Something that didn’t matter as much in previous seasons is going to matter that much more in 2024.
With the expansion of the ACC, including SMU, Cal, and Stanford, someone will have to travel a long distance to play the other. Travel is going to look different in the near future and likely beyond with conference realignment and ultimately, expansion.
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, at least in 2024, don’t have to worry about travel as much as others. 247Sports recently ranked ACC football teams by distance to be traveled in the 2024 season, with Clemson ranking No. 17, traveling the least in the conference.
Clemson is traveling 2,472 miles, a good bit less than No. 16 Virginia’s 3,151 miles. As you’d expect, the most travel comes from the teams that just entered the conference. Cal travels 20,660 miles, the second most in college football.
Florida State travels a lot in 2024 too, ranking No. 3 with a surprising 13,028 miles.