South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers Channels Curt Cignetti’s Mentality to Downplay Clemson’s Impact Before Rivalry Clash

When it comes to rivalry games, coaches and players tend to fall into two camps. You’ve got HCs like Ohio State’s Ryan Day, who treat these matchups like life-or-death battles. And then there are the “just the next game” types, like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, keeping it cool and casual. This final regular college football week is packed with rivalry games, including No. 15 South Carolina. A win over their rival No. 12 Clemson has a tiny chance to extend their playoff hopes. But it seems even in this high-pressure situation, Shane Beamer‘s players have adopted Cignetti’s chill guy demeanor. 

All attention turns towards the upcoming South Carolina vs. Clemson clash on Saturday, a bitter in-state collegiate rivalry. But QB LaNorris Sellers didn’t seem too tense about their upcoming battle during his appearance on College Football on Fanatics View on November 29. “It’s just another game,” he said. “It’s a rivalry game, so it’s like a lot of high energy games, but it’s just another football game.” 

LaNorris Sellers’ response makes us remember the time when Curt Cignetti took a jab at Don Fischer, calling him “such a media guy” for calling the Ohio State vs. Indiana game as “arguably the biggest game in IU gridiron history.” He argued that “it’s just the next game” before they went on to lose 38-15 to the Buckeyes. Can such a mentality invite trouble to South Carolina in their rivalry game? 

First played in 1896, the South Carolina-Clemson rivalry was officially dubbed the Palmetto Bowl in 2014. It is one of the longest uninterrupted rivalries in CFB history, played every year from 1909 to 2019. The Tigers take the lead with an all-series record of 73-43-4. This season should be a comeback revenge for the Gamecocks after their 16-7 fall to the Tigers in the 120th Palmetto Bowl last season. After all, a win against this 9-2 ACC team could change the narrative for LaNorris Sellers and his team in 2024.

South Carolina has a slim playoff chance if they beat Clemson

Despite LaNorris Sellers taking the Clemson challenge as just another game, Shane Beamer is aware of what the rivalry could bring. He said on Sirius XM, “The key thing is going to be, they’re emotional. You got to be able to keep your poise and composure and go play well. And the team that plays well is going to be the one that has the most success, and we know that there’s more ramifications about this game.” 

With an 8-3 record, a win over Clemson would put them above Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss in the SEC. Not just that, it would also put them on the list of the 3-loss SEC teams that could still make it to the playoffs. But of course, it’s a long shot, as two of the three top ACC teams would have to lose for that to happen. Whether or not a playoff appearance is in the picture, a win would improve South Carolina’s record to 9-3 and change their rivalry win history.