Clemson and South Carolina Renew Fierce Rivalry in 2025 Season

As the 2025 college football season approaches, the long-standing rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina is set to be renewed with both teams ranked in the preseason top 25 polls. This marks the first time since 2013 that the two in-state rivals have both cracked the top 25 to start the year.

In the latest preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, Clemson is ranked No. 6, while South Carolina comes in at No. 13. This is a significant achievement for the Gamecocks, who had not been ranked in the preseason top 25 since 2014. The last time the two teams were both ranked in the top 15 to begin a season was in 2013, when South Carolina was No. 7 and Clemson was No. 8.

However, not everyone agrees with the coaches' rankings. CBS Sports analyst Will Backus believes Clemson is underrated and should be in the top five, arguing that the Tigers have a better quarterback situation than some other top contenders. Conversely, Backus considers South Carolina to be overrated, citing several question marks surrounding the Gamecocks.

Regardless of the rankings, the annual Clemson-South Carolina clash is sure to be a highly anticipated matchup when the two teams meet on November 29 in Columbia. Kickoff for the game is set for noon ET on either ABC or ESPN, setting the stage for another chapter in this storied in-state rivalry.