Clemson football schedule: Ranking the Tigers' 2022 opponents

For most college football programs, it's not considered a "down year" when you win 10 games and finish in the Top 25 rankings, but Clemson isn't most programs.

Dabo Swinney has built a recruiting machine that put this team in six straight ACC titles and College Football Playoff appearances, plus two national championships, both against the dynasty of the 21st century, Alabama.

But there's no denying that Clemson took a step back last season, suffering injuries on defense and watching as 5-star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei struggled each time out.

Now, the Tigers have to contend with a more competitive-looking ACC schedule while replacing both their coordinators on the sideline.

But the 2022 season brings cause for hope. What can the Tigers expect this fall? Scroll through to see each game this fall, easiest to hardest.

Clemson football schedule: Ranking the Tigers' 2022 opponents

12. Furman

USA Today Images

When: Sept. 10

Where: Clemson

What to expect: Not much to worry about here for Clemson in Week 2 against a team that finished fifth in the Southern Conference a year ago behind a 6-5 mark and was handled by NC State in its single foray into the ACC last fall.

11. Louisiana Tech

When: Sept. 17

Where: Clemson

What to expect: No worries for Week 3 against a Bulldogs team working in a new coach after firing Skip Holtz and coming off a three-win season in Conference USA. But which last season also played Mississippi State close in an eventual one-point loss on the road, and lost by just seven on the road against NC State.

10. Georgia Tech (Chick-fil-A Kickoff)

When: Sept. 5

Where: Atlanta

What to expect: Tech lost two offensive pieces in quarterback Jordan Yates, who transferred out, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who left for Alabama. Head coach Geoff Collins needs to give a jolt to an offense that placed third-worst in the ACC at 24 points per game. Jeff Sims returns at quarterback after passing for 12 TDs and seven picks, but there isn't a ton to work with around him moving the ball. The Jackets were the second-worst defense in the ACC last season, and the unit brings back just two starters this fall.

9. Syracuse

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When: Oct. 22

Where: Clemson

What to expect: Dino Babers comes into what could be a defining season for his tenure at Syracuse. He's only had one winning season out of six, and comes in under pressure to correct a record that includes just 15 wins in 50 ACC appearances. Syracuse fielded the league's fourth-worst total offense and mustered under 150 yards per game in conference.

8. Boston College

When: Oct. 8

Where: Chestnut Hill

What to expect: BC started 4-0 last fall including a win at home to SEC visitor Missouri, but a four-game skid followed and the Eagles won just one ACC game in Chestnut Hill all told. Quarterback Phil Jurkovec went down in Week 2, but will come back healthy and ready in 2022. 

That's good news after the offense ranked worst in the conference in yards and fourth-worst in points. BC gets more than a half-dozen starters back on defense, a unit that ranked No. 4 in the ACC in 2021.

7. Florida State

When: Oct. 15

Where: Tallahassee

What to expect: FSU started 0-2 last fall, including a home loss to Jacksonville State, but ranked in the middle of the pack in the ACC in most categories. Jordan Travis returns at quarterback after a 15 TD, 6 INT showing last season, including a five-game stretch in which he didn't throw a pick: the Seminoles went 4-1 in those games and Travis accounted for 13 all-purpose touchdowns. Put behind an improving offensive line, the Palm Beach native could make a difference here.

6. Louisville

When: Nov. 12

Where: Clemson

What to expect: Getting quarterback Malik Cunningham back on the field in 2022 is a major positive for the Cardinals. He was a 62% passer a year ago, passing for 2,734 yards and 18 touchdowns to only six interceptions, while also rushing for 968 yards and 19 touchdowns, currently the sixth-most nationally. To get the most from him, though, Louisville needs to find replacements at receiver.

5. South Carolina

USA Today Images

When: Nov. 26

Where: Clemson

What to expect: Likely an improved team that it did a year ago, at least on offense. Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler — a Heisman favorite going into 2021 — is leading this group now and he'll have Austin Stogner at tight end. But Clemson should still have a decided advantage lining up against a Gamecocks offensive line that coughed up 31 sacks last fall.

4. Miami

When: Nov. 19

Where: Clemson

What to expect: The Manny Diaz experiment is over, and now The U moves on to another hometown son and alum in Mario Cristobal. He helped build Oregon into a national recruiting power, and now looks to repeat the formula in south Florida. Tyler Van Dyke returns at quarterback, and he'll have Josh Gattis — who called Michigan's offense to a College Football Playoff berth in 2021 — on the sideline. This team beat a pair of ranked ACC teams — NC State and Pitt — that beat Clemson last season.

3. NC State

When: Oct. 1

Where: Clemson

What to expect: Four points kept the Wolfpack from an undefeated mark in ACC play, including a win over No. 9 Clemson with losses at Miami and at Wake. Ten starters on defense that ranked No. 3 in the ACC last fall, come back for a reunion in 2022, as does quarterback Devin Leary, a 3,400-yard passer in 2021 with 35 touchdowns against three picks.

2. Wake Forest

When: Sept. 24

Where: Winston-Salem

What to expect: Wake started out 8-0 last fall behind the No. 11 ranked offense nationally and the fourth-best scoring unit before finishing 2-3, including a loss to Pitt in the ACC title game. Nine of those offensive starters are back, including quarterback Sam Hartman, a 4,200-yard passer with 39 touchdowns in 2021. Clemson handed the Deacs their worst loss a year ago, and should do some work against a Wake D that placed 91st overall last season.

1. Notre Dame

When: Nov. 5

Where: South Bend

What to expect: Last time Clemson ventured up north, it lost as the No. 1 team in the country (before avenging that loss in the ACC title game). D.J. Uiagalelei accounted for three total TDs and 439 yards passing in that game, his only loss in 2020. Notre Dame has questions of its own after losing coach Brian Kelly, quarterback Jack Coan, and safety Kyle Hamilton. Looking at the Irish schedule, Clemson could have a chance to knock this team out of the College Football Playoff race entirely.

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