As the clock ticks down to one of college football's fiercest rivalries, the stakes couldn't be higher for both Clemson (9-2) and South Carolina (8-3). This Saturday, when these two teams clash in Death Valley at noon on ESPN, the Tigers aim for a potential College Football Playoff (CFP) spot, while the Gamecocks look to defy preseason expectations that had them at just a 5.5-win total for the season.

Currently, Clemson is a 2.5-point favorite in this anticipated matchup, and metrics show that the teams are closely matched across the board:

Clemson vs. South Carolina by the Numbers

Clemson SP+ (15 Overall): Offense - 12; Defense - 20; Special Teams - 109

South Carolina SP+ (14 Overall): Offense - 25; Defense - 14; Special Teams - 42

Clemson FEI (14 Overall): Offense - 7; Defense - 25; Special Teams - 101

South Carolina FEI (12 Overall): Offense - 39; Defense - 6; Special Teams - 17

Clemson FPI (11 Overall): Offense - 6; Defense - 20; Special Teams - 127

South Carolina FPI (19 Overall): Offense - 42; Defense - 8; Special Teams - 75

Remarkably, the Football Efficiency Index (FEI) favors South Carolina for this matchup for the first time since 2013, projecting the Gamecocks to win narrowly at 27-26. In contrast, the SP+ model tilts slightly in favor of Clemson, suggesting the same score but with the Tigers on top. ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) offers the most substantial difference, giving Clemson a 57.1% chance of victory, reflective of their higher overall ranking.

Adding to the excitement, South Carolina has proven to be a formidable opponent this year, boasting an impressive 8-3 record against the spread, with seven of those games exceeding the point total. In recent matchups, the favorite has prevailed three out of the last five encounters, but last season's clash saw the Tigers, who were 14.5-point favorites, suffer a surprising 31-30 defeat on their own turf.

This season marks a pivotal shift in the rivalry — it is only the second time since 2015 that the Gamecocks have found themselves within single digits on the point spread against Clemson. Previous to this, South Carolina's last favored position was in their 2013 showdown, where they had a slight edge by 2.5 points.

What to Expect

As game day approaches, fans can expect a thrilling contest that could have significant playoff implications. With both teams knowing that a victory could propel them into a lofty postseason position, the intensity on the field will undoubtedly match the heated nature of this rivalry.

Can South Carolina pull off the upset, or will Clemson continue its stronghold in this historic rivalry? One thing is for certain: this game will be one for the books and is set to capture the attention of college football fans nationwide. Don't miss it!