Clemson football: Game-by-game predictions for 2021 season

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney blows his whistle during practice Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.Jm Clemson 081221 021
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney blows his whistle during practice Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.Jm Clemson 081221 021 /
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N.C. State Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
N.C. State Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Game-by-game predictions for the 2021 Clemson football schedule

Sept. 25: @ NC State Wolfpack

Everyone is obviously looking at the Georgia game and pointing to it as the one place where Clemson could fall, but this stretch beginning right here on September 25 might be the most dangerous portion in terms of a ‘trap game’ if there is such a thing for the Tigers.

NC State has typically played Clemson tough over the course of the last few years and this game will be in Raleigh.

If the Wolfpack find a way to beat Mississippi State during the second week of the season, they’ll be ranked with a 3-0 record coming into this one. Even if they do fall to the Bulldogs, NC State has some of the best returning talent in the ACC and the Wolfpack were picked to finish second in the ACC Atlantic Division by the media.

Devin Leary is back at quarterback and they’ve got several returners on the defensive side of the ball. This will be the first true road game of the season for Clemson and it might be a little closer than Tiger fans might like as the game progresses.

Still, we like Clemson to pull away in the second half.

Scoring Prediction: Clemson 38, NC State 17

Projected 2021 Record: 4-0