The rivalry game has become a South Carolina institution.
Clemson and South Carolina would be required to play at least one football game every year under a bill up for debate in a South Carolina House subcommittee Wednesday.
Chapin Republican Nathan Ballentine says he’s pushing the bill because he’s afraid the conference alignments currently hitting the college football world may eventually break up the rivalry.
“This is something I support. These are two state-funded universities, these are two of our largest universities, and this is something we can take pride in,” says Ballentine.
He says he believes the schools have a right to be proud of their rivalry, which is one of the longest in the country,
However, both USC and Clemson oppose the bill, saying the legislature should not get involved in football scheduling.
Ballentine said he’s not trying to interfere, “I don’t want an outside conference from outside South Carolina telling us who we’re going to play and who we’re not.”
The bill will be in a House Education subcommittee Wednesday morning.
