Were it not for Auburn's surprising resurgence this football season, the marquee game Saturday in the Deep South would be Clemson at South Carolina.

The Tigers and Gamecocks are meeting for the 110th time, but it's the first encounter in which both programs are in the top 10. Both schools were ranked in the top 20 two years ago when they met and in the top 15 last season.

Saturday's Iron Bowl has No. 4 Auburn hosting No. 1 Alabama, but is the matchup of the No. 6 Tigers and No. 10 Gamecocks not getting the recognition it deserves?

"Oh, it's appreciated enough," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Wednesday. "It's just not the national game this week. Alabama's 11-0 and Auburn's 10-1, and they've got a lot on the line in that game, so it's certainly going to trump our game a bit, and we understand that.

"We do have two teams that have done very well the last several years, and there will be a lot of bragging rights on the line for our state."

Clemson holds a healthy 65-40-4 series lead, but South Carolina has won the past four meetings by at least 10 points and is seeking its first five-game streak.

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the star of last season's contest, racking up 4.5 sacks. Clowney will be playing in his final regular-season game, having had a prominent role in South Carolina's 31-6 record the past three years.

"He's helped us win a bunch of games, and certainly the profile he had this summer was national," Spurrier said. "His hit against the Michigan running back was shown worldwide from January through August. Hopefully Jadeveon is ready to have his best game here Saturday night."

Pasquali's Pix:

Ole Miss at Mississippi State: Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen could go back to putting up billboards with a fourth Egg Bowl win in five years. Rebels 28, Bullies 21.

Florida State at Florida: Do we really need to analyze this game past the quarterback matchup of Jameis Winston and Skyler Mornhinweg? Seminoles 45, Gators 10.

Wake Forest at Vanderbilt: The Commodores are 18-4 in their last 22 games, a mark topped only by Alabama within the SEC. Commodores 22, Demon Deacons 19.

Alabama at Auburn: The sport's greatest rivalry has never been bigger, but shouldn't we all keep an eye on Harvey Updyke's whereabouts? Crimson Tide 31, Tigers 17.

Georgia at Georgia Tech: The Bulldogs are 6-0 at Tech under Mark Richt, winning three of the six by 31-17 scores. Bulldogs 34, Yellow Jackets 28.

Tennessee at Kentucky: A win by the Volunteers and Team 117 matches the 5-7 records of Team 115 and Team 116. Volunteers 24, Wildcats 17.

Clemson at South Carolina: It's time for Clowney to back up some of that summer smack. Gamecocks 23, Tigers 20.

Texas A&M at Missouri: Perhaps Johnny Football finally tired of having to overcome an Aggies defense allowing 37.7 points in SEC games. Tigers 42, Aggies 23.

Last week:

Winners.....................19

Heisman casualties....6

Pasquali is 267-58 overall (82.2 percent) this season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.