Both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina football teams learned their respective bowl destinations Sunday.

By Tuesday, however, the plans had changed for the Gamecocks.

They were scheduled to face Conference USC champion the University of Alabama-Birmingham (6-3) this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

A positive covid-19 test of a South Carolina coaching staff member, coupled with reports of players expressing a desire not to play, resulted in the school announcing plans to opt out of the bowl game.

South Carolina is 3-0 all-time against the Blazers, the last meeting in 2012. It has won all 3 meetings by double digits. It would have been making its 6th appearance in Tampa, Fla.

The Gamecocks are 4-1 all-time at Raymond James Stadium. They joined Tennessee as SEC teams to back out of bowl bids.

With the 2020 season officially over, South Carolina finished with a 2-8 record.

As for Clemson, it earned another berth in the College Football Playoffs following Saturday’s 34-10 win over Notre Dame in the ACC title game.

For the 3rd time in 5 years, they will face 3rd ranked Ohio State in the All-State Sugar Bowl.

The game will air New Year’s Day on ESPN at 8:45 pm. It can be heard locally on The Lake 93.1 FM.

It’s a return trip to New Orleans, La. for Clemson, which lost to LSU in last season’s CFB national championship game.

The Tigers are 4-0 all-time against the Buckeyes, with 2 wins in the CFP. This includes last year’s 29-23 comeback victory.

Clemson will vie for a 4th national title and 3rd under head coach Dabo Swinney.

The winner will face either topranked Alabama or Notre Dame in this year’s final Jan. 11 in Miami, Fla. The Crimson Tide won the SEC title game over Florida. 52-46.