In a shocking turn of events, Clemson and Florida State have decided to put an end to their annual in-state rivalry games, closing the chapter on one of college football’s most iconic matchups. For years, the fierce competition between these two powerhouse programs captivated fans and fueled countless unforgettable moments. However, with the rivalry now officially over, the absence of this hard-fought battle will leave a noticeable void in the college football landscape. As the dust settles.

For decades, the fierce rivalry games between Clemson-South Carolina and Florida State-Florida have been iconic fixtures of college football, packed with drama, emotion, and playoff implications. These matchups, held just before conference championship weekend, have delivered countless unforgettable moments. But now, an unsettling question is looming: could these legendary rivalries soon be a thing of the past?

With the SEC and Big Ten pushing for a revamped College Football Playoff (CFP)—featuring 14 or even 16 teams—the landscape is shifting. Under this new format, the SEC would claim four automatic bids, while the ACC would only receive two. This imbalance leaves Clemson and Florida State in a precarious position. With the stakes so high, they may be forced to ask a painful question: is clinging to these rivalry games worth the potential playoff risk?

At first glance, the thought of canceling these matchups seems unthinkable—a betrayal of tradition. Yet, from a strategic standpoint, it becomes a more complicated dilemma. Playing an emotionally charged, physically demanding rivalry game just before the ACC Championship—or a play-in game for the conference’s second automatic spot—comes with a major risk: injury. Imagine entering the championship weekend with star players battered or sidelined, all because of a game that holds no bearing on the conference race. Worse yet, while Clemson and Florida State face that risk, their SEC rivals won’t have the same postseason pressure, making the risk-reward balance unfair.

Then, there’s the postseason impact itself. Even if Florida State or Clemson were to lose to their SEC rivals, it wouldn’t technically eliminate them from the playoff race. However, it could hurt their seeding or sap their momentum heading into the most critical weekend of the season. Meanwhile, with four guaranteed spots, SEC teams have more breathing room. The margin for error is razor-thin for ACC contenders.

Logically, both teams might benefit from swapping their rivalry matchups for easier games—perhaps against FCS or lower-tier Group of 5 opponents. Such a move would allow them to rest key starters, avoid unnecessary injuries, and fine-tune their strategies for the championship weekend.

There’s also an intriguing alternative: Notre Dame. Both Florida State and Clemson already face the Irish in their ACC rotation, but what if they made it an annual showdown earlier in the season? It would still be a high-profile, CFP-impactful game but without the brutal timing just before the postseason.

Realistically, tradition and fan passion make it unlikely that these rivalries will be scrapped anytime soon. Yet, as the SEC and Big Ten continue to tighten their grip on college football, the once-unthinkable may eventually become a calculated necessity.