Clemson, Full 2021 ACC College Football Schedule Released; Latest on Notre Dame

The ACC revealed its full 2021 college football schedule Thursday featuring a return to the normal format of eight conference games and four nonconference games:

Notre Dame will return to being an independent after competing as an ACC school in 2020, per Andrea Adelson of ESPN. The team will play five ACC teams as previously agreed, although no games will come against conference favorite Clemson.

The Fighting Irish have games against Florida State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia Tech.

Notre Dame reached the ACC Championship Game in 2020 after going undefeated during the regular season but suffered a 34-10 loss to Clemson, which avenged its earlier defeat to the Fighting Irish.

Clemson secured its sixth straight conference title in the process, a path that could be even easier in 2021 without Notre Dame in the way.

Even without Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers will still have a loaded defense and a talented quarterback in D.J. Uiagalelei.

The biggest challenges for Clemson could come out of the conference, with an opening game against Georgia scheduled for Sept. 4. The team also closes its regular season with a rivalry matchup against South Carolina.

North Carolina and Virginia Tech will help open the season with a Week 1 conference game scheduled for either Sept. 2 or 3.

The ACC Championship Game is set for Dec. 4, with a return to a matchup of the two division winners at the end of the regular season.