Devotees far from home can find refuge in team bars internationally. Both the University of South Carolina and Clemson have more than 45 local alumni clubs each, where fans will gather for the Palmetto Bowl.

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.

Shane Beamer wants to play in the College Football Playoff, but he's not pushing the issue -- yet. As playoff dreams floated in players' minds, the South Carolina coach stepped in front of his team for the first time this week on Tuesday morning,