introduced to more widely to start the 2010 season.

Clemson is joined by Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and TCU as schools debuting the new uniform this November.

The uniforms will look slightly different, with Nike giving a nod to the 1981 national championship team.

From the release: "The front of the jersey features a simple bold number font with a traditional purple outline. An iconic tiger paw is on the front chest and on the jersey sleeves. On the pant Nike added a bold, speed stripe of orange."

Coach Dabo Swinney's mantra of "All-in" is embroidered inside the collar of the jersey.

Bowling alley

Both CBSSportsline.com and ESPN have either the Tigers or Yellow Jackets facing TCU in the Orange Bowl. If the Tigers face TCU it would be a rematch, the Horned Frogs defeated Clemson, 14-10, earlier this season.

The Orange Bowl receives the first at-large pick this season after replacement BCS picks. Both Web projections have the Yellow Jackets advancing to the Orange Bowl. Both sites also predict the Tigers will earn a Chick-fil-A Bowl bid. ESPN has the Tigers facing Georgia in Atlanta. CBSSportsline.com has Clemson meeting Tennessee.

However, a loss to South Carolina increases the likelihood Virginia Tech earns a bid to the Chick-fil-A should Clemson lose in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.

Feeling a Brees

Kyle Parker's 24-yard touchdown throw to Jacoby Ford dropped the jaws of several teammates, including Dye who said of the play where Parker threw a laser on the dead run into the end zone: "I don't know what Drew Brees looked like in college … but that throw was like Drew Brees."

Spiller a Doak Walker Award finalist

Spiller was named a finalist Monday along with Alabama's Mark Ingram and Stanford's Toby Gerhard for the award to the nation's top running back.