I know it is too early for this, but why not.

Granted we know nothing about the 2017 Clemson Tigers or what their opponents bring to the table this year. Heck, we don’t even know who will be starting at quarterback and may not know until the fall.

However, ranking the schedule really does not have anything to do with this, it just gives you the fans an idea on what games are the ones you need to worry about, the ones you don’t or you don’t care.

So here we go.

1. vs. Florida State (Nov. 11): This should be no surprise. How great will it be on Nov. 11^th if Clemson and Florida State both come into this ACC finale tied for first place in the Atlantic Division? Thank you ACC for getting it right and putting this game at the end of the season.
2. at Louisville (Sept. 16): This game is only this high for me right now because it is the first ACC game of the season and it could have an impact on the Atlantic Division race. However, Louisville has more question marks on offense and defense than Clemson and Florida State have combined.
3. at Virginia Tech (Sept. 30): This game would have been even more appealing had Jerod Evans stayed in school like he should have. Instead, the Hokies have to replace him, along with tight end Bucky Hodges and wide receiver Isaiah Ford. However, it is still hard to win in Blacksburg and the Tigers will be challenged. It should be a great game.
4. vs. Auburn (Sept. 9): Auburn will have a new quarterback. Clemson will have a new quarterback. Both teams are loaded with talent on defense. Do you see where I am going with this?
5. at South Carolina (Nov. 25): Can South Carolina make this more competitive this year? Well, they were competitive in Columbia two years ago. I think the Gamecocks will make this game a little more interesting this year, but in the end, the Tigers still have way more talent and the Gamecocks have a ways to go before they can catch up.
6. vs. Georgia Tech (Oct. 28): In the last two years against Clemson, Georgia Tech’s powerful triple option offense has managed just 166 combined rushing yards. Two of the worst rushing performances of Paul Johnson’s coaching career. Now the ACC is giving Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables an extra week to prepare. Okay, good luck Yellow Jackets.
7. at NC State (Nov. 4): How bad to you think NC State wants this game? It should have beaten the Tigers in 2016. The question is can the Wolfpack have a repeat performance this year against a Clemson team that will be more prepared for them and will not take them likely.
8. vs. Boston College (Sept. 23): The Eagles were much improved last year and they are so well coached. However, the Tigers have won seven of eight and six in a row in the series since Dabo Swinney became Clemson’s interim head coach in 2008.
9. vs. Wake Forest (Oct. 7): The Demon Deacons finished with a winning season in 2016. Clemson is 8-0 against Wake Forest since Swinney became head coach. That’s all you need to know.
10. at Syracuse (Oct. 13): Clemson plays its only non-Saturday game of the year at Syracuse on Friday the 13th of October. Clemson has won all four games in the series since the Orange joined the ACC for the 2013 season.
11. vs. The Citadel (Nov. 18): In-state team, plus the Bulldogs were 10-2 last year and qualified for the FCS Playoffs. They finished No. 1 in the nation in rushing.
12. vs. Kent State (Sept. 2): It will be the first time Clemson has played Kent State and the first time Clemson has played a MAC school since 2012 when the Tigers faced Ball State in the home opener. It will be just the fifth time Clemson has played a school from the MAC overall.

–Staff Reports also contributed

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