CLEMSON - Next weekend's rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina is shaping up to be the biggest in quite some time. Maybe ever.
With both teams coming off wins against FCS opponents and the Tigers sitting at No. 17 in the College Football Playoff rankings, with the Gamecocks one spot behind at No. 18, it was already going to be one of the few times both teams met while being ranked inside the Top 20.
However, with six teams in front of them losing on Saturday, including a handful of SEC teams, the stakes are now raised. A spot in the playoff may very well be on the line now.
For Antonio Williams, it's a game that he's been waiting on for some time now. The junior receiver missed last year's contest with an injury.
"Looking forward to it for awhile now," Williams said. "Didn't get to play in that game last year. It's a big rivalry. Lot of personal things that go on in this game."
While Williams knows exactly what's on the line, it's about a little more than that for him. In 2022, while he was a freshman, Williams fumbled a punt late in the contest with Clemson needing just a field goal to win and lock up a spot in the playoff. The Tigers would never get the ball back, though, and the Gamecocks snapped Clemson's 40-game home winning streak, while also dashing their playoff hopes.
This year the Tigers are in a similar spot. Clemson needs this game to have any hope of locking up an at-large bid.
"They're in our way to get to the playoff," Williams said. "I am just grateful for the opportunity to get to play them this year. Obviously, you know how my freshman year went. I am just grateful for the opportunity to make up for it."
At the same time, Williams also knows the Tigers can't let emotions run too high.
"I am just trying to leave all the emotion out and play my game," Williams said.
"If you want be your best version, you can' really be an emotional player. Obviously there are emotions in it, but you just got to block all the noise out and focus on your assignment. Just effort. Don't let emotions get in the way because that will get you out your phase."
South Carolina comes in riding a five-game winning streak, while the Tigers have won three straight after a deflating home loss to unranked Louisville earlier this month.
The Gamecocks also bring what is arguably the best defense Clemson has faced all season.
With so much chaos taking place in front of them this weekend, both should take jumps when the new rankings are revealed on Tuesday night, making this one even more emotionally-charged for both fan bases.
Despite all the storylines, Williams is determined to remain focused on the task at hand and that is beating the next opponent on the schedule. Clemson's leading receiver is determined not to get caught up in any of the outside noise, and he knows exactly how to go about doing that.
"It's not too hard," Williams said. "Just stay off social media."
A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!