(This story was updated to add new information.)
CLEMSON — Future Clemson football nonconference games are in jeopardy following the ACC's announcement on Sept. 22 to move from an eight-game conference schedule to nine.
The ACC hasn't announced when this change will go into effect, but ESPN reported it will happen in 2027. Each ACC school will have to play a minimum of 10 games each season against Power Four opponents.
"There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today's decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs," ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said.
Clemson and in-state, out-of-conference rival South Carolina are committed to facing each other as both the ACC and SEC will move to nine conference games. Still, the Tigers will have to decide what they will do for their other nonconference games.
Clemson and Notre Dame agreed in May to face each other for 12 years starting in 2027 , which would make the Tigers face 11 Power Four teams out of 12 regular-season games that season. Clemson's non-Power Four game would be against Wofford, an in-state FCS program.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney isn't a fan of playing 11 Power Four teams in a season.
"I think that's stupid. I think that's a problem," Swinney said on his radio show on Sept. 22. "Somewhere along the line, you have to have some common sense . . . We've always played 10, but if other people are playing nine, and we're playing 11, it's not very advantageous for your program."
Clemson's nonconference schedule is usually games against South Carolina , a Group of Five program, an in-state FCS school and a matchup against another Power Four school. However, Clemson will have to cut some of its nonconference games in 2028 and 2029 and consider canceling a matchup in 2030, 2032, 2033, 2035 and 2036.
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In 2028, Clemson faces Troy (a Group of Five program), The Citadel (an in-state FCS school), Notre Dame and South Carolina. The Tigers will have to cut the Troy or The Citadel game because this would be 13 regular-season games unless they want to stop the Palmetto Bowl for a year or snap its newly agreed agreement with the Irish after a season of facing each other.
Clemson has a similar dilemma in 2029 as the Tigers will battle Notre Dame, South Carolina, Georgia, East Carolina (a Group of Five program) and Furman (in-state FCS school). It is unlikely the Tigers would have a full 12-game schedule against Power Four opponents, so they will likely have to cut the Georgia game and either East Carolina or Furman.
After 2029, Clemson's nonconference schedule includes annual matchups against Notre Dame and South Carolina and a Power Four matchup against Georgia in 2030, 2032 and 2033 and Oklahoma in 2035 and 2036.
The Tigers will have to decide again if they want a 12-game schedule against Power Four programs or cut their scheduled games against Georgia and Oklahoma to add a Group of Five or FCS opponent.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ACC football: Why Clemson football may have to end games vs Georgia
