2020 Clemson Tigers football | |
---|---|
ACC champion | |
Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 3 |
AP | No. 3 |
Record | 10–2 (8–1 ACC) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive coordinator | Tony Elliott (6th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Brent Venables (9th season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Memorial Stadium |
Uniform | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 5 Notre Dame y^ | 9 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 3 Clemson y$^ | 8 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 22 Miami (FL) | 7 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 18 North Carolina | 7 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NC State | 7 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boston College | 5 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pittsburgh | 5 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia Tech | 5 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wake Forest | 3 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 3 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville | 3 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duke | 1 | – | 9 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Syracuse | 1 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Clemson 34, Notre Dame 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2020 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 12th full year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
The season was played amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ACC settled on an eleven-game football schedule, with ten conference games with no divisions and one non-conference game. Clemson canceled their previously scheduled non-conference games against Akron and South Carolina, and kept their game against The Citadel. Precautions were taken to reduce the spread of the virus, including testing, isolation requirements, and limitations on the number of fans in attendance.
Clemson began the year ranked first in the preseason AP Poll, and handily won their first seven games of the season, including a 42–17 win over then-No. 9 Miami (FL). Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19 on October 29, and was forced to miss the team's next two games against Boston College and temporary ACC member Notre Dame. The team escaped with a close win against Boston College, but lost on the road to then-No. 4 Notre Dame in double overtime, 47–40. Clemson won the remainder of their regular season games, and earned a place in the ACC Championship Game by finishing second in the division-less format with an 8–1 record, behind Notre Dame. In the rematch against the Fighting Irish, this time with Lawrence at quarterback, the Tigers were victorious by a score of 34–10, to win their sixth consecutive ACC title. In the final College Football Playoff rankings of the season, Clemson was ranked second, earning them a place in the national semifinal to be played at the Sugar Bowl against third-seeded Ohio State, a rematch of the previous season's Fiesta Bowl. Clemson lost the rematch, 49–28, to end the season at 10–2 and ranked third in the final polls.
Junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the team on offense with 3,153 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. He was named ACC Player of the Year and finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy. The team's leading rusher was Travis Etienne, who was named a consensus All-American all-purpose back. Amari Rodgers was the team's leading receiver and was named first-team all-conference. On defense, the team featured two first-team all-conference members in lineman Bryan Bresee and cornerback Derion Kendrick. Bresee was named the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Clemson's 2020 recruiting class consisted of 23 signees. [1] The class was ranked as the best class in the ACC and the third best class overall according to the 247Sports Composite. [2]
US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Ajou Ajou WR | Clearwater, FL | Clearwater Academy International | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 27, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 | ||||||
Sergio Allen ILB | Fort Valley, GA | Peach County | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | Jul 26, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 | ||||||
DeMarkus Bowman RB | Lakeland, FL | Lakeland | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | May 3, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 87 | ||||||
Bryan Bresee DT | Damascus, MD | Damascus | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 92 | ||||||
DeMonte Capehart DT | Bradenton, FL | IMG Academy | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jun 5, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86 | ||||||
Fred Davis CB | Jacksonville, FL | Trinity Christian | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Apr 8, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 | ||||||
Sage Ennis TE | Tallahassee, FL | Lincoln | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jun 17, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 79 | ||||||
Malcolm Greene S | Highland Springs, VA | Highland Springs | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Trent Howard OG | Birmingham, AL | Briarwood Christian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Dec 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A ESPN grade: 3 | ||||||
Mitchell Mayes OG | Raleigh, NC | Leesville Road | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | Mar 11, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86 | ||||||
R.J. Mickens CB | Southlake, TX | Carroll | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Apr 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 | ||||||
Myles Murphy DE | Powder Springs, GA | Hillgrove | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 271 lb (123 kg) | May 17, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 90 | ||||||
Walker Parks OT | Lexington, KY | Frederick Douglass | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Oct 21, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 | ||||||
Kobe Pryor RB | Cedartown, GA | Cedartown | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Trenton Simpson OLB | Charlotte, NC | Mallard Creek | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Dec 14, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 | ||||||
Kevin Swint DE | Carrollton, GA | Carrollton | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 | ||||||
Paul Tchio OG | Alpharetta, GA | Milton | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 334 lb (151 kg) | Nov 25, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 | ||||||
Bryn Tucker OG | Knoxville, TN | Knoxville Catholic | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 292 lb (132 kg) | Mar 14, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 | ||||||
DJ Uiagalelei QB | Bellflower, CA | St. John Bosco | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | May 5, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86 | ||||||
Tyler Venables S | Central, SC | D. W. Daniel | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 2, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 75 | ||||||
EJ Williams WR | Phenix City, AL | Central | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Aug 24, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 | ||||||
John Williams OT | Canton, GA | Creekview | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Sep 1, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Tre Williams DT | Washington, D.C. | St. John's College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 308 lb (140 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 2 247Sports: 3 ESPN: 1 | ||||||
Sources:
|
Player | Round | Pick | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
Isaiah Simmons | 1 | 8 | Arizona Cardinals | LB |
A. J. Terrell | 1 | 16 | Atlanta Falcons | CB |
Tee Higgins | 2 | 33 | Cincinnati Bengals | WR |
Tanner Muse | 3 | 100 | Las Vegas Raiders | ILB |
John Simpson | 4 | 109 | Las Vegas Raiders | G |
K'Von Wallace | 4 | 127 | Philadelphia Eagles | S |
Tremayne Anchrum | 7 | 250 | Los Angeles Rams | G |
Player | Team | Position | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Sean Pollard | Baltimore Ravens | OL | [3] |
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Demarkcus Bowman | 1 | RB | 5'10" | 190 | Freshman | Lakeland, FL | Florida | [4] [5] |
Chase Brice | 7 | QB | 6'2" | 207 | Sophomore | Loganville, GA | Duke | [6] [7] |
T. J. Chase | 18 | WR | 6'1" | 185 | Junior | Plant City, FL | FAU | [8] [9] |
Xavier Kelly | 22 | DE | 6'4" | 265 | Junior | Wichita, KS | Arkansas | [10] [11] |
Johnathan Boyd | 46 | LB | 6'2" | 217 | Sophomore | Lilburn, GA | Delta State | [12] |
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy [13] | Justin Foster | DE | SR |
Doak Walker Award [14] | Travis Etienne | RB | SR |
Davey O'Brien Award [15] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
Butkus Award [16] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Jim Thorpe Award [17] | Derion Kendrick | CB | JR |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy [18] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
Outland Trophy [19] | Jackson Carman | OL | JR |
Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
Paul Hornung Award [20] | Amari Rodgers | WR | SR |
Wuerffel Trophy [21] | Darien Rencher | RB | SR |
Maxwell Award [22] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
Travis Etienne | RB | SR | |
Manning Award [23] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
Clemson had games scheduled against Akron and South Carolina, which were both canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [24] [25] This was the first season since 1908 that the Tigers did not play South Carolina.
The ACC released their schedule format on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date. [24] Specific game dates were released on August 6, 2020. [26]
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 12 | 7:30 p.m. | at Wake Forest | No. 1 | ABC | W 37–13 | 68 | |
September 19 | 4:00 p.m. | The Citadel * | No. 1 | ACCN | W 49–0 | 18,609 | |
October 3 | 8:00 p.m. | Virginia | No. 1 |
| ACCN | W 41–23 | 18,735 |
October 10 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 7 Miami (FL) | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 42–17 | 18,885 |
October 17 | 12:00 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 1 | ABC | W 73–7 | 11,000 | |
October 24 | 12:00 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 1 |
| ACCN | W 47–21 | 18,629 |
October 31 | 12:00 p.m. | Boston College | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 34–28 | 18,690 |
November 7 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 4 Notre Dame | No. 1 | NBC/USA | L 40–47 2OT | 11,011 | |
November 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Pittsburgh | No. 3 |
| ABC | W 52–17 | 18,819 |
December 5 | 7:30 p.m. | at Virginia Tech | No. 3 | ABC | W 45–10 | 250 | |
December 19 | 4:00 p.m. | vs. No. 2 Notre Dame | No. 3 |
| ABC | W 34–10 | 5,240 |
January 1, 2021 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 3 Ohio State * | No. 2 | ESPN | L 28–49 | 3,000 | |
|
Week | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Final |
AP | 1 (38) | 1* | 1 (60) | 1 (59) | 1 (55) | 1 (52) | 1 (59) | 1 (54) | 1 (52) | 1 (33) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Coaches | 1 (38) | 1* | 1 (37) | 1 (44) | 1 (42) | 1 (46) | 1 (55) | 1 (52) | 1 (52) | 1 (43) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
CFP | Not released | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Not released |
Name | Position | Alma mater | Years at Clemson |
---|---|---|---|
Dabo Swinney | Head coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 13th |
Brent Venables | Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Coach | Kansas State University (1992) | 8th |
Danny Pearman | Assistant head coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends | Clemson University (1987) | 11th |
Tony Elliott | Offensive coordinator/running backs Coach | Clemson University (2002) | 5th |
Brandon Streeter | Assistant coach, Passing Game Coordinator, Quarterbacks | Clemson University (1999) | 6th |
Todd Bates | Assistant coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Defensive tackles | University of Alabama (2004) | 3rd |
Robbie Caldwell | Assistant coach, Offensive Linemen | Furman University (1977) | 9th |
Mickey Conn | Assistant coach, Safeties | University of Alabama (1995) | 5th |
Tyler Grisham | Assistant coach, Wide Receivers | Clemson University (2009) | 1st |
Lemanski Hall | Assistant coach, Defensive Ends | University of Alabama (1993) | 3rd |
Mike Reed | Assistant coach, Cornerbacks | Boston College (1994) | 7th |
2020 Clemson Tigers Football | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Placekicker
| Offensive lineman
Defensive lineman
Punter | Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snappers | ||||||||
Source: [28]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Clemson | 14 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 37 |
Wake Forest | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 |
at Truist Field at Wake Forest • Winston-Salem, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Citadel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. 1 Clemson | 28 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
No. 1 Clemson | 10 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 7 Miami (FL) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Clemson | 17 | 35 | 7 | 14 | 73 |
Georgia Tech | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Syracuse | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
No. 1 Clemson | 17 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 47 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston College | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 34 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 40 |
No. 4 Notre Dame | 10 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 47 |
at Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
No. 3 Clemson | 31 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 52 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Clemson | 10 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
Virginia Tech | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 2 Notre Dame | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
No. 3 Clemson | 7 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Ohio State | 14 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
No. 2 Clemson | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
1 | 25 | Travis Etienne | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
2 | 46 | Jackson Carman | OT | Cincinnati Bengals |
3 | 85 | Amari Rodgers | WR | Green Bay Packers |
5 | 181 | Cornell Powell | WR | Kansas City Chiefs |
The 2015 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by Dave Clawson, who is coaching his second season at the school, and plays its home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference as part of the Atlantic Division, as they have since the league's inception in 1953. They finished the season 3–9, 1–7 in ACC play to finish in sixth place in the Atlantic Division.
The 2015 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his seventh full year and eighth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley." Clemson competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. On December 5, 2015, the Tigers won the 2015 ACC Championship Game by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 45–37, capping their first undefeated regular season since winning the national title in 1981. Ranked No. 1 throughout the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, Clemson defeated the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners, 37–17, in the 2015 Orange Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Despite the success of the season, and entering the championship game with an undefeated record (14–0), they lost to the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (13–1) in the national championship, 45–40. Both Clemson and Alabama finished the season 14–1.
The 2016 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his eighth full year and ninth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley", and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers entered the 2016 season as the defending national runners-up after a 14–1 season that ended with a loss to Alabama in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.
The 2017 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his ninth full year and tenth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley", and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The 2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by fourth-year head coach Dave Clawson, and played their home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference as they have since the league's inception in 1953. They finished the season 8–5, 4–4 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for third place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Belk Bowl, where they defeated Texas A&M.
The 2018 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley," and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his tenth full year and 11th overall since taking over midway through 2008 season.
The 2018 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by fifth-year head coach Dave Clawson, and played their home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference as they have since the league's inception in 1953. They finished the season 7–6, 3–5 in ACC play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Birmingham Bowl where they defeated Memphis.
The 2019 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 11th full year. The Tigers competed as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
The 2020 ACC Championship Game was a college football game played on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. This was the 16th ACC Championship Game and determined the 2020 champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This season, the ACC used a one division format. Instead of representatives from two divisions, the two teams with the best conference records earned a spot in the game. Sponsored by restaurant chain Subway, the game was known as the ACC Championship Game presented by Subway.
The 2021 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 14th year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
The 2021 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Yellow Jackets were led by third-year head coach Geoff Collins. They played their home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium and compete as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The 2022 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 15th year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
The 2023 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish compiled a record of 10–3. The team play home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. The season was highlighted by a blowout home win over No. 10 USC and a victory in the Sun Bowl against No. 19 Oregon State.
The 2023 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by Dabo Swinney, in his 16th year as Clemson's head coach. On the field, the team was led by sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik who was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 3 player in the 2022 college football recruiting class.
The 2023 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Demon Deacons were led by Dave Clawson in his tenth year as head coach. They played their home games at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The 2023 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Yellow Jackets were led by Brent Key in his first full year as Georgia Tech's head coach. They played their home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
The 2024 Clemson Tigers football team represents Clemson University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers are led by Dabo Swinney, who is in his 17th year and 16th full season as Clemson's head coach.
The 2024 Louisville Cardinals football team will represent the University of Louisville as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals are led by second-year head coach Jeff Brohm and will play home games at the L&N Stadium located in Louisville, Kentucky.
The 2024 Stanford Cardinal football team represents Stanford University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinal are led by Troy Taylor in his second year as the head coach. The Cardinal play home games at Stanford Stadium located in Stanford, California.
The 2024 Virginia Cavaliers football team represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cavaliers are led by Tony Elliott in his third year as the head coach. The Cavaliers play home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.