Dew on grass, breakfast casserole, cornhole games, wings on the grill, cold beer + a lot of sweat: it’s almost football season in the South. 🙌 For those of you who don’t have a countdown on every device you own, there are just four whole days left (or less, depending on your team).
With that in mind, we rounded up some of the best Upstate college football games to catch:
🏈 Furman at Clemson
📅 Sept. 1 (this weekend)
⏰ 12:20 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets here
Purple v. Purple: While this may not be the closest game points-wise, those in attendance will be. Furman is just 31.2 miles from Clemson, making for a neighborly crowd. Did we mention that a Clemson student may be starting as Furman’s QB?
A few tips before you go: check out our guide to Tigertown, remember Clemson operates on a clear bag policy + will have metal detectors at a few gates.
🏈 Wofford at Furman
📅 Oct. 13
⏰ 1 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets here
A local rivalry game: The schools are just 37 miles apart + played one another in the second round of last season’s NCAA FCS Playoffs. Wofford defeated Furman 28-10. For parking, ticket + tailgating information, click here.
🏈 NC State at Clemson
📅 Oct. 20
⏰ TBA
🎟️ Tickets here
Anyone remember that gut wrenching overtime Clemson played against NC State in 2016 (when Tiger fans held their breath as Marcus Edmond intercepted the Wolfpack in the end zone)? Yeah, we’re still speechless. Last year’s game led up to the hype with the Wolfpack leading the Tigers 21-18 at halftime, but Clemson pulled out a 38-31 win. It’s no doubt NC State is still fuming from those losses, so this game won’t disappoint.
Hear what NC State’s coach Dave Doeren realllllly thinks about Clemson here.
🏈 Louisville at Clemson
📅 Nov. 3
⏰ TBA
🎟️ Tickets here
The Cards v. the Tigers is quickly becoming one of the most exciting ACC matchups to watch. While they’ve only met four times (with Clemson taking home all wins), the games have been close + Death Valley has been rocking. Clemson defeated Louisville last season 47 - 21.
We have to recommend taking a trip to see Clemson play at Louisville. Unlike most college stadiums, Cardinal Stadium allows the sell of alcohol inside. Did we mention you can see Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby) from your tailgating spot?
🏈 UofSC at Clemson
📅 Nov. 24
⏰ TBA
🎟️ Tickets here
The Palmetto Bowl is the second longest running rivalry in college football.
A brief history of the rivalry: Clemson and UofSC first played in 1896, and while games are currently played the last game of the season (typically the Saturday after Thanksgiving), the game was once played on Thursdays in Columbia (1896-1959) and was called “Big Thursday.” Clemson leads the overall series with 69 wins over UofSC’s 42 (with four ties).
