Watson’s 4 TDs lead No. 1 Clemson to 37-32 victory

STYLE POINTS: “Count on Clemson sticking it to SC should it have the chance to protect its place atop the College Football Playoff rankings — and enhance the Heisman Trophy chances of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

“I’m not even thinking about that”, Elliott said when asked his thoughts on retaining the position. As for SC, the Gamecocks are 3-8 straight up and 4-6 at the betting window. The sophomore quarterback would score the difference maker to end a 10-play drive with 8:05 to go from three yards out.

Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said his players have steadily built up confidence with each victory, something he expects to peak against the Tigers even with the odds stacked heavily against them.

Clemson was sloppy throughout its 37-32 win against rival SC, but Watson lifted the Tigers on his shoulders and carried them to a win.

The Tigers’ defense, though, didn’t let the Gamecocks capitalize on the mistakes.

He scored Clemson’s first touchdown on a five-yard run and broke the game open with a attractive 55-yard touchdown strike to Deon Cain down the right sideline. The Gamecocks were coming off a loss to The Citadel, and the players, who at one point were playing to try to earn Elliott the job, were aware entering Saturday’s game he would most likely not be USC’s next full-time head coach.

No. 19 MISSISSIPPI 38, NO. 23 MISSISSIPPI STATE 27: In Starkville, Mississippi, Chad Kelly threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead Mississippi. Orth firing a flawless strike to All-American Pharoh Cooper, resulting in a 57-yard touchdown for SC.

“It’s not about being pretty all the time”, Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney told ESPN’s Jeannine Edwards in an interview on the field. Greg Huegel’s extra point attempt, however, would fail. “He was the difference in the game”. “We’re going to get everybody’s best effort each and every week”. They make everyone else better. “I think the players are a reflection of those who are coaching them”. He just doesn’t flinch.

The Tigers added to their lead a few minutes later. Carson added an 11-yard touchdown reception to USC’s tally, but it simply wasn’t enough. But if we’re parsing the performance with an eye toward the ACC title game and a potential playoff berth, the Tigers showed some flaws.

North Carolina was No. 1 for a week in 1948 when it finished 9-1-1 and ended No. 3. Unfortunately for Gamecock supporters, the Tigers are the team with everything to gain as they come to Columbia as the top-ranked team in the country. “Definitely not satisfied with it. Can’t be with 3-9”. “That came during the period of when we were making shots”.