The Clemson Tigers haven’t reached the College Football Playoff in two years, their longest stretch since the tournament was instituted for the 2014-15 season. Don’t believe the Tigers are in a decline, though, as they still rule the ACC. One could make the argument that Clemson was just a field goal away from reaching the playoff last season only to lose the regular season finale by a point to South Carolina. The Tigers blew out North Carolina to claim the ACC title winning at least 10 games for the 12th straight season. There is inexperience at quarterback and Florida State is a threat to their ACC dominance, but the Tigers are still in capable hands for another season of double digit victories.
College Football Season Wins Odds
Regular Season Wins for the Clemson Tigers
Over 10 ( -121 )
Under 10 ( +105 )
All the Tigers have done the last 12 seasons under Dabo Swinney is win football games. In that time frame they boast a 142-24 overall record for an astonishing .855 winning percentage. When there are problems Swinney wastes no time addressing them. Following a 31-14 Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter was fired and replaced by TCU’s Garrett Riley to improve the offense.
Roster
Unlike just about every other college football program, Clemson has refused to get involved with the transfer portal. I’m not sure if it’s Dabo being stubborn or something else, but the Tigers have to compete from within. It’s not like they’ve needed outside help with a strong base and overall solid results. But with the rest of the ACC catching up thanks to free agency, uh, I mean, transfers, the steadfastness of the coaching staff will definitely be tested.
Moving on from DJ Uiagalelei after an inconsistent 2022 where the offense looked mystified at times, the Tigers turn to a new offensive coordinator in Riley and hope that Cade Klubnik can restore the explosiveness to an offense that ranked fifth in the ACC in total yards and fourth in scoring. Not bad numbers, however considering the Tigers are the top cats in the league they should’ve been better. Uiagalelei was burdened with a lot of the blame struggling to follow in the footsteps of 2021 No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence.
Klubnik got his feet wet last year leading the Tigers to a win over UNC in the ACC Championship going 20 of 24 for 279 yards and a TD. He followed that with 320 passing yards in a loss to Tennessee at the Orange Bowl. He made some glaring mistakes that could be attributed to his freshman status and the hope is that he’s better for it. He’s a talented dual threat giving the offense an element it couldn’t find under Uiagalelei. Klubnik also has a veteran offensive line in front of him, Will Shipley, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 15 TDs, behind him, and an improved group of pass catchers.
The loss of four all-conference defenders would cripple most teams. Clemson isn’t most teams, though, and with eight starters returning the group should be one of the best in the ACC. The unit throttled some of the top ACC offenses last season, especially in the conference championship holding UNC to 10 points while forcing three turnovers.
Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter form one of the best linebacker tandems in the ACC if not the entire FBS, and when healthy Xavier Thomas is one of the top pass rushers in the country. If there was one weakness it was pass defense. The Tigers ranked 76th nationally in average passing yards allowed.
Schedule
In terms of home and away games the schedule sets up nicely. The Tigers open on the road against Duke and close the regular season at South Carolina. In between seven of 10 contests are in Death Valley with a two-game trip to Miami and NC State in the middle of the campaign. The big tilt comes in the first month against Florida State, which the Tigers get at home. There are some speed bumps at home against UNC, Notre Dame and FSU, and the mid-season road trip.
Prediction
The Tigers will win their share of games and probably compete in the ACC Championship again. However, the conference is closing the gap and failing to use the transfer rules might leave Clemson a little short on depth. Their starters can compete with any team in the country and as long as the injuries are at a minimum and Klubnik finds his niche the Tigers are fine. Winning 11 games is a stretch, though.
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