COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the season kicked off, both No. 12 Clemson and No. 16 South Carolina faced significant concerns regarding their quarterbacks.
Now, as they prepare to clash at Death Valley on Saturday, the primary question for the Tigers’ Cade Klubnik and the Gamecocks’ LaNorris Sellers revolves around which quarterback might propel their team toward a potential College Football Playoff spot.
Sellers, who leads South Carolina (8-3) on a five-game winning streak, including victories over three ranked teams, stays focused on each moment rather than what lies ahead.
“As fast as it goes good,” remarked the sophomore, “it can go bad in a hurry.”
For both Sellers and Klubnik, who represents Clemson (9-2), the pressure has reached a steady simmer.
Klubnik reflected on their journey, stating, “We defied the odds and that’s what a championship team is.”
Earlier in the season, not many anticipated the developments surrounding both quarterbacks.
Klubnik endured a tricky inaugural season as a starter, struggling with accuracy and decision-making while dealing with frequent sacks. This led to a disappointing 4-4 start for Clemson, effectively derailing their competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference by November.
Doubts resurfaced about Klubnik’s capabilities following a tough 34-3 loss to then-No. 1 Georgia, during which he struggled significantly, missing open targets and throwing a crucial interception.
However, since that game, Klubnik has drastically improved, contributing substantially to the team’s success. Over the past ten games, he has amassed an impressive 29 touchdown passes, including highlight-reel moments that have helped maintain Clemson’s CFP ambitions.
A standout moment occurred during a recent game when the Tigers were trailing at Pitt. With less than two minutes left, Klubnik executed a remarkable 50-yard touchdown run, showcasing his ability to make decisive plays.
“It’s one of those plays you’re always going to remember with Cade Klubnik,” noted Garrett Riley, Clemson’s offensive coordinator.
Meanwhile, Sellers has also risen to the occasion for South Carolina, stepping in as starter after Spencer Rattler transitioned to the NFL.
The redshirt freshman faced his own share of challenges, especially with turnovers at critical moments. His early season was further complicated by an ankle injury during the LSU game, which contributed to South Carolina squandering a significant lead.
Things took a turn for the better for Sellers, who has recently found his rhythm. During the Gamecocks’ current five-game winning streak, he has registered 13 of his 17 touchdown passes while only committing two interceptions. His most impressive outing came against Missouri, where he threw five touchdowns and led the Gamecocks to victory with clutch fourth-quarter plays.
“I always like saying he never gets rattled because it reminds me of Spencer Rattler,” joked South Carolina coach Shane Beamer. “But (Sellers) never gets rattled.”
Both teams have been eyeing a spot in the 12-team playoff, especially with recent chaos shaking up the college football landscape.
Clemson has claimed nine victories out of their last ten games, still having aspirations for the ACC title game if No. 8 Miami falters against Syracuse this Saturday. A win over a rising South Carolina squad could further enhance their playoff prospects.
On the flip side, the Gamecocks are looking to capitalize on their strong performance. Winning against Clemson would mark their fourth consecutive victory over a ranked opponent, capturing attention from playoff selectors.
However, the outcome hinges on how well Klubnik and Sellers perform in front of a raucous crowd of 81,000 at Clemson this weekend.
“This is the game that’s got a lot of national implications,” remarked Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.
The stakes are high for both quarterbacks as they seek to finish off the season in a memorable fashion, leaving a legacy in the Palmetto State.