Clemson was again ranked pre-season No. 1 by both the AP and the Coaches' polls. In June, 37 players tested positive for COVID during voluntary workouts. Standout defensive end Xavier Thomas announced he would redshirt the season due to the effects of the virus. In the 2021 season, Clemson was stuck in the offense, lost 3 games, and missed the playoff berth first time since 2015. In the Cheez-It Bowl of 2021 season, they beat Iowa State 20-13. In 2022, Clemson defeated Syracuse 27-21, extending the Tigers' home winning streak to 38, a new ACC record. Conference affiliations Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1896–1921) Southern Conference (1921–1953) Atlantic Coast Conference (1953–present) Championships National championships Clemson claims three national championships. In 1981 they finished as the only undefeated team with a 22–15 victory over the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and were named the national champions by all major four consensus selectors (AP, Coaches, FWAA, and NFF). In 2016 and 2018 they won the College Football Playoff, defeating Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game both times. Clemson then lost the next year to the undefeated LSU Tigers in the 2019 CFP National Championship Game 25–42. † Other consensus selectors for 1981 included Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, FACT, FB News, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, Matthews, National Championship Foundation, New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, and Sporting News†† Other consensus selectors for 2016 include A&H, AP, BR, CCR, CFRA, DuS, FWAA/NFF, MCFR, SR, USAT/AMWAY (Coaches), W††† Other consensus selectors for 2018 include A&H, AP, BR, CCR, CFRA, CM, DuS, FWAA/NFF, MCFR, SR, USAT/AMWAY (Coaches), W Conference championships Clemson won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1900 and 1902 (tied 1903 and 1906) along with the Southern Conference title in 1940 and 1948. Their 21 ACC titles (19 outright, 2 tied) are the most ACC football championships. In 1965, South Carolina violated participation rules relating to two ineligible players and was required to forfeit wins against North Carolina State and Clemson. North Carolina State and Clemson were then declared co-champions. † Co-champions Division championships In 2005, the Atlantic Coast Conference divided into two divisions of six teams each and began holding an ACC Championship Game at the conclusion of the regular football season to determine the conference champion. Clemson won its first outright ACC Atlantic Division championship in 2009. In 2012 and 2016, Clemson was co-champion of the Atlantic Division. On August