Clemson football: Most important games of 2022

Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Ray Thornton III (16) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Ray Thornton III (16) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) and teammates celebrate their win after the game at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 27, 2021. Clemson won 30-0.Clemson U Of Sc Football In Columbia /

3. South Carolina 11/26 – Week 12

I was hesitant to put this game on the list because it really has little bearing to the success of the Tigers season and goal of winning the conference again.  And then my fandom got the best of me and realized that this is and always will be a huge game.

Shane Beamer is the latest head coach that Gamecock fans believe is going to be their savior.  Outside of a couple of decent years with Steve Spurrier they always try to convince themselves that they have the next best coach only to be let down tremendously.

It’s been a few years since South Carolina could claim an “off-season national championship,” but they pillaged the transfer portal and were able to land quarterback cast-off Spencer Rattler and TE Billy Stogner from Oklahoma, as well as former Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith.

What Gamecock crowers tend to forget was they had a heck of a time trying to block for their stable of quarterbacks a season ago nor could they stop the run (see: 30-0), but hey, they got the shiny new thing in the corner, so it gives them life.  Hopefully the Tigers can take that hope and crush it…again.