Clemson football: Most important games of 2022
By Casey Cregan
![Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Ray Thornton III (16) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Ray Thornton III (16) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7e543e777ca6f9499f097da659c6b178905b567660f02c27e617969dbd8dee4c.jpg)
2. @ Wake Forest – 9/24 – Week 4
No. 1 Sam Hartman Wake Forest
— T'N'T College Football Podcast (@TNTCollegeFoot1) April 23, 2022
Sure fire No 1 guy in the ACC. If he was at a blue blood program he would be a sure fire Heisman finalist. pic.twitter.com/BUb68XWPXS
Wake Forest showed a season ago just how good they could be. Nearly winning the Atlantic side of the ACC and winning 9 consecutive games before the Tigers stomped on their hopes and dreams in, arguably the best team performance of the year a season ago.
Wake returns QB Sam Hartman, who had a tremendous season in ‘21 throwing for nearly 4300 yards and 39 touchdowns. The interception bug hit Hartman a little bit, having 14 which for a quarterback of his stature is pretty high.
AT Perry will be back as well and he was one of the few Deacons that still had a big game against the Tigers last season. Perry is a load and no matter how much the Tigers game plan for the dynamic receiver, he is one of those guys that will likely get their numbers regardless of opponent.
The Demon Deacons are usually very steady on defense especially in the front seven and I do not see 2022 being much different: Jacorey Johns at defensive end and Ryan Smenda at linebacker should be the leaders of the front 7. The Tigers need a very good outing in Winston-Salem in order to get the victory.
This is also the start of a run of four games that would be considered the gauntlet of the season, and starting it on the road could lead to problems.