Fansided

College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

By Maitland Rutledge

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 25: South Carolina Gamecocks running back Ty’Son Williams (27) gets tackled by a group of Clemson Tigers during the rival football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers on November 25, 2017 at William-Brice Stadium in Columbia,South Carolina. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 25: South Carolina Gamecocks running back Ty’Son Williams (27) gets tackled by a group of Clemson Tigers during the rival football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers on November 25, 2017 at William-Brice Stadium in Columbia,South Carolina. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

16. Clemson vs. South Carolina

This in-state rivalry goes beyond the gridiron. Since 2015, both schools have competed in what has been dubbed the “Palmetto Series”. This is a head-to-head competition between both universities in multiple sports with the winner determined at the end of the year.

This series has provided quite a few games with names since its beginning in 1896. The 2000 matchup became known as “The Catch II” or the “Push-off” as some refer to. Down 14–13, Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler hit receiver Rod Gardner for a 50-yard reception down to the Gamecock’s 8-yard line with 10 seconds to go. South Carolina fans pointed to the replay saying Gardner pushed off to make the grab, but Clemson fans argued that the contact was incidental. No penalty flag was thrown, allowing Clemson kicker Aaron Hunt to hit a 25-yard game winning-field goal that gave Clemson a 16–14 win.

The most explosive game occurred in 2004, which became known as “The Brawl”. Late in the fourth quarter with Clemson on their way to a 29-7 win, an all-out brawl ensued. South Carolina quarterback Syvelle Newton was knocked to the ground after a shot to the head following an incomplete pass on 4th and 11 with 5:48 to go. Clemson players stayed on top of him and would not let him get up.  The benches cleared and players from both teams started shoving and punching each other. The game was suspended for six minutes, but the teams were able to finish the last five minutes. This was Lou Holtz’s last game as Gamecock’s head coach and both teams forfeited their postseason bowl games as a result of the fight.

Clemson has won the last four meetings, including a 34-10 win in 2017. Will Muschamp will be looking to emerge from Dabo Sweeney’s shadow this season. When these two teams meet each other again in November, the country will be watching.