Rivalry Week: Clemson has always won in Columbia

On Saturday, Clemson will travel to Columbia to play South Carolina, and it will be their 86th trip to the city in 115 series games. 

Yeah, Clemson football is very familiar with the city of their state rivals, because they have made the slightly over two hours trip to Columbia 85 times since 1896.

For most people, hearing that Clemson has played on the road for more than three-fourths of a 114 game series is perplexing and seems a bit unfair.

So why have there been so many games played in Columbia?

According to Wikipedia, South Carolina started their football program in 1892, and the Tigers in 1896. In 1896, Clemson agreed to play the Gamecocks on Thursday mornings in Columbia while the state fair was taking place. After the initial game, a 12-6 South Carolina victory, the annual game became know as “Big Thursday.”

Here are some numbers that will help put the rivalry in perspective in relationship to location and victories.

1960. Both teams agreed to a home-and-home series in 1959, and Clemson hosted the game for the first time in 1960.

64. The number of years Clemson was scheduled to travel to Columbia from 1896-1960.

57. Consecutive games played in Columbia. The game wasn’t played in 1901 and was interrupted again after the 1902 brawl. But the series continued in 1909 and has been continuous. It’s the second longest uninterrupted rivalry in the FBS behind only the Minnesota/Wisconsin series.

50. The Tigers’ wins (all-time) in Columbia.

35. Clemson wins in the series after 1960.

33. Total Clemson wins in Columbia from 1896 to 1960.

32. South Carolina wins(all-time) in Columbia.

29. Total games played at Clemson for the entire series. The Tigers hold an 18-10-1 advantage at Death Valley.

21. Total South Carolina wins from 1896 to 1960.

21. South Carolina wins after 1960.

17. Number of Clemson victories in Columbia after 1960.

11. South Carolina wins in Columbia after 1960.

68-42-4. Clemson leads the all-time series.

No. 3 Clemson(10-1) will try to get their 51st all-time win in Columbia today. A win will also give head coach Dabo Swinney his 100th coaching victory and the team a fourth straight win over South Carolina(8-3).