Rivalry games always carry weight. If they go the wrong way, they can spoil the tone of a season. Even if both teams aren’t having good seasons (or if one is), there’s a finality in knocking off an in-state rival.

While Gamecock fans are excited about going to a bowl, they are holding out hope that South Carolina can make it to the College Football Playoff, which expands to 12 teams this year. The Gamecocks were No. 18 in last week’s rankings and should move up when the new ones are released Tuesday evening on ESPN.