After returning to the College Football Playoff last year, Clemson is projected by ESPN to take another step forward, opening at No. 1 in the network’s preseason ACC power rankings. Analysts see Dabo Swinney’s squad as the league’s top national title threat and the only ACC team currently slotted in the “should be in” playoff category.

Any numbers of factors will shape the results of a college football team's season, but the schedule undeniably is a big one.