Clemson Football Schedule 2009: A Game By Game Look at The Matchups

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

This first game of the season for the Tigers will be a much better way to start the year than last. Although Middle Tennessee is not a bad team, the Tigers should be glad that they can work out some kinks this first week. Middle Tennessee is a team the Tigers should take seriously because they beat Maryland last year, but as long as they don't overlook them, they should be able to get the victory in Death Valley. I expect the game to be close for a while at the beginning but the Tigers should be able to pull away in the second half and capture a 3 score victory.

September 10th, 2009: Clemson at Georgia Tech

After a successful first game of the season for the Tigers, they will have to make a short turnaround to play in Atlanta only 5 days later. Georgia Tech returns alot of players from a very good team last year. The option offense will require the Tigers defensive to very sharp. Although Tech beat the Tigers last year in Death Valley, Clemson's defense was pretty good against the option. On the other hand, the Tigers struggled most of the game offensively as Tech got great pressure on Korn and then Harper. I fully expect this to a be a great battle under the lights, a low scoring affair to be decided in the fourth quarter. The Tigers won't be the favorites but coming out of Atlanta with a victory isn't impossible and would go a long way in building the teams confidence early.

September 19th, 2009: Boston College at Clemson

Last season up in Chestnut hill the Tigers finally beat the Eagles for the first time in ACC play. As the Eagles return only a portion of the team from last season its easy to think that they might have a down year. Although this is true, they were viewed similarly last season and ended up having a good year with 9 wins. I look for the this to be another good battle for the Tigers, but at this point I think the Tigers speed and the crowd in Death Valley will help propel the Tigers to victory and avenge the painful loss from two years ago.

September 26th, 2009: TCU at Clemson

A late addition to the schedule TCU looks like one of the toughest teams Clemson will play next year. TCU returns alot on offense but a bit less from a defense that lead the country last year. All in all, they will likely come into Death Valley as a top 15 team and will engage the Tigers in a very low scoring battle. Like Georgia Tech this will be a statement game for the Tigers as they will battle the strong out of conference foe. At least point I see this game as a complete toss up because Clemson is at home.

October 3rd, 2009: Clemson at Maryland

After last years shocking loss to the Terps the Tigers have to be excited for revenge. Last year's game was especially disappointing given the many missed opportunities for Clemson that would have sealed the win long before the second half collapse. This year Maryland returns its top play makers but lost many other important aspects of the team. I feel as though if Clemson can avoid missing opportunities like last year, then they can come out of College Park with a victory.

October 17th, 2009: Wake Forest at Clemson

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