Clemson Tigers Football: Five most important games in 2015

Photo Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

4. Thursday, September 17: Clemson @ Louisville

A team on the brink of the top 25, Louisville on their home turf will be a tough game for Clemson. The last time these two teams squared off, Watson suffered an injury in the second quarter, as the Tigers barely escaped defeat, winning 23-17. Though having Watson for the entire game will be a larger help, they will now be on the road at Louisville.

Related: Louisville Season Preview and Prediction

The Cardinals are an underrated squad and could cause trouble for Clemson early in the season. Though they lost a few impact players on defense, they are still among the best in college football.

Returning senior Sheldon Rankins led the team in sacks last year and is a huge factor on the defensive line. With new transfers and recruits coming in, the defense should not skip a beat.

This is similar to Clemson’s defense who lost many impact players as well, but they landed many recruits including five-star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Both defenses have lost some key players but are making big strides in replacing them.

Everyone will be watching this game on primetime Thursday night, adding on even more pressure for both squads. This is another intra-division game and will play a huge factor in both the ACC standings and the top 25 rankings.

Next: Notre Dame