Clemson’s 2025 season didn’t go as planned-there’s no sugarcoating it. But if the Tigers are looking for a clean slate, their newly released 2026 schedule offers both a challenge and an opportunity. The ACC dropped the full slate on January 26, and it’s clear: Clemson’s road back to national relevance won’t be easy, but it will be compelling.
Let’s break down the Tigers’ full 2026 schedule, game by game.
Sept. 5 - at LSU
The season opener is a heavyweight bout in Baton Rouge, and it’s loaded with storylines.
Clemson fell to LSU last season, and now they’ll face a revamped Tigers squad under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin didn’t waste time making waves-he pulled defensive tackle Stephiylan Green from Clemson via the portal and also brought over linebacker T.J.
Dottery, who originally came from Ole Miss. That move stirred up drama, with Ole Miss reportedly retaliating by targeting Clemson signee Luke Ferrelli.
Add in the fact that LSU will be led by Sam Leavitt, a high-profile transfer quarterback from Arizona State, and you’ve got a spicy opener. Clemson, meanwhile, stood firm with its current QB room. That decision will be put to the test right away in a hostile version of Death Valley.
Sept. 12 - vs. Georgia Southern
This one looks more manageable on paper. Georgia Southern, now under the direction of former USC coach Clay Helton, isn’t expected to match Clemson’s firepower.
But there’s a twist: former Clemson running back Keith Adams Jr. has transferred to the Panthers. The hard-nosed back, who didn’t get the touches he wanted in orange and purple, will return to Death Valley with something to prove.
Expect him to run with a chip on his shoulder.
Sept. 19 - vs. North Carolina
Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels come to town after a tough first season in Chapel Hill. UNC went 4-8 in 2025, but they did manage to snag former Clemson offensive lineman Rowan Byrne through the portal.
This will be Belichick’s first visit to Clemson as a college head coach, and while his team may still be rebuilding, it’s never wise to count out a coach with six Super Bowl rings. If Clemson drops the opener at LSU, this could be a critical bounce-back opportunity.
Sept. 25 - at Cal (Friday)
Clemson heads west for the first time as part of the ACC’s new geography, taking on Cal in a rare Friday night game.
The Golden Bears just hired Tosh Lupoi, a former Oregon defensive coordinator and Cal alum, to lead the program. More importantly, they held onto talented quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who’s shown flashes of big-time potential.
This is a tricky spot on the schedule, with a cross-country trip and a short week ahead of a major showdown.
Oct. 3 - vs. Miami
The Hurricanes are coming off a national championship appearance and aren’t slowing down. Miami already boasts standout skill players like running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney, and they’re reportedly targeting Duke transfer Darian Mensah to take over at quarterback.
Clemson fans will remember Mensah well-he torched the Tigers in Death Valley last season with 361 yards and four touchdowns. If he lands in Coral Gables, this matchup becomes even more dangerous.
Oct. 17 - vs. Charleston Southern
The last time these two met, Charleston Southern gave Clemson a scare early, tying the game at 14 before the Tigers took over and cruised to a 66-17 win. That early pick-six from Cade Klubnik still lingers in memory, but this should be a chance for Clemson to reset and dominate.
Expect the depth chart to get a workout in this one.
Oct. 24 - vs. Virginia Tech
There’s some recent history here. Clemson faced James Franklin’s old team, Penn State, in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Now they’ll meet Franklin’s new team, Virginia Tech. One familiar face will be quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who helped Penn State beat Clemson in that bowl game and has since followed Franklin to Blacksburg.
This is a game Clemson will want to circle-not just for revenge, but as a key swing game in the back half of the season.
Oct. 31 - at Florida State
Clemson has owned this series lately, winning nine of the last ten and four straight in Tallahassee.
But Mike Norvell is under pressure. Florida State is just 7-17 over the past two seasons, and Norvell is once again rolling the dice in the portal, bringing in quarterbacks including Ashton Daniels, who started for Stanford in a 2024 loss to Clemson.
This game could be a litmus test for where both programs are headed.
Nov. 6 or 7 - at Syracuse
Fran Brown and Syracuse played spoiler in 2025, handing Clemson its third loss in four games and derailing what had been a promising season.
Ironically, Brown had helped Clemson the year before by beating Miami and aiding the Tigers’ playoff push. This year’s matchup at the JMA Wireless Dome is scheduled for either Friday or Saturday, making it a potential short-week trap game.
Clemson’s only loss in the Dome came back in 2017, but this one won’t be a gimme.
Nov. 14 - vs. Georgia Tech
Few losses stung more in 2025 than the Yellow Jackets’ walk-off 55-yard field goal that sent Clemson to 1-2. That loss snowballed into a sluggish start the Tigers never fully recovered from.
The good news? Haynes King, Georgia Tech’s physical quarterback, has graduated.
And Clemson hasn’t lost to the Jackets at home since 2008. This could be a late-season momentum builder.
Nov. 21 - at Duke
Duke has become a thorn in Clemson’s side.
The Tigers opened the 2023 season with a loss in Durham and then dropped a home game to the Blue Devils in 2025-their first such loss in 45 years. Regardless of who Duke loses in the portal or how the ACC tiebreakers shake out, this one matters.
It’s Clemson’s third road game in four weeks, and it’s a chance to reclaim control of a rivalry that’s suddenly gotten complicated.
Nov. 28 - vs. South Carolina
As always, the season ends with the Palmetto Bowl. No added context needed-this one speaks for itself.
Rivalry, bragging rights, and potentially postseason implications will all be on the line.
Final Thoughts:
Clemson’s 2026 schedule is a mix of revenge games, trap games, and statement opportunities.
From a marquee opener at LSU to a chance to rewrite the script against Miami, Georgia Tech, and Duke, this fall will be a defining one for Dabo Swinney’s program. The pieces are there.
Now it’s about putting them together-and doing it fast.