The Clemson Tigers are living by a hope and a prayer with their current chances of making the College Football Playoffs this year. If they miss out, they will e

Rivalry games always carry weight. If they go the wrong way, they can spoil the tone of a season. Even if both teams aren’t having good seasons (or if one is), there’s a finality in knocking off an in-state rival.

The 12th-ranked Tigers (9-2, No. 12 CFP ) and 16th-ranked Gamecocks (8-3, No. 15 CFP) are two of the hottest teams in the country. It's the first time both have been ranked in the season-ending rivalry game since 2013 and both hope a win means a berth in the expanded 12-team playoff.