COLUMBIA, S.C. — First-year South Carolina coach Shane Beamer has had the same message driven home nearly each day since taking the job last December: Beat Clemson.

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Beamer said.

Hearing about beating Clemson and actually knocking off the Tigers are different things — particularly for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks (6-5) haven’t been able to topple Clemson for most of the past decade. South Carolina capped off a five-game win streak against the Tigers in 2013. Since that victory, it has been all Clemson for the past six meetings. The streak most likely would’ve grown to seven straight Tiger victories had COVID-19 not canceled the contest in 2020.

“There’s a lot of excitement from our standpoint just to go compete against a program whose track record speaks for itself,” Beamer said.

Since South Carolina’s last rivalry win, Clemson (8-3; No. 23 CFP) has gone 89-10, won two national championships, six Atlantic Coast Conference titles and made the College Football Playoff six times.

Yet, hope abounds among South Carolina supporters entering Saturday’s matchup due to their team’s improved play late and Clemson’s up-and-down season.

Beamer’s Gamecocks have won three of the last five Southeastern Conference games including wins over Florida and Auburn.

A bounce here, a tackle there and it could’ve been even better, South Carolina tight end Nick Muse said.

“We might be 9-2 heading into this,” he said.

Clemson also has reason for optimism with four straight wins after opening 4-3 and falling out of the Top 25 and the national picture. The Tigers had their most complete showing of the season last Saturday as they walloped No. 21 Wake Forest 48-27, the only ranked win they have.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hated missing the rivalry game last year because of what it means to the people of the Palmetto State.

“It impacts everyone. They’re going to talk about it at church, dinner, Thanksgiving and it’s just a part of the DNA of this state,” Swinney said. “It’s fun to be a part of something like that. It’s better when you win, that’s for sure.”