Where Clemson Ranks Among National Analyst’s Toughest Places to Play in CFB

During a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show , the lead FOX Sports college football analyst gave his list of the toughest environments in college football.

Klatt ranked Clemson and Death Valley as the fifth-toughest place to play.

“They had a stretch where they went 62-1 at home from 2013 to 2022. That’s ridiculous,” Klatt said. “So yes, it’s a combination of their team has been really good, but that’s also a place that’s just ridiculously tough to play. Great environment there.”

Clemson’s lone loss in the aforementioned span came against Pittsburgh by a score of 43-42 on Nov. 12, 2016, before the Tigers won their final five games of the season en route to their first national championship since 1981 and a 14-1 overall record for the 2016 season.

Ahead of Clemson, Klatt ranked Oregon at No. 4, Alabama at No. 3, Penn State at No. 2 and LSU as the toughest place to play in all of college football.

LSU is slated to visit Clemson and Memorial Stadium to open the 2025 season, before Clemson travels to LSU and Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Clemson’s 2024 schedule will once again feature a full seven-game home slate in Death Valley, beginning with the home opener against Appalachian State on Sept. 7.

You can hear Klatt’s commentary on his toughest environments in college football below:

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