So, you’re looking for the Tigers. You’ve probably got the orange jersey ready, the snacks prepped, and you're wondering who is Clemson football playing today?
The short answer? Nobody.
I know, it’s a bit of a bummer. But if you look at the calendar, it’s January 18, 2026. The college football season is basically in the rearview mirror for most of the country. Unless you're playing for the National Championship—which happens tomorrow, by the way—your pads are likely already in storage.
Where did the season go?
Clemson's 2025 campaign wrapped up a few weeks ago in the Bronx. They played Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27. It wasn't exactly the fairy-tale ending fans were hoping for. The Tigers fell 22-10 in a game that felt like a microcosm of their whole year: flashes of brilliance, but just not enough consistency to overcome a gritty Nittany Lions squad.
Honestly, the 2025 season was a bit of a roller coaster for Dabo Swinney and the crew. They finished with a 7-6 record. For a program that spent the better part of a decade as a permanent fixture in the College Football Playoff, 7-6 feels... well, it feels weird.
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Who is Clemson football playing today? The reality of the off-season
While the football team is idle today, the rest of the athletic department is moving full steam ahead. If you really need a Clemson fix right now, you should probably head over to Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Clemson women’s basketball team is actually taking on Wake Forest today, January 18, at noon. It’s a home game, so the campus is still buzzing, just with a different kind of ball. The men’s team also just came off a solid 69-59 win against Miami yesterday. So, the Tigers are playing; they’re just not wearing helmets and cleats.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since there's no game today, most fans are already obsessing over the 2026 opener. And it’s a big one. Mark your calendars for September 5, 2026. Clemson is heading to Death Valley—the other one. They open the season against LSU in Baton Rouge.
That is going to be an absolute circus in the best way possible.
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Here is a quick look at what we know about the 2026 slate:
- Sept 5: at LSU (Baton Rouge)
- Sept 12: vs. Georgia Southern (Home opener)
- Oct 17: vs. Charleston Southern
- Nov 28: vs. South Carolina (The Palmetto Bowl)
The ACC hasn't dropped the specific dates for the conference games yet, but we know the opponents. The Tigers will host Miami, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. They’ll have to travel to face Florida State, Louisville, and Cal. Yes, Cal. We’re still getting used to that "Atlantic Coast" travel schedule involving the West Coast.
The Cade Klubnik era ends
One reason today feels especially quiet is the news that just dropped a few days ago. Cade Klubnik officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He finished his career as a statistical leader in several categories, including pass completions and attempts.
Seeing him move on marks a massive transition for the program. He started 40 games. That’s a lot of leadership leaving the locker room. Now, the conversation in Clemson isn't about "who are we playing today," but "who is starting at QB in September?"
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Why you won't see Clemson in the National Championship
If you're watching the news, you'll see a lot of talk about a big game tomorrow, January 19. That's the National Championship between Miami and Indiana.
It’s been a wild playoff run. Miami actually took down Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss to get there. It’s the first time in a while that an ACC team other than Clemson or Florida State has made this kind of noise on the national stage.
What to do while you wait for kickoff
Since there's no football today, it's the perfect time to catch up on the recruiting trail. Dabo is famously picky about the transfer portal, but with a 7-6 finish, the pressure is on to see if he changes his tune for the 2026 cycle.
You can also keep an eye on the East-West Shrine Bowl coming up on January 27. You’ll likely see a few familiar Tiger faces there as they try to boost their draft stock.
The off-season is long, but September in Baton Rouge will be here before you know it. For now, enjoy the basketball games and the start of the draft hype.
Check the official Clemson Athletics site or the ACC Network for live updates on the basketball scores throughout the afternoon. If you're looking to grab tickets for the LSU opener in September, you'll want to start scouting those now, as that trip to Tiger Stadium is one of the most anticipated non-conference games in years.