Ellis Johnson

Ellis Johnson has been on both sides of the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry.

As Tommy West's defensive coordinator from 1994-96, Johnson remembers facilities that were so bad that the Tigers once tried to practice in a nearby livestock arena.

"That lasted about 40 minutes and we left," he said. "The reason most people have never heard about it is because we didn't want to let it get out and risk recruits hearing about it. 

"Clemson obviously doesn't have that problem now. Their facilities are amazing."

Johnson, a native of Winnsboro, was also on Steve Spurrier's staff at South Carolina from 2008 to 2011 as major recruiting hauls helped push the Gamecocks to sustained success they'd never experienced before and haven't since.

The Gamecocks beat Clemson five years in a row from 2009-13, all by double digits.

South Carolina's win last year in Death Valley snapped a seven-game Clemson winning streak in the series.

"I don't think they'll ever get back to winning like they did when we were there," Johnson said of the Gamecocks.

Johnson, whose last stint as a full-time assistant was at Auburn in 2013-14, said Dabo Swinney wanted him as his defensive coordinator when Swinney took over as head coach in 2008.

Johnson's contract at South Carolina had a massive buyout of more than $1 million, and Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips was against the move. Swinney ended up hiring Kevin Steele, who lasted three seasons.

Johnson's son Charlie is a freshman walk-on receiver at Clemson. Charlie had a scholarship offer from The Citadel, but he wanted to walk on at either South Carolina or Clemson. He chose the Tigers in part because of how much Swinney's culture embraces walk-ons.

Ellis has watched both teams from afar this season, and he believes Clemson has been better than all 11 opponents it has faced.

"Turnovers are the reason they've lost four games," he said.

He thinks Swinney's team is significantly better than Shane Beamer's.

"If both teams come in and play well, Clemson will win by 10 points," he said. "But in that game, and at night, and at South Carolina's stadium? You can't count on that happening. There may be some turnovers and other things that happen. 

"Clemson better be prepared for the noise, because on offense it's a very difficult to place to play. It will be a factor in that game. If Clemson sputters and turns it over early and keeps that crowd in it, they're going to have a hard time. But if they come out and control the ball and put points up, take the ball off of South Carolina, it may not be a close game.

"But I wouldn't begin to try to predict this game, because both teams have been less than consistent."