Every year, the football version of the Palmetto Series carries a ton of weight in South Carolina. But this year's edition could be even more intense than it has been in recent years.
That's because the Tigers and the Gamecocks are on even footing this year for the first time in recent memory. In fact, in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, which were released on Tuesday, the two rivals are right next to one another.
In the second version of the CFP rankings, Clemson (7-2) checks in at No. 20. Meanwhile, South Carolina (6-3) sits at No. 21. If those rankings hold or the teams wind up similarly close to one another by the time the final weekend of the regular season rolls around, this year's rivalry game could be one of the most intriguing in the recent history of the series.
In the last nine meetings between the Tigers and the Gamecocks, Clemson has been ranked every year while USC has not been ranked once. So it is not surprising that the Tigers are 8-1 during that time with their only loss coming in 2022, a 31-30 home loss when they were ranked No. 8 in the country.
To find a game in which both Clemson and South Carolina were ranked, one has to go back to 2013 when No. 10 South Carolina beat No. 6 Clemson 31-17 in Columbia. That was the last in a string of three straight games in which both schools were ranked when they met. Unfortunately, USC won all three as part of a five-game winning streak for the Gamecocks over the Tigers.
This year, the two teams appear to be on a ranked collision course. The Gamecocks have only a home game against No. 23 Missouri (a team that has been awful against ranked teams this year) and a home game with Wofford before meeting Clemson.
Meanwhile, the Tigers face an unranked and reeling Pitt team on the road this weekend before a home game with the Citadel prior to hosting Clemson. Thus, the Tigers and the Gamecocks could be right next to one another in the rankings by the time the Palmetto Series resumes on the gridiron.
That would make for one of the most anticipated games these two teams have played in some time. While a playoff spot likely won't be on the line for either team this year, bragging rights always are and that's always worth something huge for fans of both schools.