You either wear orange or you wear garnet. In South Carolina, there isn't much of a middle ground. Families literally stop talking for a week in November. It’s been that way since 1896, and honestly, the hate hasn't faded a bit.
When people talk about the rivalry Clemson vs South Carolina, they usually focus on the football game. It’s called the Palmetto Bowl now, a name officially adopted in 2014, but for the old-timers, it’s still just "Carolina-Clemson." It is one of the oldest, most uninterrupted series in college football history, surviving wars, social upheaval, and even a near-riot that involved actual bayonets.
The Weird, Violent History of the Palmetto Bowl
Most rivalries start with a trophy or a border dispute. This one started with a class war. In the late 1800s, Ben Tillman, a politician and agricultural advocate, basically decided that the University of South Carolina in Columbia was for the "elite" and the city-dwellers. He wanted a school for the farmers, the "real" workers of the state. That school became Clemson.
Right from the start, there was a chips-on-shoulders mentality.
In 1902, things got scary. South Carolina won an upset victory, 12–8. Their fans were so excited they paraded a poster of a Gamecock standing over a beaten Tiger. Clemson students—who were then part of a strict military college—did not take that well. They marched toward the USC campus, reportedly armed with bayonets. A massive brawl was barely avoided when local police intervened, and the two schools didn't play each other again for seven years. That’s how deep the "bad blood" goes.
Key Stats and the All-Time Record
If you’re at a bar in Greenville or Columbia, someone is going to start quoting stats. You should probably know the basics so you don't look lost.
As of the 2025 season, Clemson leads the all-time series 74–44–4. Clemson fans will tell you they’ve dominated, pointing to their seven-game win streaks and multiple national titles. South Carolina fans will counter with the "Five Bombs" era (2009–2013) where Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks beat the Tigers five times in a row.
The 2025 matchup at Williams-Brice Stadium ended with a 28–14 Clemson victory. It wasn't the prettiest game, especially for the Gamecocks, who struggled with four turnovers. Ricardo Jones basically sealed the deal with a late interception return for a touchdown.
- Largest Victory: Clemson won 51–0 back in 1900.
- Longest Win Streak: 7 games (Clemson has done this twice, most recently from 2014–2019).
- The Venue: The game alternates between Memorial Stadium (Death Valley) in Clemson and Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
Why "Big Thursday" Still Matters
For decades, the game was always played on a Thursday in Columbia during the State Fair. It was a massive state holiday. Everyone from the mountains to the coast would descend on the capital.
In 1960, they finally moved to a home-and-home Saturday format. Some people still miss the old "Big Thursday" tradition, but let’s be real—the atmosphere in Death Valley or under the lights in Columbia is on another level.
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The rivalry isn't just about the score on the scoreboard. There are traditions like the "Tiger Burn" at South Carolina, where they burn a giant orange tiger in effigy. Meanwhile, Clemson students hold a mock funeral for "Cocky," the South Carolina mascot. It’s a bit dramatic, sure, but that’s Southern football for you.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that this is a "friendly" in-state rivalry. It’s not. It isn't like some states where people root for both teams as long as they aren't playing each other.
You’ve got a massive cultural divide. Clemson is tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, built on land once owned by John C. Calhoun. It feels like a college town through and through. South Carolina is in the heart of the state’s capital, an urban campus with a completely different energy.
Another mistake? Thinking the rivalry Clemson vs South Carolina is only about football. While the Palmetto Bowl is the crown jewel, the schools compete for the "Palmetto Series" trophy, which tracks everything from baseball and basketball to academics and blood drives. South Carolina actually won the 2024–2025 all-sports series 7–4.
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The Impact of the Transfer Portal and NIL
Kinda crazy how much things have changed in just the last few years.
With the transfer portal, you now see players who used to be on one side of the rivalry suddenly wearing the other team's colors. It adds a weird layer of "betrayal" that fans haven't quite figured out how to handle yet. Plus, with South Carolina being in the SEC and Clemson in the ACC, the game often serves as a proxy war between the two most powerful conferences in the country.
The 2024 game was a heartbreaker for Clemson fans. South Carolina walked into Death Valley and pulled off a 17–14 upset. LaNorris Sellers was the hero that day, proving that even when one team is having a "down" year, the rivalry game resets everything.
Actionable Tips for Attending a Palmetto Bowl
If you're planning on going to the game, you need to be prepared.
- Wear the Right Colors: Do not wear neutral colors. If you’re in the Clemson section wearing garnet, you’re going to hear about it.
- Traffic is a Nightmare: Whether it's I-26 or the roads into Clemson, give yourself double the time you think you need.
- Tailgate Early: This isn't a "show up 30 minutes before kickoff" kind of game. People are out there at 7:00 AM with fried chicken and bourbon.
- Respect the Noise: Both stadiums are notoriously loud. If you have sensitive ears, bring plugs.
The rivalry Clemson vs South Carolina is the heartbeat of sports in the state. It defines seasons. It ruins Thanksgivings. And for the winner, it provides 365 days of the most satisfying bragging rights imaginable.
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Check the official athletic sites for Clemson or South Carolina to secure tickets early for 2026, as they almost always sell out months in advance. If you can't get a ticket, find a local sports bar—just make sure you know which side of the room you're sitting on before you order a drink.