South Carolina-Clemson ranked among top 2025 season matchups

Fans of college football in the Palmetto State know that the last Saturday in November is always a special one. The South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers do not like each other, and the annual Palmetto Bowl is one of the top rivalries in the sport.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, his year’s matchup also is one of the top games of the season. This weekend, Nakos revealed his top 10 non-conference games of the season, and South Carolina-Clemson ranked near the top.

Coming in at No. 2, the Gamecocks and Tigers trail only Texas @ Ohio State. The game also is the only November contest to make the cut for Nakos.

Said the On3 national writer, “The annual rivalry game will not be played until the final week of the college football regular season. But if all goes according to plan, this could be a top-five matchup with major College Football Playoff implications. The Gamecocks return quarterback LaNorris Sellers and EDGE Dylan Stewart, who were breakout stars of the 2024 college football season. Dabo Swinney has weathered the transfer portal and NIL and returns the most experienced roster in the sport. That has the Tigers entering the season as national title contenders. After seven consecutive Clemson wins, South Carolina has won two of the last three meetings.”

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The 2025 edition of the Palmetto Bowl will see South Carolina host Clemson at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks have won two of three in the series but haven’t won in Columbia since 2013. That year, Steve Spurrier’s team knocked off Dabo Swinney’s group for the fifth time in a row.

Last season, quarterback LaNorris Sellers dominated the Tigers en route to 328 yards of offense, two touchdowns, and 18 broken tackles. His final (non-kneel down) play of the game came with less than two minutes on the clock on a 3rd-and-16. Sellers dropped back to pass, evaded several rushers, took off, and either broke through or ran around nearly the entire defense for a 20-yard score. The Gamecocks went up 17-14 following the score and extra point. That score proved to be the final tally.

Like the 2024 game, the 2025 rivalry week matchup could have College Football Playoff implications. South Carolina’s win last season put the Gamecocks right on the CFP bubble and would have knocked Clemson out of the discussion had it not been for the Tigers’ ACC Championship automatic bid. If the two rivals play as anticipated this fall, the Carolina-Clemson contest could be the most important game of the regular season’s final weekend.

The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry stands as one of the most storied and intense in college football, capturing the passion of South Carolina and Clemson fans alike for generations. As the 2025 college football season approaches, this historic rivalry continues to garner national attention, especially as both programs are projected to be contenders with high-powered offenses, star quarterbacks, and significant postseason ambitions. In this comprehensive overview, we’ll explore the rich history of the rivalry, analyze the key factors shaping the 2025 matchup, examine the significance of this game within the broader college football landscape, and highlight why it ranks among the top matchups of the 2025 season.

**1. The Historic Significance of South Carolina-Clemson Rivalry**

The rivalry between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers dates back over a century, with the first game played in 1896. Known colloquially as the Palmetto Bowl, this annual matchup is more than just a game; it’s a cultural event that embodies state pride, regional bragging rights, and deep-seated traditions. The rivalry is characterized by passionate tailgating, fierce on-field competition, and moments that have etched their names into college football lore.