South Carolina Gamecocks Enter 2025 Season as Underdogs to Clemson but Poised to Challenge In-State Rivals With Renewed Confidence
The South Carolina Gamecocks are once again heading into a college football season with something to prove, and nothing fuels that drive quite like a rivalry. As the 2025 season looms, the Gamecocks find themselves cast in the familiar role of underdogs against in-state powerhouse Clemson. The early betting lines reflect a perception that hasn’t changed much over the past decade—Clemson, with its College Football Playoff pedigree and perennial top-tier talent, remains the favorite in what has grown into one of the most intense rivalries in all of college football. Yet for South Carolina, being labeled an underdog might be exactly the kind of motivation needed to flip the script.
There was a time when the Gamecocks had the upper hand in the rivalry. From 2009 to 2013, South Carolina defeated Clemson five straight times under then-head coach Steve Spurrier. Those were glory years, led by household names like Jadeveon Clowney, Marcus Lattimore, and Connor Shaw. But in the years since, the pendulum has swung heavily toward the Tigers. Clemson’s ascent to national prominence under Dabo Swinney—highlighted by multiple playoff appearances and national championships—has widened the perception gap between the two programs. Yet beneath the surface, the Gamecocks have been laying the groundwork to close it.
Head coach Shane Beamer is entering his fifth season at the helm and has already shown he’s not afraid of a challenge. His tenure has been marked by a relentless commitment to rebuilding the culture, improving talent acquisition, and instilling belief in a program that had grown used to mediocrity. The Gamecocks’ recruiting classes have steadily improved, their competitiveness in SEC games has increased, and their national perception is starting to shift. While oddsmakers may still side with Clemson, the feeling around Columbia is different this time—this is not the same South Carolina team of years past.
When the Gamecocks take the field against Clemson in 2025, it won’t just be a battle for bragging rights. It will be a defining moment for a South Carolina team looking to signal that its rebuild has evolved into something more. Every aspect of that game—on the field, on the sideline, and in the trenches—will be an opportunity for the Gamecocks to prove they belong in the same conversation as their ACC rivals. For fans, it’s personal. For the players, it’s a chance to make history. For the coaching staff, it’s about validation.
Despite being underdogs, South Carolina has legitimate reasons to believe it can pull off the upset. For starters, the Gamecocks return key contributors on offense who have grown under Beamer’s system. The quarterback room is more experienced, and the offensive line has made measurable strides in both pass protection and run blocking. South Carolina’s skill players—particularly at wide receiver and running back—have the kind of explosiveness needed to threaten Clemson’s traditionally stout defense. While Clemson’s defensive line remains one of the most feared in the country, South Carolina’s offense is better equipped than in previous years to handle that kind of pressure.
Defensively, the Gamecocks have questions but also potential. The offseason saw the loss of several starters, including NFL-bound talent, but it also opened the door for younger players to step into leadership roles. The linebacker corps has improved speed, the secondary is more experienced, and the defensive line—while lacking a marquee name—has the kind of depth that could cause problems over four quarters. Clemson’s offense, though talented, has struggled with consistency in recent years, and South Carolina’s defense will aim to capitalize on that by forcing turnovers and creating chaos.
But the story of this rivalry goes far beyond statistics and matchups. It’s about momentum, emotion, and moments. Rivalry games are unpredictable by nature, and the underdog tag has a way of sharpening focus. Beamer understands this. He’s no stranger to big games or long odds, and he has repeatedly shown that he can get his players to rise to the occasion when it matters most. In previous seasons, South Carolina has pulled off major upsets under his leadership, including victories over ranked SEC opponents and emotional wins that few expected. The belief in the locker room is genuine, and that belief can carry weight in a game like this.
The mental aspect of the rivalry is perhaps just as important as the physical one. For years, Clemson has entered the annual Palmetto Bowl with a psychological edge. They were the team with national titles, NFL talent, and dominant records. But South Carolina has slowly chipped away at that aura. The Gamecocks’ win over Clemson in 2022 snapped a long losing streak and reminded the program—and its fans—that the rivalry can still be won. That victory wasn’t a fluke; it was a breakthrough. And it laid the foundation for future belief.
Looking ahead to 2025, the atmosphere surrounding the game is expected to be electric. Whether it’s played at Williams-Brice Stadium or Death Valley, the intensity will be unmatched. Fans from both sides mark the date on their calendars months in advance. For players, this is the game they hear about on recruiting visits, the one they dream about when they commit. And for coaches, it’s the one that defines the narrative of an entire season, no matter what the records say. A win in the Palmetto Bowl can salvage a disappointing season or elevate a good one to greatness.
Clemson, for its part, will not take South Carolina lightly. The Tigers still possess one of the most talented rosters in the country, filled with five-star recruits and future NFL players. Dabo Swinney remains one of the most respected coaches in college football, and his teams are known for their discipline, toughness, and execution. But Clemson also faces pressure—pressure to return to playoff contention, pressure to reclaim dominance in the ACC, and pressure to keep their in-state rival in check. That pressure can be a burden, especially when the expectations are sky-high.
For South Carolina, the underdog role may actually be an advantage. With less to lose and everything to gain, the Gamecocks can play loose, aggressive, and inspired. They don’t have to be perfect—they just have to be better for four quarters. And in a rivalry game, where emotion often overrides rankings, that’s entirely possible. The key will be execution in critical moments: third downs, red zone opportunities, special teams, and turnovers. Games like this are decided by inches and seconds, not by the betting line.
The buildup to the game will be filled with headlines, analysis, and predictions, most of which will favor Clemson. But that’s familiar territory for South Carolina, a team that has been fighting for respect both nationally and locally. The 2025 Gamecocks are different than the teams that wilted under pressure in previous years. They’ve grown, matured, and hardened through the trials of the SEC. They’ve seen what it takes to win in hostile environments and have done it. Now, they’ll look to do it again—this time against the team that has cast a long shadow over their state.
Ultimately, this year’s edition of the Palmetto Bowl will be about more than just one game. It will be about the direction of two programs. For Clemson, it’s a test of whether they can maintain their place among the college football elite. For South Carolina, it’s an opportunity to take another massive step forward in their quest for relevance and respect. A victory would signal that the Gamecocks are no longer content with being the underdog—they are ready to be equals, and perhaps more.
As August approaches and the season draws near, the noise will only get louder. Pundits will debate, fans will argue, and both teams will prepare with everything they have. But when the whistle blows and the rivalry is renewed, none of that will matter. What will matter is who shows up, who executes, and who wants it more. And in that moment, South Carolina will have the chance to do more than just beat Clemson—they’ll have the chance to shift the balance of power in the state, and maybe even rewrite the narrative of their program. Underdogs? Maybe. But ready? Absolutely.
