ACC football's Top 7 non-conference games in 2023, including two with Clemson and FSU-LSU

The ACC’s 2023 non-conference football schedule is loaded with games against prominent opponents, including 25 games against Power Five teams and 10 games against teams that were ranked in the final 2022 USA TODAY Coaches Poll.

Fans won’t have to wait long to derive some viewing pleasure from some intriguing matchups as Florida State and LSU – a pair of Top 10 preseason teams – face off on Sunday night.

Here are the Top 7 non-conference games featuring ACC teams in 2023, presented chronologically:

Sept. 2: North Carolina vs. South Carolina

This season-opening showdown looms large in setting the course for both teams’ level of success in 2023. It’s Carolina vs. Carolina in a border war that will be contested in Charlotte for the fourth time in nine years. South Carolina has won three of those games, including a 38-21 decision two years ago.

Sept. 3: Florida State vs. LSU

The Seminoles prevailed last season 24-23, which helped propel them to their first 10-win season since 2016. Another similar outcome could be in the offing when No. 5 LSU and No. 8 Florida State battle in Orlando, Florida.

Sept. 9: NC State vs. Notre Dame

Unranked but dangerous, NC State could make a huge statement by knocking off the Fighting Irish in Raleigh, North Carolina, where Carter-Finley Stadium creates a raucous environment and advantage that has helped the Wolfpack win 17 of its past 18 home games.

Nov. 4: Clemson vs. Notre Dame

This clash will be the sixth game between Clemson and Notre Dame since 2015, but marks the Fighting Irish’s first game at Clemson since that season, when the Tigers won 24-22 on a last-minute goal-line stand. The teams have split the four meetings since, with Notre Dame claiming a 35-14 victory last season in South Bend.

Nov. 16: Wake Forest at Notre Dame

Although Notre Dame is likely to be a heavy favorite, it’s the “game within the game” that makes this clash in South Bend worth a watch – namely, former record-breaking Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman is now at Notre Dame as a graduate transfer. Can Wake coach Dave Clawson dial up a defense to beat his former star?

Nov. 25: Clemson at South Carolina

South Carolina and up-and-coming coach Shane Beamer strolled into Death Valley and sneaked out with a 31-30 upset last season, ending a seven-game losing streak against Clemson and knocking the Tigers out of College Football Playoff contention. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 8-6 vs. the Gamecocks, including a 4-3 record in Columbia, and this regular-season finale will go a long way toward determining both teams' postseason fate.

POWERS THAT BE: ACC power rankings: Pollsters wrong about Clemson-Florida State order — for now

Nov. 25: Florida State at Florida

Florida State won a wild one, 45-38, against its archrival last season in Tallahassee, and this year’s showdown – this time in Gainesville – could be just as entertaining. Both teams have plenty of offensive firepower, so buckle up for what could be a wild ride.

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ACC football top 2023 non-conference games: FSU-LSU, Clemson-Notre Dame