It’s fair to say Clemson and Ohio State fans share a mutual disdain for noon kickoffs.
That frustration was on full display last week when the Ohio State-Indiana matchup was scheduled as yet another Big Noon game on Fox. With the Buckeyes closing out their season with six consecutive noon kickoffs, many of them as part of the Big Noon package, the grumbling has only grown louder.
However, Ohio State and Michigan reportedly have TV clauses allowing them to avoid night games late in the season.
As for Clemson, it’d likely opt into a night game if given the chance.
But Week 14’s matchup against South Carolina was given a noon designation on Monday.
The rivalry renews at a sold-out Death Valley.
New kickoff time announced:
🏈: Clemson vs. South Carolina
📆: Saturday, Nov. 30
📍: Death Valley
⏰: Noon ET
📺: ESPN
🎟️ (Secondary): https://t.co/Xe9OiwX4Bf pic.twitter.com/46Qo6v87Zs— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 18, 2024
And the frustration with a noon kickoff on the Saturday after Thanksgiving was on full display — again.
With this latest scheduling decision, the Tigers are set to go at least eight years without hosting their biggest rival under the lights. As Chapel Fowler of The State pointed out, the last prime-time Clemson-South Carolina game in Death Valley was in 2018, and the next opportunity won’t come until 2026.
This comes after the Tigers declined the ACC and ESPN’s request to move the game to Black Friday despite a series of tempting incentives. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and the University’s athletic department were steadfast about keeping the traditional Saturday date, even at the cost of a less favorable time slot.
That less favorable time slot has driven fans up a wall.
On brand. https://t.co/K1sjToKgJt
— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) November 18, 2024
This is punishment for not taking the offer to play on Black Friday. Fuck noon games. Unbelievable, yet somehow completely expected. https://t.co/GOG8zkh4PH
— Baughn Harris (@dollardognight_) November 18, 2024
Just life in the ACC with this tv contract. Biggest game of the week for the conference will almost always be the national noon slot on ABC or ESPN. National noon > ACCN 7:30 for eyeballs
Can’t even enjoy the rest of the rivalry games bc this likely loss will ruin my day early https://t.co/Q7KROjx2XF
— Alex (@NotAlexCraft) November 18, 2024
This would’ve 100% been a night game if it was played in Columbia. https://t.co/UIhlGt55vL
— Southern Rivals CFB Show 🎙️ (@srfootballshow) November 18, 2024
ACC punishment for not taking the Thursday offer
— RebornFan (BEAT SCAR) (@DonTheRickles) November 18, 2024
Disappointed but not surprised https://t.co/FL24D0v09F
— Cleve (@CleveIsDaReaz_N) November 18, 2024
I hate ESPN so much https://t.co/rWsRnD0923
— Max (@PythonMafia_) November 18, 2024
Bruh. https://t.co/xT6nrd2aH8 pic.twitter.com/pJsIRwhfM8
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) November 18, 2024
Playing 8 p.m. on Black Friday looks pretty enticing right about now.
“Hey Jim Phillips, I kind of like the Friday-night idea now.” https://t.co/TSdcj1zKqQ pic.twitter.com/TpJC3uQQat
— Larry Williams (@LarryWilliamsTI) November 18, 2024