Clemson Football: Ranking Tigers’ 2020 opponents by toughness

What Dave Clawson has done in Winston-Salem in his seven years has been impressive. He has taken a program that was sitting in the cellar of the ACC and has turned the Demon Deacons into contenders.

In fact, Wake Forest was a top threat to Clemson in 2019 before crumbling, losing 4-of-5 games after a 7-1 start to the season.

While Jamie Newman is gone, Sam Hartman has starting experience and should be a solid replacement as a sophomore and there’s still reason for optimism. This could be your typical trap game for the Tigers sandwiched between a rivalry game and an FCS bout.

I’ll admit, I haven’t been a big believer in the Gamecocks over the years and the fact that they’re still putting their faith in Will Muschamp doesn’t help their cause.

South Carolina hasn’t won a single game in this rivalry since 2013 as Dabo Swinney and Co. have absolutely dominated. In fact, the Tigers have won by at least 21 points over the past four meetings and while the 2020 season could see much of the same, you can’t discount a rivalry game and how much it intensifies for the underdog.