South Carolina vs. Clemson Picks, Predictions and Odds: Can the Winner Make the CFP

• South Carolina won five straight games

• Clemson won eight of their last nine matchups with SCAR

• The loser is OUT of the running for the CFP

The No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 12 Clemson Tigers are set to battle in an in-state matchup on Saturday. The winner will have a shot at making the College Football Playoff, depending on how the rest of the dominoes fall.

South Carolina’s only losses are to SEC teams ranked 16th or better. They won five straight games, two of those coming against No. 10 Texas A&M and No. 23 Missouri.

Clemson lost to No. 1 Georgia in the first week of the season and to Louisville a month ago. It won three straight games since the loss and got to take last week easy in a comfortable blowout win against The Citadel.

Here, we will analyze the matchup and break down our favorite South Carolina vs. Clemson betting picks.

South Carolina vs. Clemson Odds

Odds for the South Carolina vs. Clemson Saturday's matchup are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Place your bets on this matchup and claim $150 in bonus bets at FanDuel.

South Carolina vs. Clemson Predictions 

It’s not an exaggeration to say that South Carolina has one of the two or three best defensive fronts in the SEC… or in the country. They dominate the point of attack, allowing their linebackers and defensive backs to play free and confident knowing that opposing QBs are under constant duress (third in sack percentage), and the running backs will struggle to get anything going (eighth in yards per carry).

Senior back Raheim Sanders turned it on in recent weeks, averaging 98.8 rushing yards over his last four games. He also averaged 89.4 yards and went over 100 yards twice in five matchups with ranked opponents. Freshman QB LaNorris Sellers has also gotten much better as the year progressed and went 21/30 for 398 total yards and five touchdowns in his last matchup with a ranked team, Mizzou.

South Carolina isn’t a traditional power in college football, but they’re hot and improving, plus they have elite talent.

On the other side, Clemson is a more traditional threat in the national landscape, but there are some concerns. They have an injured offensive line, which spells trouble against SCAR’s potent front line. They also struggled to defend against the run, ranking 64th in yards allowed per carry (4.2).

That said, the Tigers still have QB Cade Klubnik, who has 34 total touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. Running back Phil Mafah, meanwhile, ran for 1,012 yards and eight touchdowns and was extremely consistent except for in a 24-20 win against Pitt.

Dabo Swinney is a highly-experienced coach who’s won lots of big games. The question is if he can wield that experience against a team that is hungry with serious matchup advantages.

Win $5 Wager, Get $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

South Carolina vs. Clemson: My Pick

• My Pick: Clemson to cover the spread at -2.5 (-122) at FanDuel

This should be a very close game. The winner might even be the team that has the ball last.

South Carolina’s ability to run the ball and to control the defensive line makes them an attractive pick - however, this feels like a situation where Swinney reminds the world that he’s a great coach and leads his team to a win.

Win $5 Wager, Get $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

How to Watch South Carolina vs. Clemson

• When: Saturday, Nov. 30 @ 12:00 p.m. ET

• Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC

• Watch: ESPN

South Carolina vs. Clemson Best Promos and Sportsbooks

All major college football betting sites have Clemson favored by 2.5 or three points. 

Clemson bettors will find the best deal at BetMGM, where they are -2.5 (-115). South Carolina bettors should turn to bet365, where they are +3 (-110).

Anyone who bets on Clemson vs. Pitt at FanDuel sportsbook can win $150 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

South Carolina vs. Clemson Injuries

South Carolina Injuries

• Joshua Simon (TE) - Questionable

• Brady Hunt (TE) - Questionable (leg)

• Jared Brown (WR) - Questionable

• Jakai Moore (OL) - Questionable

Clemson Injuries

• Trent Howard (OL) - Out (knee)

• Demonte Capehart (DT) - Questionable

• Shelton Lewis (CB) - Questionable

• Elyjah Sadler (OL) - Out (ankle)

• Collin Sadler (OL) - Out (foot)

• Dietrick Pennington (OL) - Questionable