It speaks to the level the Clemson Tigers football program has reached that a 10-3 season is considered a lost year. And just one year removed from that lost year, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have returned to the national championship conversation and have one of the highest win totals (10.5) in college football betting.
The Tigers’ slip-up in 2021 is mainly attributed to a lack of offensive firepower, as they mustered just 26.3 points per game. Some changes will occur offensively, where Brandon Streeter takes over as offensive coordinator, and DJ Uiagalelei must stave off highly-touted freshman Cade Klubnik. The defense figures to remain one of the top units in the country, although longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables departs as he assumes the head coaching position with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Here’s a look at Clemson’s schedule with dates, times, opponents, and analysis:
Week 1 – at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Date: September 5
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
This will be a neutral site game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The matchup with Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will heavily favor Clemson, however, they kept things close in a 14-8 win for the Tigers a year ago.
Week 2 – vs. Furman Paladins
Date: September 10
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Clemson’s average margin of victory has been nearly 35 points in the last three meetings. The Furman Paladins finished just 6-5 a year ago.
Week 3 – vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Date: September 17
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs enter Year 1 of the Sonny Cumbie era and figure to be significant underdogs in this matchup. It’s a potential look-ahead spot for Clemson ahead of a meeting with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Week 4 – at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Date: September 24
Time: TBD
Clemson has won 13 straight in this matchup. Dave Clawson led the Demon Deacons to an 11-3 record a year ago en route to capturing the Atlantic division title.
Week 5 – vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack
Date: October 1
Time: TBD
This is the second of back-to-back difficult divisional challenges for the Tigers. The NC State Wolfpack return 17 starters from a 9-3 team a year ago led by star quarterback Devin Leary.
Week 6 – at Boston College Eagles
Date: October 8
Time: TBD
This is in the middle of a difficult scheduling stretch for the Tigers, who play arguably the two top divisional challengers (Wake Forest, NC State) back-to-back before hitting the road for two straight road games. Clemson has won 11 consecutive meetings with the Boston College Eagles.
Week 7 – at Florida State Seminoles
Date: October 15
Time: TBD
After some difficult scheduling dynamics, a bye week would have been lovely for the Tigers here. Instead, they hit the road again to face a Florida State Seminoles team they have defeated six straight times.
Week 8 – vs. Syracuse Orange
Date: October 22
Time: TBD
The Tigers are 8-1 across the last nine meetings against Syracuse, who’s entering a critical season in the Dino Babers era. Babers is likely on the college football hot seat after winning 11 total games the last three seasons.
Week 9 – BYE
Week 10 – at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date: November 5
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Tigers finally get a much-needed bye week to prepare for a tough away game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Clemson has won four of the last five meetings.
Week 11 – vs. Louisville Cardinals
Date: November 12
Time: TBD
Clemson has never lost to the Lousiville Cardinals, winning all seven prior meetings. Scott Satterfield brings back a ton of offensive firepower led by quarterback Malik Cunningham.
Clemson's November 12 game against Louisville will be this season's Purple Out game, and the Tigers are set to wear purple against the Cardinals for the first time ever.
With it being the penultimate ACC game on the schedule, it's possible this finally returns. 👀 pic.twitter.com/QOreQrLpre
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) February 1, 2022
Week 12 – vs. Miami Hurricanes
Date: November 19
Time: TBD
Dabo’s squad has won three straight against the Miami Hurricanes, with all victorious coming comfortably. Mario Cristobal figures to have Miami competing in the Coastal Division, so this is a tough cross-divisional draw for Clemson.
Week 13 – vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Date: November 26
Time: TBD
Clemson has won seven straight against their rivals in the Palmetto Bowl. The South Carolina Gamecocks hope to be improved in 2022 with Spencer Rattler at quarterback.
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