“Not Permanent”: Greg Sankey Issues Concerning Verdict for Shane Beamer’s South Carolina in 2029

“Yes, it appears the South Carolina rivalry will not be affected by the SEC’s new conference schedule,” Clemson Insider had let us in on the intel. But things have been quite different since then. The SEC has received another update, which might culminate in a pressing concern for Shane Beamer. The chatter for a nine-game format had been up in the air for the past four years, but finally settled over as college football bled into the 2025 season. However, a lot of wrinkles need to be ironed out. One such crucial element was sorting out the annual rivalry schedule. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey gives the latest scoop on the development.

The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry dates back to 1896, an ugly history that witnesses the Palmetto Bowl lit up every year as a vent to let out the animosity. In the eight-game format, programs feature just one rival matchup over the season. Not that teams had just one rival, but these rivalry games were spread out over the years due to the nature and limitations of the format. But not anymore. Going into 2026, fans will cheer on for three high-stakes rivalry clashes. That being said, the question about the rivalry matchup looms over. It appeared that the Gamecocks-Clemson future matchups will remain preserved. But one tiny hitch might change the game.

“Well, it’s not permanent,” Sankey said of the nine-format rivalry games. “And that’s a fair question, because when we explored this earlier, the phrase was permanent arrival. So these are annual rivalry games, and we’ve acknowledged that we’ll go through a four-year cycle and take an examine or look deeply.” To sum it up, the three rivalry games for each program will be re-evaluated after four years. The recent conference shakeup’s aim is not just to dive into a nine-game format, but rather to double down on the strength of the schedule as well. Cushioning your schedule with not-so-dominant teams will affect your ranking. It’s about going for equal competitive balance. Over the years, Dabo Swinney‘s Clemson has had the edge over South Carolina, with 73 wins and four ties, per the Palmetto Bowl.

“I think what we’re seeing is, compared to our divisional days, the opportunity for the nine game schedule. Remember, it’s not just a three game schedule, it’s all nine provides for the opportunity,” he added. Although high-profile and traditional rivalry games will be given importance, as per the strength of the schedule. With that, programs might need to tune themselves accordingly. Anakey continued. “We understand the importance of some of these long-standing rivalries,” Sankey added. “And that will work to have as equitable a schedule as possible, just given that things change competitively.” Naturally, it makes sense. Rivalries might evolve over time. Competitive or financial needs might lead a program to change its course.

With that, how is the league going about the scheduling?

How will the rivalry games be listed out

Presently, the SEC has not inked down the three annual rivals for each program. According to Sankey, that confusion might be cleared up by December. However, schools might get prior notification on that part. A proposed list had already been compiled by 2023, detailing the annual rivalries, but it is now being revised. For it had its own shortcomings. Aside from stressing traditional rivalries, it accounted for intense competitions, as well, churning out an odd set of lineups.

SEC worked with an analytics company to design a metric to account for the program’s records over the last 10 years, in an effort to make a balanced schedule. But as per the sources close to the conference’s office, the 2023 list will not be followed.

“We’ll look at historical rivalries. That’s a really important component,” Sankey said back in August. Will there be any flexibility to revisit those rivalries? Yes, as he confirmed in his latest comments. The football landscape is constantly evolving, and given how the 2025 season is churning out unexpected scoreboards. The Alabama-Florida State looms pretty near to becoming rivals.

So, how does the 2026 slate look? According to the new guidelines put forth, it has two major changes.

1. Three games against annual opponents, the high-stakes rivalry games, that is the lifeline of college football.
2. Six games against non-annual opponents, rotated such that everybody plays each other twice in four years, home and away.

Greg Sankey’s recent comments have made the murkier waters a bit easier to navigate for the time being. However, a lot of nitty-gritties need to be laid out before the college football moves towards a new era.