2024 Schedule: Clemson's Opener Sets the Tone, Early Opportunity to Payback the Wolfpack
After a long wait, we finally have a complete look at Clemson’s 2024 football schedule. The Tigers are hoping to make their way back to the CFB Playoffs for the first time since the shortened 2020 season. The road to making it back to the playoff is not going to be easy for Clemson by opening up the season in Atlanta against Georgia and a road trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State. We will be unpacking the Tigers’ schedule game-by-game over the next couple of weeks.
August 31 - vs. Georgia - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
2023 Record: 13-1
Last Game: Orange Bowl, Won 63-3 over Florida State
The Tigers open up the 2024 season facing the Georgia Bulldogs. Clemson heads back to Mercedes-Benz for the second time in three years, the Tigers previously opened up the 2022 season against Georgia Tech inside the NFL stadium. Clemson is attempting to earn their first victory over the Bulldogs since the two faced off in Death Valley in 2013. Clemson and Georgia have accounted for four of the last eight national championships.
The Bulldog’s are coached by Kirby Smart and have won 29 out of their last 30 games. If it was not for their narrow loss against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last season, they could have been playing for another national championship.
Georgia returns quarterback Carson Beck, who is considered a Heisman favorite and the Bulldogs currently are favored in the match-up by 12.5 points. This is also a matchup with huge implications for Clemson as USA Today has Clemson ranked No. 11 in its way-too-early college football top-25.
A victory in Atlanta on August 31st over the presumed No. 1 team, could get the Tigers back on the right track.
September 7 - vs. Appalachian State - Memorial Stadium, Clemson
2023 Record: 9-5
Last Game: Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl, Won 13-9 over Miami (OH)
Clemson hosts its home opener on September 7th against Appalachian State. The Tigers are 98-17-8 in home openers all-time and they are 5-0 all-time against the Mountaineers. Clemson’s most recent win came over Appalachian State in 2015 when the Tigers took the victory 41-10.
The Mountaineers finished second in the Sun Belt Conference last season and defeated Miami (Ohio) 13-9 in the Cure Bowl. Appalachian State has had successful wins in the past, and more recently, during the 2022 season, they had a huge victory over then #6 Texas A&M in College Station.
September 21 - vs. NC State - Memorial Stadium, Clemson
2023 Record: 9-4
Last Game: Pop-Tarts Bowl, Lost 28-19 to Kansas State
Following a road loss in Raleigh last season, Clemson looks to take the reins back against the Wolfpack on September 21st in their ACC opener. The Wolfpack ended the 2023 season with a 9-4 overall record and a 28-19 loss to Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Tigers lead the series all-time with a record of 60-30-1, with the first meeting between the two teams taking place in 1899.
Though the Wolfpack have topped the Tigers in two of the last three meetings, they look for their first victory in Death Valley since 2002. While NC State is losing a few key players to the transfer portal, they have also added some high-profile players as well.
Former Duke RB Jordan Waters joins the team, as well as former Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall and Wake Forest WR Wesley Grimes. Clemson comes off their first bye-week to face the Pack in Memorial Stadium on September 21st and hope to redeem themselves from last year’s loss.