Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have a significant chance to reenter the College Football Playoff with the 2024 schedule. The expanded 12-team playoff format provides a big advantage for the Tigers, especially if they win the ACC Championship, which would grant them a first-round bye.
The playoff games will start on December 20-21, with TNT Sports broadcasting two games and ESPN handling the remaining nine. Quarterfinals will be held on December 31 and January 1 at major bowls, with semifinals on January 9-10, and the championship on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Clemson’s path through the ACC is more manageable than the Big Ten and SEC, making another conference championship crucial. The first-round bye is particularly valuable, offering extra rest and fewer games in the pursuit of a national title.
Recently, 247Sports released their preseason predictions for the 2024 College Football Playoff. While the Tigers didn’t make the playoff in their predictions, they were labeled as a ‘team to watch.’
It’s been a few years since two-time national champion Dabo Swinney has led his club to the playoff, but if the ACC is as good as advertised, the Tigers have a shot at the top. The opener against Georgia is a grand opportunity, too.
Clemson’s chances come down to two things. The offense taking the next step, and the defense continuing to do what they do on a yearly basis.
If Cade Klubnik, Garrett Riley, and Clemson’s offense improve, this team could be one of the most dangerous in the country. A lot of pressure will be on this Tigers’ offense in 2024.