Bragging Rights Barometer

Clemson 27 / South Carolina 24

The way it works

The user-friendly BRB predicts what to expect from a hypothetical Clemson-South Carolina game every week leading up to the actual game on Nov.

28 in Columbia. Tools usually include computers and guessing.

The set-up

The first BRB flip-flop since Sept. 28, and it’s not so much about South Carolina slipping, though coming too close to losing three in a row to Vanderbilt is never good. But what a difference a fortnight makes for Clemson. Two weeks ago, head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Billy Napier had to answer (or dodge) questions about what went wrong at lowly Maryland. Saturday at No. 8 Miami, they were explaining the genius behind a game-winning, drawn-in-the-dirt touchdown pass play to Jacoby Ford.

The vibe

C.J. Spiller vows not to let fellow Tigers “get complacent” against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers are coming off a loss at Stony Brook and even in all-black uniforms against all-orange Clemson on Halloween won’t have enough tricks for a Death Valley surprise. A Tigers shutout is more likely. South Carolina and Tennessee probably will come down to a field goal, or a blocked field goal. The Vols almost pulled the stunner at Alabama and have improved.

So have Stephen Garcia and his new best bud, Alshon Jeffery.

Previous scores

Last week: 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