Last summer, when headlines broke that the ACC and ESPN were proposing to move the 2024 Palmetto Bowl to Black Friday, South Carolina fans were intrigued, and some were all-in (no pun intended). Prime-time rivalry? National spotlight? College football's fiercest in-state feud under Friday night lights? Sign us up. But there was one problem with the idea...Clemson said no. Despite the incentives, tv exposure, and even a fair trade-off for South Carolina hosting a future Black Friday game, the Tigers declined. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and athletic director Graham Neff nixed the idea, stating they were not interested in Friday football in Death Valley.
What often gets lost in this story is that the Gamecocks seemed at least interested. South Carolina officials confirmed that they would have welcomed the chance to host Clemson on Black Friday at a future date. And why not? Seemed like a fun idea, not to mention the recruiting spotlight, ESPN primetime slot, and national attention would have been a win across the board. After all, doesn't this rivalry deserve a stage worthy of its emotion and intensity?
In an interview with The State, ACC senior associate commissioner for football Michael Strickland confirmed that the league is still interested in scheduling the South Carolina vs. Clemson rivalry game on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is part of a broader plan, Strickland says, to "maximize opportunities" for each football program while also boosting overall visibility and value for the conference and its television partners, specifically ESPN.
While Clemson has previously hosted weeknight games, including Thursday matchups in 2013 and 2019, school officials and coach Swinney have cited some concerns about logistics, city infrastructure, and holiday travel. All of which are valid concerns for a game. Still, the ACC's leadership continues to see the Palmetto Bowl as a prime Black Friday candidate. Strickland was diplomatic about Clemson's possible future participation, simply stating that the ACC would continue to explore avenues to deliver value for its member programs. “If it’s Clemson, great,” he said. “If it’s not, and it’s somebody else that gets to benefit from that opportunity, that’s great as well.”
For now, the Palmetto Bowl stays locked in for Saturday. But the door isn't entirely closed on a Black Friday matchup in years to come.