South Carolina-Clemson Rivalry: More Than Just a Game
The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry isn’t just about passion—it’s an all-encompassing obsession, almost like a required course in the Palmetto State’s curriculum. For outsiders, the intensity of the animosity between Gamecocks and Tigers fans can be startling.
Just ask Paul Mainieri, South Carolina’s first-year baseball coach, who arrived in Columbia last summer. His focus, as it had been during his 15-year tenure at LSU, was clear: Win the SEC and chase national championships. But he quickly learned there was another expectation at South Carolina—beating Clemson.
“All anyone in this town talks about is playing Clemson,” Mainieri admitted after Tuesday’s win over Gardner-Webb. “I’ve never seen anything like it… I’m starting to think fans care more about how we do against Clemson than how we do in the SEC.”
A Familiar Perspective
This isn’t the first time a Gamecocks coach has been caught off guard by the magnitude of the rivalry. Steve Spurrier, who took over South Carolina football in 2005, had a similar experience.
Back then, locker rooms, offices, and even booster club meetings were filled with one unwavering message: “Beat Clemson.” Fans told Spurrier they’d be happy winning just one game—as long as it was against the Tigers.
“I’d rather win them all and lose to Clemson if that was the choice,” Spurrier responded at the time.
Two Coaches, Same Challenge
Beyond their shared South Carolina experience, Mainieri and Spurrier have striking similarities.
- Both played at SEC programs (Mainieri started at LSU, Spurrier won the Heisman at Florida).
- Both coached at their alma mater and won national championships.
- Both took coaching breaks late in their careers before landing at South Carolina.
- Neither had ties to the Palmetto State before arriving in Columbia.
And both had to figure out how to balance a historic rivalry with the broader goal of winning in the SEC.
“My belief is you don’t talk about one team the entire year,” Spurrier said in 2012. “We take it seriously, but we don’t talk about beating Clemson all year long anymore.”
That shift in focus paid off—when Spurrier arrived, South Carolina had lost seven of the last eight Palmetto Bowls. By the time he left, he had flipped the script, finishing 6-4 against Clemson, including a dominant five-game winning streak from 2009-2013.
Even so, Spurrier never wavered on his priority.
“If you ask our fans at South Carolina,” Spurrier said at the 2014 SEC Media Days, “I can assure you a majority would say, ‘We would rather beat Clemson than win the SEC.’ Personally, I’d rather win the SEC. I don’t mind saying that.”
A Different Dynamic in Baseball
The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry carries a different weight in baseball. Unlike football, where a loss to Clemson could derail a title run, baseball allows more room for recovery.
On Wednesday, former USC baseball coach and athletic director Ray Tanner called Mainieri to discuss the rivalry. He reminded him of the 2010 Gamecocks, who lost two of three to Clemson in the regular season—including a 19-6 blowout in Columbia—only to turn around and beat the Tigers twice in the College World Series on their way to a national championship.
“I’m not downplaying the importance of these games—they’re very, very important,” Mainieri said Wednesday. “But when these games are over—no matter what the results are—we’re going to have a lot of baseball left to play.”
It’s a tricky balance. Treat the Clemson series like the World Series, and what happens next? Win, and the team might think their road to Omaha is smooth sailing. Lose, and confidence could take a major hit.
“I preach to our players all the time that every game and every practice matters,” Mainieri said. “That way, when the big games come around, you don’t have to try harder than you do every day.”
