Braggin' Rights Barometer

SOUTH CAROLINA 21, CLEMSON 10

The way it works: The tradition-rich BRB predicts what to expect from a mythical South Carolina-Clemson clash this Saturday, and every week leading to the real game on Nov. 29, this year accounting for the Tigers’ home-field advantage.

The set-up: Its quarterback excitement, times two. South Carolina redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia got his big break Saturday at Kentucky and took full advantage, winning friends, fans and the starting job. Clemson redshirt freshman Willy Korn didn’t play at Wake Forest on Thursday night but won the starting job Friday when head coach Tommy Bowden benched senior starter Cullen Harper. Rob Spence remains Clemson’s offensive coordinator.

The vibe: Last week the BRB predicted Clemson would have to “circle the wagons” if the Tigers lost at Wake Forest and, indeed, Bowden used the exact phrase after the 12-7 setback. Georgia Tech is coming off a 10-7 “victory” over Gardner-Webb, which means Saturday’s game at Death Valley might end in penalty kicks. South Carolina gets a humbled and motivated LSU team after the defending national champs lost 51-31 at Florida. A win gets the Gamecocks into the top 25 polls.

Previous scores:

Last week – South Carolina 24, Clemson 17

Sept. 29 - South Carolina 20, Clemson 17

Sept. 22 - Clemson 16, South Carolina 14

Sept. 15 - South Carolina 16, Clemson 14

Sept. 8 - Clemson 23, South Carolina 21

Sept. 1 - South Carolina 20, Clemson 17

Aug. 25 - Clemson 24, South Carolina 17