CLEMSON — There is no doubt this week’s game against rival South Carolina is huge for the Clemson Tigers.

The Tigers are looking to earn back bragging rights for the next year in the Palmetto State, as well as regain its 30-year stranglehold on the rivalry. Currently, Clemson owns a 73-44-4 mark in the all-time series, including an 18-6 record at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia since 1977.

However, win or lose, once the game is over, some big changes are in store inside the Clemson football program. As we documented earlier this month, there was tension between head coach Dabo Swinney, the athletic department and others.

Though some of the tension has subsided in the wake of the Tigers’ three-game win streak, we hear there is still a push for significant changes.

Through our sourcing, The Clemson Insider expects coaching changes on both sides of the football regardless of the outcome on Saturday.

Speaking of changes, we know a lot of you are concerned Swinney is not going to make a push in the transfer portal if the Tigers close the year with a four-game win streak. There is no need to worry.

TCI has learned preparations are underway in Clemson for a big push in the portal once it officially opens. Remember, there is only one transfer portal window this year for college football, and it opens on Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.

Also, there are a lot of college football players who have already decided to enter the portal or are thinking about it. Some of those players already have an idea where they want to go and where they want to play next season because they have already heard from other schools, though they are not supposed to.

As you already know, former Clemson corner Shelton Lewis has already left the team and plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2. We can tell you he will not be the only one.

Clemson is expecting several current players to follow Lewis’ lead. Some of those names might surprise you.

With Cade Klubnik graduating, we can tell you one of the needs for the Tigers is at quarterback, especially if they want to win in September. The Tigers cannot afford another slow start to a season, something that is becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Clemson opens next season at LSU, so it will be imperative the Tigers find a good quarterback in the portal who has had success as a starter.

As I mentioned in my column, Swinney will have to go to the transfer portal more than he has at any point in the portal and NIL era to rebuild his roster. Perhaps the most critical position for the Tigers will be at quarterback.