CLEMSON — After soundly defeating Maryland 45-10 on Saturday, Clemson improved two spots to a number-11 ranking in the latest Bowl Championship Series polls released on Sunday night. The Tigers have a rating of .5921, just behind ACC Atlantic Division rival Florida State, who stands at .6071 in 10th position.

The Tigers are ranked ninth in the Harris Poll and ninth in the latest USA Today poll. Clemson is also 11th in the Associated Press poll, but that ranking is not factored into the BCS formula.

Clemson has made a steady climb since the first BCS ranking on October 14 and with two more weeks to campaign, the Tigers are positioned for the Sugar Bowl. A win over South Carolina on Nov. 24 would likely secure the spot for Clemson. The final ranking on December 2 will be used to determine the teams that will be selected for the five BCS Bowls.

The Tigers will face off with N.C. State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Clemson, SC.

COLUMBIA — The University of South Carolina football team stayed steady in both national polls released on Sunday afternoon and remain 12th in the Associated Press poll and 11th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll.

The Gamecocks are coming off a convincing 38-20 win over Arkansas, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Razorbacks.

However, with only two SEC teams eligible for BCS berths South Carolina will be left out of the more prestigious bowl games.

The Gamecocks’ ticket to the SEC West-friendly Cotton Bowl would have to involve either LSU or Texas A&M landing a BCS at-large spot with the other making the Capital One Bowl. Otherwise, it will be the Outback, Chick-Fil-A or Gator Bowl.

Which bowl game South Carolina lands in will be determined after its meeting with in-state rival, Clemson. If the Gamecocks can take care of business on Nov. 24, assuming LSU and Texas A&M win out, the Outback Bowl is the most probable landing spot.

Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame sit atop the BSC poll and four of the next five slots are taken by SEC teams — Alabama, Georgia, Florida and LSU.

Next up for Carolina is a date with the Wofford Terriers, Saturday, Nov. 17 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia at 1:00 p.m.