Palmetto Proving Grounds

Makes sense. I suppose it's probably similar when you talk about most schools in urban areas vs rural areas.

I get the downvotes. Go ahead, though my point was not trashing Columbia by any means, just the perception of the fan bases when
comparing their college towns/cities. In fact I live and love it in Columbia.

Despite the torrent of downvotes, the OP is correct that Clemson people seem to have more pride in their school.
I think a lot of that stems from Clemson's location in a small, isolated college town and its history as a former all-male military school.
But maybe Carolina fans and alums are starting to get some of that same pride, as a result of our current athletic success, as well as the improvements to the campus and the athletic facilities.

If it was so great up there then Clemson fans would stop coming here, but they haven't.

Not really equal, columbia is a city, clempson is a small town. Do they love Anderson as well? I love our campus, hard to beat in a city setting. Have been told by others the same that did not go to either one.

Clemson followers are not fans - they are a cult - half of them didn’t go to school there and hide their racism behind the urban versus rural argument. I am amazed at how many African-American athlete’s go there - when
there is virtually a non-existent AA community in Clemson and in the student body outside of athletes. The stars get the first class hero worship - but I wonder how many of the “non-stars” end up getting hired by the “good Clemson” fans post graduation.

Clemson is a cult.

After I posted just the one sentence above, I saw that Captiva had the same thought. They are truly brainwashed up there. At a recent graduation party for my daughter, I met 2 Clemson students who found out I was a Carolina fan and their cute little smart ass remark was, "Clemson is better." To which I asked, academically or athletically? The reply was "Both" to which I busted out laughing. I said that academically we could debate at a later time but if you seriously believe that athletically you are better why don't you name any sport you have actually beat USC in the last 2 years. Crickets,

Anyway, the two guys began talking about how wonderful Dabo is. I swear they are brainwashed there. It's a cult. Dabo is perfect for their mentality.

Maybe the op is right, Columbia has gone down in the dumps since that tater became the governor.

very good point - they are steeped in their own nostalgia

Columbia is a city with "Home Atmosphere" People graduate and many remain. The upstate school is merely a check mark on the bucket list of life ... go to college ... move on - thanks for the memories.

For what it's worth - the Mars candy company compiled their 2012 Manliest Cities in America list. Columbia was 2nd behind Oklahoma City ... clemson, not on the list.

Parenthetically - they don't appear to be on any lists of top U.S. animal husbandry studies, veterinarian studies, horticultural programs, or farming schools - besides Ben Tillman what ARE they known for?

And people calling themselves fans who sue the university over parking fees.

they don't appear to be on any lists of top U.S. animal husbandry studies, veterinarian studies, horticultural programs, or farming schools - besides Ben Tillman what ARE they known for?

Line Dancing?

That's your opinion as an outsider but I completely disagree with you. Most of my fellow USC alumni, whether they be in state or out of state, have a tremendous amount of pride in their university. It defines them after they leave and they wouldn't trade their college experience for any in the country.