Clemson Football 2022 Schedule Breakdown: Vol. 1

SEPT. 5 (MONDAY) • AT GEORGIA TECH • MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM, ATLANTA, GA.

One year after opening the 2021 season at the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Clemson will open the 2022 campaign at the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, marking the first time Clemson has opened back-to-back years in NFL facilities.

The contest, which is classified as a Georgia Tech home game despite being moved off-campus, will represent Clemson’s second season opener against Georgia Tech in the Dabo Swinney era, joining a 52-14 home win against the Yellow Jackets to open the 2019 season in the first live game ever played on ACC Network.

There’s a lot of room for error here which is a great opportunity to get some in-game experience for the younger players. Not to overdramatize here, this will be one of the most anticipated season openers in a while. The reason? Questions from 2021 still haunt the Tigers.

I’m of the belief, while Geoff Collins continues to make strides, the Yellow Jackets will be outmatched in this contest. Even if the offense struggles, the defense will render Tech’s offense helpless. Even in spite of the uncomfortably close game in 2021, it really was an anomaly, Dabo Swinney and The Tigers win this one handily.

SEPT. 10 • VS. FURMAN • MEMORIAL STADIUM, CLEMSON, S.C.

On a short turnaround, Clemson will face Furman for the Tigers’ home opener on Sept. 10 as part of Clemson’s annual non-conference scheduling philosophy of facing two Power-5 conference opponents, a G5 conference opponent and an in-state FCS squad.

Clemson is 96-17-8 in home openers against 38 different opponents all-time, and the Tigers are 36-0 against FCS opponents since the Division I split in 1978, winning 35 of the 36 games by double digits.

On this Saturday, Clemson’s home opener will be another opportunity for the Tigers to shake off the rust from last year. While Furman and Clemson have played many times, the Tigers have, in the last 4 decades, dominated the Paladins. I suspect more of the same in this contest. This game should afford the Tigers the opportunity to build some experience for the younger players. If my suspicions are correct, we will see a potential record setting day for the Tigers.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the next two matchups, one played in Death Valley, the other on Tobacco Road.

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