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-- Once upon a time, Clemson fans entered South Carolina week considering it a very real possibility that the Gamecocks could beat the Tigers for the sixth year in a row.

It's crazy to think that was a mere three years ago.

Everything changed when Deshaun Watson hobbled out there on one leg to breathe life into an offense that was slumbering with Cole Stoudt at the controls.

And now here we are, with Clemson looking to claim its fourth straight win in the rivalry. Seems like a long time ago when some folks were saying Dabo Swinney should lose his job, 11-win seasons be damned, if he couldn't find a way to knock off Steve Spurrier.

It's hard to have a firm read on what will happen Saturday night in Columbia. Last year there was zero doubt in our minds the Gamecocks were in for a severe whipping at Death Valley. It was men against boys in just about every area, particularly on the lines of scrimmage and particularly with the best player in college football throwing it all over the lot against an out-manned secondary.

This matchup feels a bit different for several reasons.