The Orange were led by first year head coach Scott Shafer and played their home games at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange capped off their season with a win in the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl over long-time rival West Virginia.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett departed for Buffalo as well, leaving a number of coaching positions open.

Series Tied: 5–5 For the second consecutive season, the Orange lost to the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten Conference.

Syracuse Leads Series: 1–0 The Orange hosted Wagner in their home opener at the Carrier Dome in the first ever meeting between the two universities.

Clemson evened the overall series with a 49–14 victory behind a career night by Tajh Boyd who went 20 for 27 for 455 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Series Tied: 1–1 The last meeting between the two schools occurred in the 2011 season, with the Orange winning in a thrilling overtime affair.