Ahead of Clemson football’s annual Palmetto Bowl matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Griffin Barfield, former sports editor and senior reporter of The Tiger, spoke with Jaydon Ford, assistant sports editor of The Daily Gamecock, about Saturday’s game and the teams’ performances so far this season.
Griffin Barfield (GB): What has happened over the course of South Carolina’s season to occur the way that it is?
Jaydon Ford (JF): I think just not being able to finish games at times. We were up against Alabama. Obviously two weeks ago, we were up against Texas A&M. At times, the team hasn’t been able to establish the run game early, and not being able to finish games when we are up big, I would say that’s what kind of led to where we are now.
GB: Who is an X-factor for the Gamecocks in Saturday’s game?
JF: As long as Nyck Harbor plays, I think he’s a big guy that will change the game. Obviously, LaNorris Sellers will be a name to watch. Vicari Swain has stepped up as well. He’s been good all season in the return game, but I feel like he’s stepped up on defense, especially against Texas A&M. I feel like if he steps up, with obviously Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr. on the defensive line, if they can get to Cade (Klubnik), pressure the quarterback, I think that will help a lot.
GB: What is the biggest strength of this South Carolina team?
JF: I’d say our biggest strength, when it’s going, is our defense. When our defense is there, I feel like we have one of the best defenses that we can have. LaNorris Sellers is another factor that is one of our biggest strengths. When he’s going, it’s truly hard to stop him. He’s a great passer, can get out the pocket, he can scramble for 50 yards and score touchdowns. So, I feel like those are two of our biggest strengths.
GB: Where will Clemson have an advantage against South Carolina?
JF: I think our run defense, it’s just so up-and-down sometimes. We can’t stop the run at times and it just gashes us. There have been some teams, like Oklahoma, who had its best running performance of the season at that time against us. I just think it’s just one of those things that could hurt us again. We have also struggled against those top receivers, so if we can’t contain players like Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore, that can be an issue.
GB: How will Williams-Brice Stadium affect the game?
JF: I think it’s going to have a big effect. Coming off of last year, a win in Death Valley, I think fans are really hyped up because South Carolina has a chance to win two straight. Especially with the season that we have had, this game is the one where everybody’s like ‘Okay, yeah we haven’t had the season, but this is the only game that matters at this point, especially since we can’t make a bowl game.’ This is the season finale, I think the fans are going to impact the stadium.
GB: Who will win, and what is your score prediction?
JF: I’m going to go with the Gamecocks to win this game. I think it’s going to be a close game, I’m going to go with a final score of 24-21. I think it will be a nice scoring game, but I think we are going to go out on top, obviously at home.
Interview responses were edited for length and clarity.
