Clemson football set to reclaim ACC title, playoff berth. Our game-by-game predictions

Clemson’s 2022 football schedule has one notable advantage over last year’s – namely, the Tigers don’t open the season against Georgia.

There is that pesky trip to South Bend, Indiana, in early November, but the Tigers’ two most challenging ACC games are at home: Oct. 1 against N.C. State and Nov. 19 against Miami.

A school-record 12th consecutive season with 10 or more victories appears to be in the offing, but Clemson, which went 10-3 last season, will be hunting for bigger game, including a seventh ACC title in eight years and a return to the College Football Playoff.

Here are our game-by-game predictions of the outcome of Clemson's regular-season games:

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Sept. 5: vs. Georgia Tech (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)

Last season: Clemson won, 14-8. Georgia Tech went 3-9.

The buzz: There’s not much buzz about these Yellow Jackets, who have won a total of nine games in three seasons under Geoff Collins. Jahmyr Gibbs, their best offensive playmaker, transferred to Alabama, and Clemson’s deep and experienced defensive front should have a field day against a Tech offensive line that is questionable at best.

The pick: Clemson wins, 31-6.

Sept. 10: vs. Furman

Last season: Did not play. Furman went 6-5.

The buzz: The first football game in Clemson history came against Furman on Oct. 31, 1896, with the Tigers claiming a 14-6 win in Greenville. The series was competitive early, but not so much of late – Clemson has won 31 consecutive games against the Paladins.

The pick: Clemson wins, 45-10

Sept. 17: vs. Louisiana Tech

Last season: Did not play. Louisiana Tech went 3-9.

The buzz: Sonny Cumbie is in his first season at Louisiana Tech, where he promises a high-octane offense that could surprise some teams in Conference USA. A bigger surprise would be if the Bulldogs avoid being throttled by Clemson’s defense.

The pick: Clemson wins, 41-7

Sept. 24: at Wake Forest

Last season: Clemson won, 48-27. Wake Forest went 11-3.

The buzz: Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman may still be sidelined with a “medical issue” for this game, which tilts the outcome heavily in Clemson’s favor. Dabo Swinney has never lost to the Demon Deacons and isn’t about to start this year.

The pick: Clemson wins, 31-14

Oct. 1: vs. N.C. State

Last season: N.C. State won, 27-21 (2 OT). N.C. State went 9-3.

The buzz: The Wolfpack, with preseason ACC Player of the Year Devin Leary at quarterback, have a chance to knock off Clemson for a second straight season. In what sizes up as a monumental battle featuring the league’s top two defenses, the nod goes to the Tigers in Death Valley, where N.C. State hasn’t won since 2002.

The pick: Clemson wins, 21-17

Oct. 8: at Boston College

Last season: Clemson won, 19-13. Boston College went 6-6.

The buzz: Games in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, have a soft spot in Swinney’s heart – this is where he claimed his first victory as a head coach in 2008. Boston College beat the Tigers in 2010 and has come close to winning on multiple occasions since, but Clemson has won 11 in a row in the series.

The pick: Clemson wins, 28-10

Oct. 15: at Florida State

Last season: Clemson won, 30-20. Florida State went 5-7.

The buzz: Clemson hasn’t lost to the Seminoles since 2014, winning six in a row, including the past three meetings by an average margin of 46-7. A similar result this year may have the FSU faithful running Mike Norvell out of town by midseason.

The pick: Clemson wins, 30-14

Oct. 22: vs. Syracuse

Last season: Clemson won, 17-14. Syracuse went 5-7.

The buzz: Syracuse, which has managed to play Clemson close multiple times in recent years, has the best running back in the ACC in Sean Tucker, but the Orange will need much more than Tucker to keep the Tigers’ defense from dominating this one.

The pick: Clemson wins, 38-7

Nov. 5: at Notre Dame

Last season: Did not play. Notre Dame went 11-2.

The buzz: Notre Dame always has a formidable offensive line and tight end, but will that be enough to beat Clemson? Could be, particularly in a showdown at Notre Dame Stadium. The Fighting Irish should enter the game 7-1 and a win against the Tigers would be quite the accomplishment for first-year coach Marcus Freeman.,

The pick: Notre Dame wins, 17-13

Nov. 12: vs. Louisville

Last season: Clemson won, 30-24. Louisville went 6-7.

The buzz: Keeping Malik Cunningham under wraps won’t be an easy task, but Clemson’s defense has the personnel at all three levels to get the job done. Louisville hasn’t managed to defeat the Tigers in seven tries since joining the ACC. Make it eight.

The pick: Clemson wins, 28-10

Nov. 19: vs. Miami

Last season: Did not play. Miami went 7-5.

The buzz: Fueled by the possibility of capping an unbeaten ACC season and reclaiming the Atlantic Division title, Clemson will prevail for a fourth consecutive time against Miami. The Tigers have beaten the Hurricanes by an average margin of 46-7 in their past three meetings, but this one promises to be considerably closer for a program that appears destined for a resurgence under Mario Cristobal.

The pick: Clemson wins, 24-17

Nov. 26: vs. South Carolina

Last season: Clemson won, 30-0. South Carolina went 7-6.

The buzz: The Gamecocks appear to be on an upward trajectory under coach Shane Beamer, but there’s still a gap between these age-old rivals. Clemson’s defense won’t pitch a shutout this time, but the Tigers will continue their recent dominance in the series, winning for an eighth consecutive time.

The pick: Clemson wins, 34-13

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football game-by-game predictions for 2022 season