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Clemson Football Podcast: South Carolina Recap

In a game that was too close for comfort, Clemson outlasted South Carolina 37-32 in this year's Palmetto Bowl.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Another week, another dazzling performance from newly crowned ACC Player of the Year, Deshaun Watson, who posted nearly 400 total yards and 4 touchdowns. And our Clemson Tigers needed every one of those plays, as our offense coughed up 3 fumbles, allowing the South Carolina Gamecocks and their fans to hang around all day.

Turnovers, another missed PAT, and some defensive lapses helped Clemson squander an 18-point lead, and a garbage time touchdown set up a last-ditch but no less nerve-wracking onside kick attempt by a desperate South Carolina unit.

Still, Clemson's defense held steady and Deshaun was nothing short of brilliant. The Tigers secured their second straight win over South Carolina, and sent the Gamecocks to their 5th straight loss.

Elsewhere in the country, a wild weekend shook the top 10 as Baylor dropped to TCU, Oklahoma State lost a home contest to rival Oklahoma, Florida State dominated Florida (27-2!), and Notre Dame fell short at Stanford. When the dust settled, the 5th CFP committee rankings had the same top 5: Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, Michigan State. In striking distance are Stanford, Ohio State, and North Carolina.

With Championship weekend looming, the Tigers look for their 13th win against an upstart Tar Heels unit. Stay tuned for our preview show on Thursday!