The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
College football is changing fast, with big impacts expected this season. The transfer portal is reshaping many top teams, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff is creating more opportunities for programs. While there are some worries about where college football is headed, the excitement for this season is real.
For Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program, the 2024 season is an opportunity to prove that their brand of football still gets the job done. This year, things feel different, too, as the Tigers aren’t only considered to not be the top dog in the ACC anymore, but some see two teams ahead of them now: Florida State and Miami.
Clemson ranked No. 15 for McElory, with Miami ranking No. 12 and Florida State No. 13.
“We’re going to find all that we need to find out about Clemson Week 1. They play Georgia,” McElroy said. “I think sometimes when we evaluate quarterbacks like Cade Klubnik – we anticipate way too much. The guy has only started 13-14 games in his career. And the expectation level is for him to become the second coming of Deshaun Watson – for him to be the second coming of Trevor Lawrence. That is not fair, nor is it reasonable, but I look at Cade Klubnik, and I look at his skillset; I look at what he played like at times last year – do you know who he reminded me of? Auburn’s version of Bo Nix.”
A lot of it comes down to Cade Klubnik and Clemson’s offense. If he and the offense take the next step, with how good Clemson’s defense is, this team can be a contender.
“The skillset is comparable. He’s got some twitch – he can run around, create – he’s got some athleticism, but sometimes you’re kinda left scratching your head. Then Bo Nix went to Oregon and became the player he was always poised to become. 12th overall pick (in the NFL draft), it just took time. And I think Cade Klubnik might have needed some time. Now he has that entering into Year No. 2 with Garrett Riley his offensive coordinator — I feel pretty optimistic about what he’s going to be able to achieve this year.
“I look at last year and it was very inconsistent. I’m hoping this upcoming year there will be more consistency and more predictability at the quarterback spot because (a) No. 80 ranking in QBR in this style of offense is not going to be a long-term solution.”
Clemon’s offense will make or break this team in 2024.