Clemson-South Carolina Rivalry at Risk Amid Conference Shake-Up
The storied rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina could be in jeopardy as shifting conference dynamics threaten to reshape college football. A potential scheduling alliance between the SEC and Big Ten may force significant changes, putting the annual Palmetto Bowl showdown in doubt.
Reports indicate that the SEC is considering expanding to a nine-game conference schedule, mirroring the Big Ten’s structure. Additionally, both leagues are exploring a long-term partnership where teams from each conference would face off annually. This move would leave SEC and Big Ten programs with just two non-conference slots per season, making it increasingly difficult to maintain historic rivalries like Clemson vs. South Carolina.
Complicating matters further, Clemson already has several marquee non-conference matchups locked in for the next decade. The Tigers are set to clash with Georgia in home-and-home series in 2029-30 and 2032-33, while also taking on Oklahoma in 2035-36. More immediately, Clemson will kick off the 2025 season at home against LSU, with a return trip to Baton Rouge in 2026.
With non-conference scheduling becoming increasingly restrictive, South Carolina could still opt to keep the rivalry alive—but not without logistical challenges. Since 1960, the Palmetto Bowl has followed a home-and-home rotation, with Clemson hosting on even years and South Carolina on odd years. Prior to that, from 1896-1959, the game was played exclusively in Columbia as part of the South Carolina State Fair’s “Big Thursday” tradition.
If the SEC-Big Ten partnership takes effect, South Carolina may face a tough choice: continue the rivalry at the cost of valuable scheduling flexibility or shift its focus to matchups dictated by the new conference structure. Meanwhile, as an ACC member, Clemson faces its own set of obstacles in balancing marquee non-conference games with the ever-evolving college football landscape.
For now, the rivalry remains intact—but with major changes looming, the future of the Palmetto Bowl hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
