About last week

We've already diminished the stock that's placed on transitive properties from season to season, and from game to game.

Something that might be a good bit more important: What did your opponent do the previous week?

A big deal is being made of the fact that Florida State, seven days before a huge game at Clemson, plays host to Oklahoma in an even bigger game. It is most definitely a big deal, and you'd better believe the Seminoles' coaching staff has been concerned about it from the moment the 2011 schedule was released.

What about Clemson's other opponents and their week-before challenges?

Here's a look, starting with the third game:

Auburn: Mississippi State
Thoughts: Last year Auburn had to go to Starkville nine days before playing host to Clemson, and I thought at the time that it set up well for the Tigers with a lake. Auburn's players came back home a bit full of themselves and probably didn't respect an intruder from the ACC. It showed as Clemson bolted to that big first-half lead before Auburn recovered and won in overtime. I think this year's setup also bodes well for Clemson, because the Sept. 10 game against a good Bulldogs team figures to be an emotional struggle. Clemson, meanwhile, gets Wofford the week before.

at Virginia Tech: at Marshall
Thoughts: The Hokies' trip to Huntington could be interesting, but Marshall was bad last year and probably won't be demonstrably better by this point in the season. Virginia Tech's early-season schedule is conducive to a lot of momentum, and the Hokies will be pointing to the Clemson date as their first big game of the season. Not a good set-up for the Tigers, who will be coming off the games against Auburn and Florida State.

Boston College: Wake Forest
Thoughts: You never know about the Deacons; maybe they rebound in a big way this year. But it looks like a good week-before tune-up for Boston College. The past six years have shown Clemson should never take the Eagles lightly (four losses to them), and the timing of this matchup makes it a dangerous game for Clemson.

at Maryland: at Georgia Tech
Thoughts: Haven't looked up the numbers, but I'm pretty sure teams usually have a tough time the week after they face the the Yellow Jackets' triple-option and all the stuff that comes with it. One example: Last year, when Clemson trounced Georgia Tech at home and looked dead at Boston College a week later. I like this set-up for Clemson.

North Carolina: Miami
Thoughts: The Hurricanes' program is in shambles, but they're still plenty talented. The game in Chapel Hill should be a pretty grinding affair. That's good for Clemson.

at Georgia Tech: at Miami
Thoughts: Another good break for Clemson, though you could argue the break will be offset by Clemson getting a tough game against North Carolina the week before.

Wake Forest: Notre Dame
Thoughts: First of all, Clemson can't be happy with the ACC issuing its open date the week after Georgia Tech and before one of the easiest opponents on the schedule. A cynic might think this is yet another example of the brass in Greensboro sticking it to the Tigers (can't completely disagree in this case). But Wake getting a big game (and the term "big" is always used loosely when it refers to Switzerland) against Notre Dame is a plus for Clemson.

at N.C. State: at Boston College
Thoughts: The Wolfpack's early-season schedule is ridiculously friendly and conducive to a good start. But this one breaks well for Clemson, because Boston College will be physical and trips to Chestnut Hill usually aren't easy.

at South Carolina: The Citadel
Thoughts: The Gamecocks might've hit on something by placing a non-conference foe the week before Clemson. Last year's result might've been different had South Carolina visited Clemson a week after its emotional victory in Gainesville. Instead, the Gamecocks got to beat up on Middle Tennessee and get their minds right for the trip to Death Valley. This is a good, sensible formula for South Carolina -- and not a good set-up for the Tigers. Maybe Clemson should try to arrange something similar in the future for its game before SC.

LW