Rivalry between Tigers, Chickens needs a trophy

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney treated me with a sideline pass last Saturday and I happily watched the Tigers defeat Virginia to earn a place in the ACC championship game. Later in the evening as I watched games on TV at my son's house not far from Clemson, I was reminded the Tigers' next game was against the Gamecocks.

I recalled coaching in my first Tigers/Gamecocks game in 1968. As we prepared for the game, legendary coach Frank Howard brainwashed this 25-year-old coaching puppy all week that the Gamecocks were really chickens.

I was also vehemently questioned by neighbors and friends about the Tigers' chances to beat the Gamecocks and asked for tickets. I quickly realized the game wasn't only for the Palmetto State championship for Tigers coaches and fans, it was a universal championship.

To explain the intensity of the rivalry, Coach Howard told me, "Boy, it's a 100-yard war!"

It was a 100-yard war that we lost 7-3 and I felt like a wounded soldier after it was done.

Besides the Clemson/Carolina rivalry, I coached in three other intense rivalry games.

At Minnesota, the rivals were from neighboring states -- Iowa and Wisconsin. At Mississippi, the rival was Mississippi State.

From these experiences, I learned in-state rivalries are far more intense than Interstate rivalries. Many in-state rivalry fans are neighbors and the game provides them a chance to harass, tease and irritate each other all week before and after the game. Interstate rivalry fans live a few hundred miles apart and can only

tolerate each other on game day.

It's too bad the Tigers/Gamecocks rivalry lacks a symbolic trophy.

When Minnesota plays Iowa for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, a huge bronze pig created in 1935. Since 1907, Minnesota and Wisconsin have played for the Paul Bunyan Axe. Mississippi and Mississippi State play for the Golden Egg.

I'd like to see the winner of the Clemson/South Carolina game carry a six- or seven-foot tall golden metallic palmetto tree off the field after winning the Palmetto State championship.

Gamecocks fans are hoping a win over the Tigers will provide a higher ranked bowl game, and I'm sure coach Steve Spurrier feels he needs a win to overcome the team's 3-5 SEC record.

The losses have convinced some Gamecock fans that the Old Ball Coach no longer has the ability to win a SEC championship or a national championship.

For Dabo, a win will further deepen Clemson fans' faith in him, help state recruiting and possibly make him a legend.

Each team has advantages in the game.

USC's advantage is the open date last week, giving them 11 days to prepare while Clemson had only five days to prepare. The open date is helpful in two ways for Spurrier -- he can add new offensive and defensive Xs and Os that the Tigers haven't seen as they studied and his players had a chance to rest up. They should be mentally and physically fit for the battle. Another USC advantage is playing in Williams-Brice Stadium, where 70,000 or so fans will be yelling. The uproarious fans will create an emotional inspiration for the Gamecocks and make it difficult for Clemson's offense to hear play changes at the line of scrimmage, coaches' shouting instructions from the sideline or hearing the snap count.

Clemson's advantage is in the heart and minds of players who have won six consecutive games and earned a place in the ACC championship game. Another advantage is being coached by Swinney and having outstanding running back C.J. Spiller.

I hope the Tigers win so I won't be mocked by friends who are fanatic 'Chicken' fans.