Clemson linebacker explains his hatred of South Carolina Gamecocks

The rivalry between South Carolina and Clemson is clear. Ahead of Saturday’s matchup between the two teams, Clemson linebacker James Skalski made his hatred for South Carolina clear.

“Why do I hate them? Because they wanna be us so bad and they can’t,” Skalski said on College GameDay Saturday morning.

Saturday’s matchup should be an interesting one. South Carolina enters Saturday as an 11.5 point home underdog. Clemson is averaging 26.5 points per game, and South Carolina allows 23.7 points. The Gamecocks are scoring 23.3 points per game, but Clemson’s strong defense allows just 16.4.

Clemson began the season 2-2, but things have significantly improved since then. The Tigers have won four in a row and six of their last seven games. Clemson enters Saturday’s matchup with an 8-3 record including a 6-2 mark against ACC opponents.

South Carolina also began the season 2-2. The Gamecocks have dealt with a ton of injuries, notably to the quarterback position. After the 2-2 start, South Carolina has alternated wins and losses in each week since. The Gamecocks are 6-5 and 3-5 against SEC opponents entering Saturday’s matchup with Clemson.

One SEC Network analyst made a bold South Carolina-Clemson prediction

SEC Network analyst Roman Harper called his shot earlier in the week, predicting that South Carolina will upset Clemson to wrap up the regular season.

“If? You mean when,” Harper stated, when asked what would happen if South Carolina defeated Clemson. “I’m calling my shot, South Carolina is gonna win this game and they might win by double digits.

“They’ve had this game marked on the schedule for many more weeks now. Josh Vann. ZaQuandre Wright. That is how they will do it.”

For South Carolina, the run to bowl eligibility has been a wild journey. The Gamecocks’ hire of Shane Beamer as head coach was criticized in the offseason due to his lack of experience with a head coaching position. But Beamer has led South Carolina to bowl eligibility, and the Gamecocks have a chance to end on an even higher note against Clemson.

“I told you guys two weeks ago (after the Florida win) it was a great night for South Carolina,” Beamer said, choking up after South Carolina earned bowl eligibility. “I didn’t know two weeks later it was going to be even better.”

South Carolina is the host for Saturday night’s regular season finale for both teams. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.