The Battle for the Palmetto State

by Chris Paschal

Some of the greatest rivalries throughout the world are between two entities that are vastly different from each other. And by different, I mean one is very successful, popular, and beautiful and the other is… less so. Think about it. The Patriots versus the Colts back in the mid-2000s. Charleston, South Carolina versus Savannah, Georgia. Manchester United versus Manchester City (is this the first reference to the English Premier League on this site??). Bacon versus Canadian Bacon.

The best example is probably the Yankees and the Red Sox. Before 2004, Yankees-Red Sox might have been the greatest rivalry in professional sports. And it wasn’t because they went back and forth winning American League Pennants. It was because one franchise was dominant, arrogant, and oppressive, and the other, was desperate, jealous, and oppressed. The Yankees loved beating the Red Sox as much as they loved winning World Series Titles. And the Red Sox despised the Yankees because of it. A lot of that was lost when the Red Sox started winning. Yes, the rivalry is still there, and it might still be the best in baseball, but it lost some of its edge.

I have compared the Palmetto Bowl to Yankees-Red Sox before and I think it is a great comparison. Yes, I understand that the Red Sox and Yankees are more successful and nationally recognized than both the Gamecocks and the Tigers, but if you look at the two programs’ relationship, the similarities are striking.

The Clemson Tigers have two National Titles. Gamecocks have none. Clemson has 17 ACC Titles. The Gamecocks have zero SEC Titles. The Tigers lead the all-time series 69-42-2 over the Gamecocks. Further, like the Boston Red Sox, many South Carolina fans believe their team is cursed. There are many myths behind the cause for “The Chicken Curse,” but the most widely accepted story is that “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman, a United States Senator for South Carolina from 1895 until his death in 1918, and founding member of Clemson University, declared that the University of South Carolina was cursed.

Ever since, not only have the Gamecocks been one of the worst football programs in the South, but it has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory throughout its history. In 1984, the Gamecocks were ranked #2 in the nation, and were on their way to their first National Title in program history. They were unbeaten and were coming off a victory over Bobby Bowden’s Florida State Seminoles when they were upset… by Navy. The Midshipmen went 4-6-1 that season with two of those wins coming over Ivy League opponents.

South Carolina fell hard in 1984. Image from Gamecock Central.

In 2013, the Gamecocks were one of the best teams in the SEC when they travelled to Knoxville to take on the struggling Volunteers. With one of the greatest catches in Tennessee history, the Vols set themselves up for the game-winning field goal. Tennessee would finish 5-7 that season. Their other four wins? Austin Peay, South Alabama, Western Kentucky, and Kentucky. South Carolina would finish the season 11-2. The Gamecocks would have won the SEC East had they beaten Tennessee that season.

Many Gamecock fans are hoping that their curse will be broken much like the Red Sox curse was broken in 2004. And while a win over Clemson this Saturday wouldn’t end the curse, it would be evidence that Will Muschamp has this program believing it can beat anyone. Do I think South Carolina has a shot to beat Clemson? No. I don’t. But this rivalry has produced some great moments. Moments that can inspire either side.

Of course, no Gamecock fan will ever forget Steve Taneyhill signing his name on the Clemson Tiger Paw in Death Valley after leading the resurgent Gamecocks to a victory over the Tigers in 1992. And no Gamecock will ever forget Jadeveon Clowney, Bruce Ellington, Dylan Thompson, and Ace Sanders leading a disrespected South Carolina team into Death Valley in 2012 and leaving with a ten-point victory. 1984 and 1987 and 2006 – every one of which were great moments for anyone in the Garnet and Black.

Steve Taneyhill is a hero to Gamecocks and a villain to Tigers. Image from The State.

Of course, no Clemson Tiger fan will ever forget Mike Williams dragging a Gamecock (Jamarcus King) into the end zone to start off the scoring in a 56-7 blowout. And no Tiger fan will ever forget the beatdowns they handed the Gamecocks in 2003 (63-17), 1995 (38-17), and 1989 (450) all of which that took place in Columbia.

But there is a difference. Clemson fans hate South Carolina. And they relish the opportunity to put the Gamecocks back in their place. But they also have memories of winning National Titles, and winning ACC Titles, and beating Ohio State 31-0 in the College Football Playoff. South Carolina fans don’t have that. All they have is this game. When they watch Clemson win on the biggest of stages, their hatred intensifies. The yearning and wanting to beat Clemson grows.

This weekend, it’ll take a miracle. Anything short of that South Carolina loses. And while Will Muschamp says that he wants Gamecock Nation to be impatient and demand winning, I implore Gamecock fans to be patient. Look at South Carolina’s roster. Specifically, look at the injuries. Give this staff time to build a winner. 2020 is the season that I have pegged as put up or shut up time. In the meantime, keep it classy, but let that disdain for Clemson build up. It won’t be this season. It might not even be the next. But one of these years South Carolina is going to beat Clemson again. And it will be very sweet.