When Clemson plays Penn State is Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl, it will mark the eighth time the Tigers have taken on a team from the Big Ten.

In the previous seven meetings vs. the Big Ten, Clemson has posted a 5-2 record, including a 35-10 win over the Nittany Lions in the 1988 Citrus Bowl.

But playing other elite programs like Penn State is not only for bowl games. For years, Clemson has played big-time programs, mostly from the SEC.

In fact, the Tigers opened the 2025 season against LSU and will visit Baton Rouge next year to start the season. They have also played Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M and Notre Dame in the past.

During Friday’s pregame press conference for the Pinstripe Bowl, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney mentioned how the Tigers had a great fall camp but were unable to capitalize on that and build momentum early in the season.

The Tigers opened the season with a 17-10 loss to LSU, which took them several weeks to recover from, while starting the season 1-3 and then 3-5.

Swinney was asked if he would reconsider opening the season against SEC foes.

“It is what it is. Just play the schedule as it comes out and keep moving forward,” Swinney said.

Since 2021, Clemson has lost to Georgia (twice) and LSU in season openers. The Tigers have lost three straight season openers and four of the last five.

Clemson and Penn State kick off Saturday (noon, ABC) at Yankee Stadium in New York.