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Clemson Football Oppo Research: South Carolina Gamecocks

Clemson Football will host a South Carolina Gamecocks squad with a revamped running attack but there will still be a lot of questions throughout the rest of the roster.

By John Chancey

A parade to honor the University of South Carolina women's basketball NCAA national championship victory was held in downtown Columbia on April 14, 2024. Cocky greets fans on the steps of the capital.
A parade to honor the University of South Carolina women's basketball NCAA national championship victory was held in downtown Columbia on April 14, 2024. Cocky greets fans on the steps of the capital. / ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Clemson Football will host the Gamecocks for the first time at Death Valley since South Carolina ended the Tigers’ home winning streak in 2022.

What: South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Tigers

When: November 30th, time to be determined

Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina

Series History: Clemson leads the all-time series 73-43-4. The Tigers won last season’s matchup in Columbia 16-7. The Gamecocks won the last game at Death Valley 31-30 in 2022.

South Carolina 2023 Statistics

All stats per teamrankings.com against FBS competition only

Points per game: 24.1 (80th)

Yards per game: 344.4 (93rd)

Points allowed per game: 26.8 (65th)

Yards allowed per game: 406.5 (90th)

Quite a bit has changed for the Tigers since they lost to the Gamecocks in 2022: new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, new quarterback.

The Gamecocks look quite different as well. They have also turned over the same positions.

Spencer Rattler has moved on to the NFL and LaNorris Sellers is expected to start for the Gamecocks. Sellers had an outstanding career at South Florence High School, where he won a state title. Sellers is a great athlete, but he might need some time to mature as a quarterback.

Shane Beamer went to great lengths to upgrade his rushing attack to support his young quarterback in 2024. Raheim Sanders will likely be the starter. Sanders was an All-SEC runner in 2022 before injury derailed his 2023 season. Beamer also added Oscar Addaway (North Texas) and Jawarn Howell (South Carolina State) to the running back room for depth.

Juice Wells is permanently gone after missing most of 2023. The group has been replenished by five transfers. Whether he lines up at wide receiver or tight end, Nyck Harbor will likely be Sellers's primary target.

SC also brought in three transfers for the offensive line, which continued to be a liability for the team in 2023. The story is similar for the defense: four defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two defensive backs from the portal.

The most daunting part of 2023 for South Carolina is the schedule. The Gamecocks will host LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri while traveling to Alabama, Oklahoma, and Clemson.

If South Carolina’s offensive line can be even average at run blocking this season, the Gamecocks should have a decent ground attack this season. Sanders is a good running back when healthy and Sellers can use his legs too. Productivity from the ground game will take some of the pressure off the inexperienced passing attack.

The offense will also be dependent on the defense getting off the field. Field position will be key for a team reliant on the ground game. Avoiding playing from behind would also be helpful too.

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