South Carolina and North Carolina have officially called off their scheduled football series for the 2028 and 2029 seasons, a move that reflects larger realignments within the SEC and ACC.
Both conferences have announced a transition to a nine‑game conference schedule beginning in 2026, which restricts each team to only three non‑conference opponents per season.
New opponents fill the void
To meet the 12‑game requirement, South Carolina has added Bowling Green to its 2028 slate and will host Appalachian State in 2029. The Gamecocks still need one additional opponent to complete their schedule, prompting a search for a suitable rival.
Historically, the series between the two schools has favored the Tar Heels, who hold a 35‑20‑4 edge overall. However, South Carolina has won seven of the last ten meetings, highlighted by a 31‑17 victory in Charlotte in 2023.
Looking ahead, the SEC schedule for South Carolina will feature matchups against Kentucky, Georgia and Florida over the next four years, while the team must now secure additional non‑conference games to round out its annual slate.