CLEMSON — The 2024 season is a vital for Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney.

The 16-year Tigers coach has amassed two national championships and six College Football Playoff appearances from 2015-20. Yet, his team has missed the CFP over the past three seasons.

Swinney is optimistic his philosophy of high school recruiting and development over the transfer portal will yield a return to the ACC championship and the expanded CFP. No. 14 Clemson will know where it stacks when it opens the season on Aug. 31 (noon ET, ABC) against No. 1 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Here's a prediction for Clemson's 2024 schedule, game-by-game:

Aug. 31: Georgia at Atlanta

Buzz: The Bulldogs enter as the No. 1 team in the country and have a Heisman candidate in quarterback Carson Beck. They have been the best team in college football over the past three seasons, posting a 42-2 record with two national championships.

Prediction: Georgia 30, Clemson 20

Sept. 7: Appalachian State

Buzz: App State may play in a Group of 5 conference, but it has a 3-5 record against the elite conferences with each game decided by seven points or less.

Prediction: Clemson 27, Appalachian State 20

Sept. 21: NC State

Buzz: This rivalry has been brewing over the past five seasons with each exchanging wins over four games. The Wolfpack finished 6-2 in the ACC last year to place third and looks to build on that momentum with transfer quarterback Grayson McCall.

Prediction: Clemson 24, NC State 17

Sept. 28: Stanford

Buzz: Stanford joined the ACC after the Pac-12's collapse. The Cardinals have had a losing record since 2019, including three straight 3-9 seasons, and will face Clemson for the first time since 1986.

Prediction: Clemson 38, Stanford 13

Oct. 5: at Florida State

Buzz: Despite losing a wealth of key players, Florida State is predicted to win the conference for the second straight season. This game is filled with storylines from FSU looking to become the ACC's new powerhouse to Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei facing his former team.

Prediction: Florida State 27, Clemson 24

Oct. 12: at Wake Forest

Buzz: Wake Forest brought in transfer quarterback Hank Bachmeier to play behind a strong offensive line and capable receiving threats. Still, the Demon Deacons are projected to be one of the worst teams in the ACC.

Prediction: Clemson 38, Wake Forest 13

Oct. 19: Virginia

Buzz: The Tony Elliot era has been underwhelming so far with his team recording back-to-back three-win seasons in his first two years.

Prediction: Clemson 31, Virginia 10

Nov. 2: Louisville

Buzz: The Cardinals are coming off their best season since joining the ACC in 2014, winning 10 games to make the ACC Championship game. They brought in quarterback Tyler Shough and other transfers to continue Louisville's run.

Prediction: Clemson 31, Louisville 24

Nov. 9: at Virginia Tech

Buzz: The Hokies could either make the ACC championship game or be a below-average team in the conference. It returns much of its production from 2023 and is hopeful quarterback Kyron Drones shows growth as a passer.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 23, Clemson 17

Nov. 16: Pittsburgh

Buzz: The Panthers won their fewest games under coach Pat Narduzzi last season with three. Pitt is looking to bounce back with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell and growth in quarterback Nate Yarnell but doesn't project as an ACC contender.

Prediction: Clemson 27, Pitt 20

Nov. 23: Citadel

Buzz: The Citadel were winless last season. It looks to turn the chapter under second-year coach Maurice Dayton. It will play the Tigers again in 2028

Prediction: Clemson 49, Citadel 10

Nov. 30: South Carolina

Buzz: The Gamecocks are less talented than years prior, but anything can happen in a rivalry game. South Carolina named quarterback LaNorris Sellers its starter and hopes to be bowl eligible after missing the mark in 2023.

Prediction: Clemson 28, South Carolina 10

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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: Clemson football game-by-game predictions for Dabo Swinney, 2024 season