Way-too-early look: South Carolina

Today, we conclude our way-too-early look at each of Clemson's 12 regular season opponents with their in-state rival the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Today, we conclude our way-too-early look at each of Clemson's 12 regular season opponents with their in-state rival the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Head coach: Will Muschamp became the first coach to take South Carolina to bowl games in each of his first three seasons. Steve Spurrier’s first three Carolina teams were bowl-eligible, but the 2007 squad did not receive a bowl bid following a 6-6 campaign. If Muschamp is going to accomplish the feat for a fourth season it will require an incredible effort.

The Gamecocks schedule features five of the top 10 teams in the preseason polls on its docket, including the projected No. 1, 2 and 3-ranked teams heading into the 2019 season, the returning national champions, three defending conference champions and six opponents that won 10 or more games in 2018.

In fact, the Gamecocks boast the most difficult schedule in the nation according to ESPN.

Gamecocks on offense: Bryan McClendon begins his fourth season in Columbia and his second as the sole offensive coordinator. 

McClendon was put in charge of the offense and called the plays for the 2018 Outback Bowl and was later named the full-time offensive coordinator. 

In 2018, Carolina averaged 30.1 points, 152.8 yards rushing, 272.8 yards passing and 425.6 total yards per game, the most since 2014. The Gamecocks had a school-record five games of 500 yards or more, including back-to-back games of 600 yards against Chattanooga and Clemson. 

Carolina also set a single-season school record with five passes of 70 yards or more. Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards continued their march up the career receiving charts, both figuring into the top-10 in yards and receptions.

Gamecocks on defense: Travaris Robinson is currently in his fourth season in Columbia, where he serves as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.

The Gamecocks led the SEC and were ranked ninth in the country with 28 turnovers forced, while ranking 25th in points allowed per game at 20.7 in 2017. The Gamecocks held 11 of 13 opponents to fewer points than its season average. 

The Gamecock defense also tied for 10th in the nation in turnovers forced with 27 during the 2016 campaign, including 15 interceptions

The early line: The Gamecocks will be looking to break a current five-game losing streak to the Tigers. Last season, the Gamecocks suffered a 21-point loss to the Tigers, and Vegas thinks this season will end in a similar fashion for South Carolina.

The Tigers are currently 23.5 point favorites to extend their streak to six games.