On Wednesday, the SEC and ESPN dropped the bombshell info that fans have been waiting for: the annual Gamecocks vs. Tigers "Palmetto Bowl" will kick off at noon (12 p.m. ET) on Saturday, November 29 airing on ABC or ESPN from Williams-Brice Stadium. While this game time is not unusual, a wave of disappointment and frustration has gripped both sides of the rivalry.
Why Noon Kickoff Doesn't Sit Well
1. A big rivalry deserves a prime-time slot
It's only the most important game on the slate- bragging rights are at stake here, people! Fans are arguing that this isn't just a typical matchup, and it's not. It's the biggest rivalry in South Carolina sports. This matchup is the culmination of the season for both fanbases, and a noon kickoff just doesn't capture the full intensity and spectacle that fans are expecting on Rivalry Saturday.
2. It feels like a slight against tradition
Historically, the Palmetto Bowl has not been consistently played in the evening. But a lot of fans still see a noon start as a downgrade in atmosphere and visibility, especially in Columbia.
3. Tradition vs. tight broadcast schedules
This season's early kick off is a specific noon slot announced ahead of time as part of the SEC's new TV deal with ESPN. So, since the game is being played with the home team being an SEC school, the result is a noon kickoff, but is it a disrespect? As one Clemson fan said, "With the Clemson-South Carolina game being slotted for noon, it's like a sign of disrespect towards the deep history and relevance of our rivalry. Do they not think it's as important as other rivalries?"
What Fans are Saying
1. Local coverage:
Local news station WLTX wrote, "Gamecock fans usually aren't big fans of noon kickoffs, especially when it's a major game..."
2. On football forums:
From Reddit's CFB: "HA TAKE THAT CLEMSON AND USC FANS. NOW YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOON KICKOFF."
3. Across social media:
As Commissioner of College Football: Noon kickoffs are banned. Regular season neutral site games are banned. Every game should be on campus, under the lights, and fueled by hate. That’s how it’s meant to be.
— Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain) June 11, 2025
The Carolina-Clemson football game will kick off at noon on November 29th at Williams-Brice stadium. This game should have one of the premier broadcast slots, late afternoon or prime time. Both of these schools could be in the running for a berth in the playoffs. Shameful!
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) June 11, 2025
I’ve never seen Clemson/USC fans come together more than after a noon kickoff announcement
— Matvei “Matt” Michkov (@mattmichkov39) June 11, 2025
Context on the SEC broadcast:
Under the new ESPN-SEC rights deal, the league now sets kickoff "windows" before the season starts. Within these windows, marquee matchups often aim for a primetime slot, but in this case, the South Carolina-Clemson game is specifically assigned to a noon start, because ESPN/SEC chose the "Early" window for this matchup.
An explanation of each window is below:
Early: Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Night: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Flex: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Flex on 'em 🤙 pic.twitter.com/3BNtkAW3m0
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) June 11, 2025
The Bottom Line
So, it's an official noon kickoff for South Carolina vs. Clemson. And for many, that early time feels like a downgrade for arguably the most important football game in the state. A cultural divide that has unified both Clemson and Carolina fans in shared frustration. The Palmetto Bowl's energy and tradition feels undermined without the lights and fireworks. And whether this will ignite any change, one thing is clear: come November 29, the drama won't just be on the field, it will be in the stands as fans make it known that some traditions won't be sidelined.