With the reveal of the worst-kept secret in a while (Clemson opening at Duke) the Clemson football schedule for 2023 was released at the end of January.
For the second consecutive season the Tigers play three games in twelve days to start the season and while no one is going to confuse Duke and Charleston Southern with Georgia and Ohio State, it’s still notable (to me) and out of the ordinary (to every other college football team).
Most of the time if a team plays on Labor Day night they are off one of the next two Saturdays, but not our Clemson Tigers, they play straight through the first half of the season.
Half of the Clemson football games will be played in 33 days to start the season
I use that term, “first half of the season”, loosely because those six games are played in a span of 33 days, from September 4 to October 7.
I get it, I’m picking nits, but that’s what I do here, at least some of the time.
Football is about routine. There’s a reason the most successful teams talk about “the process” and not the results. Coaches love routines.
Playing on Monday and then again on Saturday upsets that routine. That’s all I’m saying.
On to those Dubs and L’s.
Monday, September 4 at Duke
I can’t believe I’m typing this but Duke’s the latest hot name in the ACC after finishing 9-4 in 2022. The Blue Devils are much improved and they’ll be facing a Clemson team running a new offense with a newish quarterback.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Sure, there’s a chance, but the Tigers have the better, more talented athletes all over the field.
(Duke also starts with 3 games in 12 days – thanks, ACC)
Result: W
Saturday, September 9 Charleston Southern
I’m so old this school was once known as The Baptist College. Look it up kids.
The Buccaneers were 2-8 last year, beating up on two kids named Bryant and Robert Morris and losing to North Carolina State by 52 points.
Result: W
Saturday, September 16 Florida Atlantic
The Owls are coming of a 5-7 season, moving to a new conference and will be coached by Tom Herman, late of Texas and a few other places.
This and the following week’s game at Illinois is all that’s on the schedule so far as they move to the AAC and really those two games will keep the athletic department afloat.
Result: W
Saturday, September 23 Florida State
OK, it’s time to get serious as the Seminoles visit early in the season and the conspiracy theorists are guessing that the ACC has scheduled this so the loser can “recover” and the teams will rematch in the ACC Championship Game now that there are no divisions.
That makes perfect sense, but do we really think the ACC is that smart?
I talked about routine earlier and this will be the Tigers third consecutive home game.
Florida State is headed in the right direction, but I tend to think they need another year before catching Clemson, especially when 2024 will be in Tallahassee.
Result: W
Saturday, September 30 at Syracuse
Look out for this one. Half of me thinks Clemson wins easily and half of me thinks it’s a battle.
Does Clemson struggle at Syracuse? Folks like to point to 2017, but remember that was an injured Kelly Bryant and Zerrick Cooper under center (or at least behind the center). Please.
After Clemson trounced the Orange 41-6 in 2019 at the loudest stadium in the world, it was another close one in 2021.
I’ll worry if the quarterback is not Cade Klubnik. Otherwise…
Result: W
Saturday, October 7 Wake Forest
Clemson beat Wake with Sam Hartman and I don’t see them losing to Wake with Sam in South Bend.
Not to dismiss Wake, they’re well coached and do more with less than any team in America.
Result: W
Saturday, October 21 at Miami (FL)
After a week off the Tigers biggest road test (until next week) of the season comes along. Miami is a team full of talent that can’t seem to get out of their own way and one wonders if 2023 will be the year they put it all together.
Doubt it, but…
This would seem to be the year with Clemson traveling to south Florida and I think there’s a fair chance the Hurricanes can win this game.
But will they? I have to see it to believe it and I haven’t seen it yet.
Result: W
Saturday, October 28 at North Carolina State
As I sit here in February, I’m torn on this one. I’m not torn on Dave Doeren. Can’t stand the guy or his antics.
That said, I credit his teams for playing physical, smart football and being prepared when they play Clemson.
Quarterback could be an issue with Devin Leary having moved on, so this is one I reserve the right to change my mind a couple of times, but I’ve preached location location location and this one is in Raleigh and a second straight road game for Clemson.
Result: L
Saturday, November 7 Notre Dame
Speaking of Sam Hartman…
I just need to know if it’s going to rain, because apparently that’s the only way Clemson can beat Notre Dame in Death Valley.
A third straight “big” game and one in which the Tigers are likely to be coming off a physical pounding in Raleigh, win or lose.
The Irish will also have a new quarterback, OC and OL coach.
What did I say above? Location location location.
Clemson won’t lose two straight, especially with the second one being at home.
Result: W
Saturday, November 14 Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets played much better after the coaching change, but don’t have the horses to hang with Clemson on the road (or at home, for that matter).
If Georgia Tech can start to pull some Atlanta (and Georgia) talent on the regular this could get interesting, but that’s down the road, not in 2023.
Result: W
Saturday, November 21 North Carolina
Location location location. Mack gets his quarterback back, but will the horseshoe still be on his side (5 wins by 3 or less)? Not in Death Valley.
This is also a bad sandwich spot for the Heels, with Duke the week prior and North Carolina State the week after.
Result: W
Saturday, November 28 at South Carolina
What have I been preaching? Location location location. The Gamecocks will likely benefit from an end of season “gauntlet” of Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt and Kentucky before hosting Clemson in Billy B. and the injuries that are going to heal will likely be healed.
The Cocks have been crowing, but the question is will they still be talking after the first 8 games on 2023?
Give them credit, they won in Clemson, something no one’s done since 2016, but you’d have thought they won by 30 last November.
Shockingly an SEC team is being given too much credit for a mediocre season.
Location matters and Clemson owns Williams-Brice Stadium.
Result: W