The records may not sparkle, but the stakes remain high as South Carolina wraps up the 2025 season against archrival Clemson on today in the annual Palmetto Bowl.
Kickoff is set for noon at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Gamecocks (4-7, 1-7 SEC) are looking to finish a challenging year on a high note by reclaiming the Palmetto Bowl Trophy against the Tigers (6-5, 4-4 ACC). Beyond the hardware and bragging rights, a point in the South Carolina Education Lottery Palmetto Series is on the line. The series is a competition sponsored by the SC Education Lottery between South Carolina and Clemson where the winner takes home the Palmetto Series trophy and bragging rights.
Clemson currently holds a narrow 2-1 lead in the 2025-26 all-sports competition, having secured points in men’s soccer and volleyball. South Carolina, which took a point in women’s basketball, has historically controlled the rivalry series, leading 6-1 overall since its inception in 2015.
South Carolina enters the finale fresh off a 51-7 rout of Coastal Carolina last week, a victory that snapped a five-game losing streak. The Gamecocks opened the season with promise, securing non-conference wins over Virginia Tech and South Carolina State, but struggled through a grueling Southeastern Conference schedule.
Despite the 4-7 mark, the season has been defined by close calls for head coach Shane Beamer’s squad. In nine of 11 games this season, the Gamecocks either led or were within a touchdown entering the fourth quarter.
South Carolina held fourth-quarter leads against ranked opponents Missouri, Alabama and Texas A&M, only to fall short in the final stanza. They also trailed LSU and Ole Miss by single digits late in the game before losing possession. Under Beamer, the Gamecocks are 25-5 when leading after three quarters, though that record stands at just 4-3 this season.
Saturday’s game will be televised on the SEC Network.
Following the football showdown, the rivalry shifts to the hardwood when the men’s basketball teams meet in the Upstate on Dec. 16.
