South Carolina Football Schedule

Experts say Clemson football faces one of nation's most difficult schedules

CLEMSON – The schedule makers did Clemson no favors this fall as the Tigers try to rebound from their first losing campaign in 12 years.

Clemson’s non-conference football schedule for the coming season is rated as the 10th most difficult by the Sporting News. Clemson’s overall schedule is rated as the 12th most difficult by Phil Steele. Steele notes Clemson’s 2011 opponents’ winning percentage from games last season ranks first in the country at 65.8 percent (104-54).

“This is certainly the most challenging schedule since I have been at Clemson,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said earlier this year, “including my time as an assistant. But that is what you expect when you come to a program at this level.

“I don’t know how many teams nationally have three straight games against FBS teams that won at least 10 games the previous year.”

Clemson faces Auburn, Florida State and travels to Virginia Tech in weeks three through five.

Three of Clemson’s four non-conference opponents played in bowl games (Auburn, South Carolina, Troy) and each won at least eight games.

Clemson faces the defending SEC and national champion in Auburn and also faces the defending SEC East champ in South Carolina.

Clemson also did not have much luck within the conference schedule as it draws defending ACC champion Virginia Tech from the Coastal Division where the Tigers will travel Week 5.

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