CLEMSON — Back in May, Clemson athletic director Graham Neff approached Dabo Swinney about ESPN’s request to move the Tigers’ annual showdown with South Carolina to Black Friday.

Swinney shot the idea down.

On Sunday, as the 12th-ranked Tigers get set to host No. 16 South Carolina this coming Saturday, Swinney was asked why he feels like Saturday is the best fit for the rivalry when it is in Clemson.

“It is what is best for Clemson. It’s what is best for the community here,” Swinney said. “This is a small town. This is not some big city. This is a small town and we have a lot of businesses that depend on these game days.

“It affects recruiting. It affects the opportunity to get here. It affects our students, so there are a lot of reasons and that is really the biggest thing.”

The Clemson coach said back in July, if South Carolina wants to move the game to Black Friday on the years the Gamecocks are hosting the game in Columbia, then that is fine with him, but when the rivalry is being played in Clemson, it will be played on Saturdays.

“Our (students) go home for Thanksgiving and they get a chance to travel back on Friday and create a great environment and atmosphere for us on Saturday, as opposed to having to leave on Thanksgiving Day and not be with their families if they want to come back and go to the game,” Swinney said. “So there are a lot of reasons but one of the main reasons for me is it is what is best for this community and it’s what’s best for our program when it comes to recruiting and getting people here and all of those things.”

Clemson and South Carolina are scheduled to meet for the 121st time this coming Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon and will be televised by ESPN.