FACTS & STATS: Site: Clemson Memorial Stadium (86,473) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television:ESPN2. Home Record: USC 5-2, Clemson 4-2. Away Record: USC 2-2, Clemson 2-2. Neutral Record: USC 0-0, Clemson 0-1. Conference Record: USC 4-4, Clemson 4-4. Series Record: Clemson leads, 64-37-4.

GAME NOTES: The Clemons Tigers will try to gain bowl eligibility this weekend, as they host the South Carolina Gamecocks in non-conference action at Memorial Stadium. Following a three-game mid-season slide and the sudden departure of head coach Tommy Bowden, the Tigers weren't given much of a chance to make the postseason. Interim head coach Dabo Swinney however, kept Clemson focused and the team responded by winning three of its last four games. This past Saturday, the Tigers took to the road and emerged with a 13-3 win over Virginia. The triumph improved Clemson to 6-5 overall, but it will still need a victory this weekend to become bowl eligible because two of the program's prior victories came against Football Championship Subdivision teams. As for South Carolina, it was last in action on November 15th, when it was blasted by highly-ranked Florida, 56-6, delivering Steve Spurrier his worst defeat in 90 contests at The Swamp. The loss snapped a two-game win streak and dropped the Gamecocks to 7-4 on the season. Saturday's game will mark the 106th meeting between the two Palmetto State rivals in a series that dates back to 1896. The Tigers lead the head-to-head series, 64-37-3, and have won five of the last six encounters with the Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks have had some issues on offense this season, as they are gaining just 98.9 ypg on the ground while committing 29 turnovers, including 20 interceptions. In its last game, South Carolina turned the ball over four times and managed just 173 total yards in a lopsided loss to Florida. Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia both saw time under center, but neither was successful, combining for just 120 yards and three interceptions on 19-of-37 tosses. Neither quarterback has been all that reliable on the season either, with Smelley throwing for 1,531 yards and 11 touchdowns and Garcia passing for 753 yards and six touchdowns. The two have also combined for 16 interceptions. Kenny McKinley has been the team's main outlets with 41 catches and four touchdowns, while Jared Cook leads the squad with 548 receiving yards. In the backfield, Mike Davis leads the team's inept ground attack with 495 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, South Carolina has done a great job in limiting its opponents to just 19.3 ppg and a mere 280.4 total ypg. The unit has been stingy against the run (123.6 ypg) as well as the pass (157.6 ypg) and has also registered 22 takeaways and 26 sacks. All those numbers look especially good when considering the Gamecocks were exploited for 519 total yards, including 346 rushing, by Florida in its last outing. South Carolina forced two turnovers and recorded a pair of sacks in that game, but that did little to slow down Florida. Eric Norwood paced the defense with a fumble recovery and two sacks. It was another solid effort by Norwood, who leads the club in TFLs (12.5) and sacks (nine) while ranking second with 58 stops on the year.

The Tigers are averaging 25.0 ppg and 335.5 ppg this season and those numbers aren't all that bad considering they have committed 25 turnovers. Last weekend, Clemson managed only 192 total yards, with just one miscue, and that was good enough to come out on top against Virginia. Tailback C.J. Spiller rushed for just 18 yards, but he did throw his first career touchdown pass. On the season, Spiller has rushed for 524 yards and seven touchdowns to rank second to James Davis, who has posted 634 yards and eight scores on the ground. Cullen Harper didn't have his best game last weekend, as the highly touted gunslinger completed 18-of-28 pass attempts for just 121 yards. Harper has been up and down all season and has completed 62.7 percent of his tosses, but with just 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Aaron Kelly and Jacoby Ford have paired up to form a nice one-two punch in the passing game and they have combined for 106 receptions, 1,120 yards and five scores this season.

Much like South Carolina, Clemson's strength resides on the defensive side of the ball, where it is holding opponents to just 16.8 ppg and only 294.0 total ypg. The defense has clamped down against each the run (130.8 ypg) and pass (163.2 ypg) and has also generated 21 turnovers. The Tigers are even coming off one of their best efforts on defense, as they held Virginia to measly 190 yards and just three points last weekend. The defense force four turnovers and even managed a pair of sacks in the victory. Michael Hamlin led the charge with eight stops and an interception, while Kavell Conner had five stops and a sack. On the year, Conner tops the roster with 84 stops, but Hamlin trails him by just one tackle and he also paces the squad with five interceptions.

Clemson needs this one more than South Carolina does and with a solid effort on defense and the support of its fans, it should be able to get the job done.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 24, South Carolina 20

Saturday, November 29th, 12:00 p.m. (et)