While some fans may have been disappointed with Clemson’s 2018 home football schedule, we took the time to analyze it. We’ve ranked the home games by the challenge they pose to the Tigers this season.
7. Furman – Sept. 1 – Clemson will open the season against their neighbors from up Highway 123 in a game that the Tigers should have in the bag. This game should also provide all players an opportunity to play, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who will likely battle for the starter position with the incumbent Kelly Bryant.
6. Georgia Southern – Sept. 15 – The challenge this game poses may rise, but that’s dependent on what happens the week before. The road trip to Texas A&M the week prior is one of Clemson’s toughest road games of the year along with Florida St. on Oct. 27. Will Clemson have the quarterback situation figured out by the time the Tigers get home to meet Chad Lunsford and the Eagles for the first time in school history?
5. Duke – Nov. 17 – David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils will come calling the week before the rivalry game against South Carolina. This has the makings of a potential trap game for the Tigers. The trip to Boston College the week prior won’t be an easy one as Clemson goes up against A.J. Dillon, the ACC preseason player of the year.
4. Louisville – Nov. 3 – A game against the Cardinals will kick off the month of November for Clemson in Death Valley. Gone is Lamar Jackson, who’s off in the NFL. Juwan Pass appears to be the guy to replace Jackson. This game is tricky for two reasons: One, Bobby Petrino will have his guys motivated after Clemson rolled in and thrashed the Cards 47-21 in 2017; and two, the Tigers will be coming off two tough games against FSU and NC State.
3. Syracuse – Sept. 29 – Clemson suffered their first regular season loss since 2016 against the Orange last year. Kelly Bryant was forced out after an injury and the defense struggled to slow down QB Eric Dungey and the Syracuse offense. There will be a revenge factor in this game for Clemson when 80,000 fans pack Death Valley, but expect the Orange to use last year’s game as fuel to the fire to make things interesting.
2. South Carolina – The Palmetto Bowl the last few years hasn’t been very competitive as Clemson has won four straight games over their rivals, but many believe Will Muschamp and the rival Gamecocks will be much improved in 2018. With the players they have coming back, it’s hard to believe they won’t be. Quarterback Jake Bentley and wide receiver Deebo Samuel will lead a South Carolina offense under a new offensive coordinator and the Gamecock defense should continue to make strides under defensive coordinator, Travaris Robinson. Tread the streets lightly, Clemson fans.
1. NC State – Kyle Bambard had a chance to crush Tiger fans hearts and possibly Clemson’s chances at a National Championship, had he drilled a game winning field goal in Death Valley in 2016. Miraculously for the Tigers, he missed. In 2017 in Raleigh, Ryan Finley and the Pack took Clemson to the wire. Could the same happen this year? This game falls right before the Tigers head to Doak Campbell Stadium to take on Florida State and will likely go a long way in determining who wins the Atlantic Division.
