ESPN predicts the outcome of the Clemson football vs South Carolina game

The Clemson Tigers aim to continue their dominance over the South Carolina Gamecocks, seeking their ninth win in the last 11 encounters, as they close the 2025 college football regular season at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia this Saturday.

Clemson Football Update

Clemson (6-5) secured bowl eligibility with a convincing 45-10 victory against Furman in their home finale at Memorial Stadium. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns to Antonio Williams, who had two receptions for 57 yards. Tyler Brown contributed a 21-yard touchdown run on a reverse play. Freshmen tight ends Christian Bentancur and Logan Brooking caught touchdown passes from backup quarterbacks Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson. Denson, a freshman and three-star recruit from Plant City High School in Florida, completed all four of his passes for 22 yards and added 106 rushing yards, including a 10-yard touchdown with nine seconds left. Coach Dabo Swinney reported that Denson sustained an injury during practice this week.

South Carolina Football Update

South Carolina (4-7), falling short of bowl eligibility after a 9-3 regular season last year, defeated Coastal Carolina 51-7 in Week 13. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 16 of 20 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 82 yards and two additional scores.

ESPN Prediction

ESPNs matchup predictor, based on the College Football Power Index (FPI) and other factors, gives South Carolina a 63.5% chance of winning, while Clemson has a 36.5% chance. The Tigers are ranked 33rd in ESPNs latest FPI ratings, with an overall rating of 8.2, compared to South Carolinas 10.8 rating, which places them 27th.

Game Details

The Palmetto Bowl between Clemson and South Carolina kicks off at noon ET on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game will air on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb providing commentary and Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines.

ESPN FPI Rankings

ESPNs Football Power Index ranks the top college football teams based on projected strength for the remainder of the season. FPI predicts team performance through simulations and considers past results along with the remaining schedule. Ratings are updated daily.

Analysis: Clemson Tigers' Chances Against South Carolina Gamecocks

As the Clemson Tigers prepare to face the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025 Palmetto Bowl, the stakes are clear. Clemson (6-5) enters the game with a solid chance to extend their dominance over South Carolina, having won eight of the last ten matchups. The Tigers are coming off a strong performance against Furman, securing bowl eligibility with a 45-10 victory. However, despite their recent success, their prospects this weekend are far from certain, as South Carolina (4-7) has proven they can still put up a fight, especially after their convincing 51-7 win against Coastal Carolina.

Clemson's offensive performance, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik, has been steady but not explosive. Klubnik threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns in the Furman game, with Antonio Williams emerging as a key target. Tyler Brown also showcased his talent with a 21-yard touchdown run, and the freshmen tight ends added depth to the offense. However, the injury to backup quarterback Chris Denson, who has contributed both passing and rushing yards, raises concerns for Clemson's depth at quarterback.

On the other hand, South Carolina's quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, is in top form. He threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns against Coastal Carolina while adding two rushing touchdowns to his tally. With such an all-around performance, Sellers poses a significant threat to Clemson’s defense, which will need to contain both his passing and running abilities to limit South Carolina’s scoring chances.

According to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), South Carolina holds a 63.5% chance of winning this game, slightly higher than Clemson’s 36.5%. This reflects the Gamecocks’ superior overall rating in FPI (10.8 vs. Clemson’s 8.2), though the matchup is still expected to be competitive. The game is set to kick off at noon ET on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, and while ESPN’s prediction leans toward South Carolina, Clemson’s experience and recent success in the rivalry cannot be overlooked.

Ultimately, this game will come down to execution. Clemson will need to maintain their defensive discipline and limit turnovers, while South Carolina will be hoping to ride the momentum of LaNorris Sellers' outstanding play. Regardless of the outcome, the game promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2025 regular season.

Sources:

• ESPN predicts the winner of Clemson football vs South Carolina