Clemson Tigers – Duke Blue Devils LIVE: Will Shipley TD gives Clemson the lead

The Clemson Tigers will kick off their season with an ACC showdown against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Kick-off is set for 8pm ET as Clemson starts Week 1 looking to defend their ACC title in a second consecutive Labor Day game for the Tigers and Dabo Swinney. While Duke is coming off one of their best seasons in the last decade, will want to use this primetime slate as a stage to make a statement to the country. Swinney is undefeated in season openers against teams not named Georgia with a 12-2 Week 1 record.

Clemson Tigers 7 – 6 Duke Blue Devils: College Football Week 1 ACC, live updates from Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC:

The college football universe is buzzing as the new season kicked off this weekend, and on this national holiday all eyes are on the ACC. Clemson and Duke will face off in what is the season and conference opener for both teams. Clemson wants to prove it’s still an offensive powerhouse defending their ACC title, while Duke aims to show it’s no longer the conference’s underdog.

New faces in Clemson

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney made headlines by hiring Garrett Riley as his new offensive coordinator. The last time Swinney went outside his program for such a role was nearly a decade ago. With Riley’s arrival, the big question is whether Clemson can breathe new life into an offense that’s been treading water since the departure of Trevor Lawrence.

The Elko effect at Duke

Over in Durham, Mike Elko has breathed new life into Duke’s program in just a year’s time. Last season, the Blue Devils surprised everyone by finishing 8-4 and even secured a bowl victory. That’s their best record in years, and it’s raised expectations for what’s to come. The next target for Duke is breaking into the national rankings, something they haven’t done in almost a decade.

What’s at stake

Both teams also have streaks at stake as they head into this much-anticipated matchup. Clemson’s Swinney has an impressive track record in season openers but has shown some vulnerability against higher-ranked opponents. On the other hand, Duke has historically struggled in season openers against ranked teams. This game could spell the end of those streaks for either side.

For Clemson, this game is a proving ground for their new offensive coordinator and an opportunity to show that they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. Duke, meanwhile, aims to continue its upward trajectory and shake off its underdog label. A win here would be a big step toward that goal.