Clemson’s matchup with NC State is important for many reasons

Every game is a big game. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney tells us that every week.

Of course, next Saturday’s game against rival NC State will be the biggest game on the schedule because it’s the next game. However, considering how the 2024 season has started in the ACC, this game is huge.

The Tigers are 1-1 and have not played a conference game, while Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, Georgia Tech and Florida State have already played league games. The Yellow Jackets and Seminoles have already played two games each.

So it’s important for Clemson to get off to a good start, as is the case for the Wolfpack, who are also kicking off their ACC schedule.

Most of the league has yet to play a conference game. However, Miami, Cal, UNC, Pitt and Duke are all 3-0, while Louisville is 2-0. NC State, SMU and Virginia Tech are all 2-1, while the Tigers and Stanford are 1-1 overall. Wake Forest is 1-2, while the Seminoles are 0-3, including an 0-2 record in the ACC.

What do we know about the league so far and how does that affect Clemson?

Right now, Miami appears to be the favorite, and rightfully so. Not only did they beat Florida by 24 points in Gainesville, Florida, but since that win, the Canes have beaten Florida A&M 56-9 and Ball State 62-0.

It looks like, with Cam Ward leading the offense, the U is back in Miami.

How legit is Pittsburgh?

Well, they rallied from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit in Cincinnati to beat the Bearcats on Sept. 7 and then followed that up on Saturday with a 10-point comeback in the final four minutes of the game to defeat rival West Virginia.

I’m not sure how good the Tar Heels are. They lost starting quarterback Max Johnson in the season opener, but found a way to beat Minnesota on the road. UNC did beat lowly Charlotte and NC Central in the next one, though, so what do we really know about them?

Duke and Louisville haven’t beaten anyone with such a tight matchup, so there’s no telling how good the Blue Devils or Cardinals will be.

So what should we expect next week in Death Valley? I don’t know, but I do know this: It will be a big game for Clemson and it will be a chance for the Tigers to prove to the ACC that they are a serious contender for the league championship.