The No. 14 Clemson Tigers head into the 2024 season with the most difficult Week 1 matchup in the country against Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia, but a team that is looking to and ready to prove themselves on the national stage.
With the season fast approaching, ESPN released its 2024 power rankings. Clemson ranked behind its ranking heading into the season, landing at No. 15 in the power rankings.
Once a top-five mainstay, Clemson has not made the College Football Playoff in three years and won nine games in 2023 — the first time in 12 years the Tigers failed to reach double-digit wins. But coach Dabo Swinney remains unconcerned, firmly believing in the direction the program is headed. Swinney has defended his decisions and his offense, starting with Cade Klubnik, who enters a crucial second season as the starter with Garrett Riley calling the plays. Clemson is banking on a better offensive line and young receivers to step up and show improvement. Meanwhile, the defense is expected to return to form after a bit of a dip a year ago, with Barrett Carter leading the way, along with super sophomores Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. We will know much more about Clemson after the first five games of the season — the Tigers open against Georgia, then have NC State and Florida State in two of their first three league games. Clemson lost to both last year. — Adelson
Clemson ended the 2023 season on a hot run, which bodes well for the team heading into 2024. Seeing at the Tigers return most of their offensive production and the defense projects to be among the elite once again.
The ACC will be more competitive; that feels near a guarantee. While I don’t believe Florida Stage is as good as they’re being made out to be, that doesn’t mean I don’t think they’ll be good. That’s a brutal road matchup for the Tigers.
NC State travels to Clemson with a quarterback who could completely elevate his team’s offense. Clemson’s schedule is not easy.
That said, if the offense improves and takes the next step, the Tigers themselves have one of the highest ceilings in college football.