Ten reasons why Clemson-USC games will get more competitive

One enchanted Saturday afternoon is not a trend.

But there are 10 good reasons to believe South Carolina's 34-17 victory over Clemson will add parity to a rivalry primarily owned by the Tigers since 1988:

1. Steve Spurrier has the right perspective this time.

The Gamecocks and their Nation spent too much time whooping it up after South Carolina's 31-28 nail-biter win at Clemson in 2006, marketing souvenirs deep into the offseason. Perhaps you still have that football signed by Ryan Succop.

The Head Ball Coach reminded people about how Clemson doesn't go bonkers celebrating wins over the Gamecocks.

"I think we overdid it three years ago," Spurrier said, "and I think I was guilty of that."

2. Freshmen played lead roles.

Stephon Gilmore played quarterback, cornerback and returned punts. Kenny Miles ran for 114 yards. Alshon Jeffery was South Carolina's leading receiver. DeVonte Holloman returned an interception 54 yards. Tori Gurley caught a touchdown pass.

3. The Southeastern Conference is playing with Monopoly money.

Eventually, the SEC's unprecedented $2.25 billion deal with ESPN will wear on the Atlantic Coast Conference and all other leagues. And probably help South Carolina win back-to-back games against Clemson for the first time since the Gamecocks won three straight from 1968-70.

Senior discount

4. Wait 'til next year.

Seniors starting for Clemson on Saturday: Heisman candidate C.J. Spiller, guard Thomas Austin, tight end Michael Palmer, wide receiver Jacoby Ford, defensive end Ricky Sapp, linebacker Kavel Conner and cornerbacks Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler.

And for South Carolina: Wide receiver Moe Brown, guard Garrett Anderson, center Lemuel Jeanpierre, defensive tackle Nathan Pepper, linebacker Eric Norwood and safety Darian Stewart.

The Gamecocks will take that trade for 2010.

5. The win ranks -- pun intended -- with South Carolina's most impressive in the series.

Clemson was ranked No. 15. A ranked Clemson team has lost to an unranked South Carolina team only four times before: 31-28 in 2006 (Clemson No. 24), 34-31 in 1996 (Clemson No. 22), 26-6 in 1958 (Clemson No. 10) and 18-14 in 1941 (Clemson No. 14).

6. It was the Gamecocks' widest margin of victory since the 33-7 rout at Death Valley in 1994, Brad Scott's first season as South Carolina head coach and Tommy West's first as Clemson head coach.

2-3, again

7. Stephen Garcia has a chance (and the information processing ability) to join the rarified ranks of Charlie Whitehurst and Tommy Suggs.

Whitehurst was 4-0 against South Carolina as a Clemson starting quarterback and Suggs 3-0 against the Tigers. Garcia, 1-0 vs. Clemson, is a redshirt sophomore.

8. Spurrier has a chance (and the know-how) to get over that 2-3 hump.

Brad Scott went 2-3 against Clemson. The late Joe Morrison was 2-3-1.

9. A young South Carolina team with key assistant coaches new to the series didn't panic.

Most Gamecock teams of yesteryear would have wilted after Spiller took the opening kickoff for a touchdown and Garcia ended South Carolina's first possession with an interception.

10. Clemson doesn't have Tommy Bowden anymore.

Like him or not, he went 7-2 against the Lou Holtz/Spurrier tag-team.

One game doesn't count for 10 rivalry wins.

It just leads to 10 reasons why Clemson won't dominate to the tune of 16-5 from 1988 through 2008.

Gene Sapakoff can be reached at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or 937-5593.