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Complete list of experts’ bowl projections for Clemson football entering Week 13

A look at the experts’ latest bowl game projections for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.

Entering Week 13 of the 2024 college football season, it can be somewhat hard to project where Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers will spend bowl season in December/January.

On the one hand, Clemson (up to No. 17 in the latest CFP rankings) still has a chance, however slim, to reach the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte on Dec. 7. Doing so would guarantee the Tigers of at least a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

And if the Tigers win the ACC title game and get to 11-2 overall, they’d get a first-round bye and play in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta against the winner of the No. 6 vs. No. 11 seed game.

More realistically? The Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs, the two teams on course to get to Charlotte, probably aren’t losing their final regular season games in conference play.

Cam Ward and the Hurricanes close out the year with a home game against Wake Forest this Saturday before hitting the road to play Syracuse, while Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs have conference games against Virginia and California to close the regular season.

Heading into Week 13, here’s what national college football writers and others in the sport’s media universe are saying about Clemson’s bowl game projections — and which teams they might face.

Clemson Football’s Latest Bowl Projections

Pop-Tarts Bowl (Orlando, Fla., Dec. 28)

USA TODAY Sports analyst Erick Smith sees the Tigers making a trip to Orlando to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The only difference in Smith’s projection from last week is who the Tigers will face. With the BYU Cougars falling 17-13 to the Kansas Jayhawks in Week 12, BYU replaces Iowa State as Smith’s Big 12 representative.

This matchup would be a first, as Clemson and BYU have never met on the football field. The Pop-Tarts Bowl has been known by several names, the longest being the Champs Sports Bowl (2004-11). Some fans will recall its original name — the Blockbuster Bowl (1990-93).

Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 3, 2025)

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm still sees Clemson in a bowl that’s a lot closer to the Upstate: the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium to kick off 2025. Palm has the Tigers facing the Big Ten’s Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota sits at 6-4 and has upset wins over the USC Trojans and Illinois Fighting Illini this season.

The Tigers and Gophers have met once before — in the 1985 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., a 20-13 Minnesota win.

The Sporting News’ Bill Bender agrees with the Duke’s Mayo Bowl projection and has Clemson in that game against Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes. As with Minnesota, Clemson and Iowa have never met in a head-to-head contest.

Holiday Bowl (San Diego, Calif., Dec. 27)

This has been a pretty common bowl game projection for the Tigers since their stunning 33-21 loss to Louisville on Nov. 2.

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura has Clemson in the Holiday Bowl against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and the Buffaloes still have a path to the College Football Playoff (as do the Tigers, no matter how narrow), so this projection could change for both teams in the coming weeks.

247Sports’ Brad Crawford also forecasts a West Coast trip for Cade Klubnik and the Tigers in a Holiday Bowl matchup against Coach Prime and Colorado. The same goes for The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel and Scott Dochterman (subscription required), who see Clemson taking on the Washington Huskies.

Crawford said of the Tigers:

“Clemson’s comeback win at Pitt kept Clemson alive in the ACC race, but this looks like Miami or SMU’s league to win. Arizona State’s upset of Kansas State means the Sun Devils are streaking and have a chance to really toss a wrench in the Big 12 picture the rest of the way.”

Veteran college football reporter Brett McMurphy also sees Clemson in the Holiday Bowl, only against Arizona State.

ReliaQuest Bowl (Tampa, Fla., Dec. 31)

Sports Illustrated’s Patrick Andres sees Clemson in the Sunshine State on New Year’s Eve in the game formerly known as the Outback Bowl. Andres forecasts Clemson to be playing an SEC team in Tampa: Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Interestingly, Clemson and Vanderbilt have met four times previously, but none have been in the past 60-plus years. The two programs last played in 1960, a 22-20 Commodores win in Nashville. Vanderbilt leads the all-time series vs. the Tigers, 3-1.

Clemson has played in this bowl only once before, on New Year’s Day 1991 when it was called the Hall of Fame Bowl. In that game, coach Ken Hatfield’s Tigers blanked Illinois, 30-0, in a nationally televised contest on NBC to finish the season 10-2 overall and No. 9 in the final Coaches Poll.

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Dabo Swinney comments on Clemson football’s depleted offensive line

Swinney on Clemson’s depleted offensive line.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney provided a concerning update on the Tigers’ offensive line as they prepare for Saturday’s matchup with The Citadel.

Heading into practice, nine offensive linemen were unable to participate, adding to the growing list of injuries. Swinney noted the critical loss of left tackle Elyjah Thurmon, who suffered a foot injury in last week’s game against Pitt and is set to undergo surgery. His absence, along with the unavailability of Dietrick Pennington, Collin Sadler, Ian Reed, and Watson Young, has left the offensive line in a tough spot.

“We’ve been pretty lucky up to this point, but we’ve definitely hit a rough patch,” Swinney explained. “When it rains, it pours.” The Tigers are also dealing with injuries to left guard Marcus Tate and Tristan Leigh, although Swinney noted that both are progressing well. Despite the challenges, Swinney remains hopeful, especially with Tate and Leigh trending in the right direction. “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “No excuses. We just have to find a way to make it work.”

Perhaps the most challenging blow has been the loss of Collin Sadler, who Swinney described as a versatile player capable of filling multiple positions along the line. “Sadler can do a lot of things for us, and that hurts,” Swinney acknowledged, emphasizing the difficulty of replacing a player of his caliber.

Despite the adversity, Swinney’s message remains clear: the team must adapt and keep pushing forward. “We’ll make it work. This team has handled adversity all season long, and we’ll find a way to do it again.” With a deep roster, the Tigers will lean on some of their younger players and walk-ons to step up in a crucial moment.

Clemson freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco on proving himself as a Tiger

Wesco is in a comfortable place at Clemson.

Bryant Wesco, a freshman receiver for Clemson football, has embraced the challenges of transitioning to college football.

Under the guidance of coach Tyler Grisham, Wesco is thriving by learning the finer details of the game, which he believes are making a significant impact. “They’re teaching me all the little things that make a big difference,” Wesco shared, reflecting on how the staff has helped him refine both his technical skills and mental approach.

Wesco’s confidence has grown throughout the season as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the collegiate level. He appreciates his coaches’ trust, fueling his determination to improve. Though he’s still finding his rhythm, his positive attitude and commitment to development are clear.

As Clemson gears up for the season’s final stretch, Wesco is focused on contributing in any way he can, knowing every opportunity is a chance to grow. “It’s all about staying focused and trusting the work,” he noted. His progress so far signals a bright future as he continues to adapt and refine his skills under the Tigers’ program.

Wesco is going to be an exciting player to watch over the next few years.

Clemson vs. The Citadel game gets The CW network’s No. 1 broadcast crew

Here’s who will be on the call for The CW Saturday when the Clemson Tigers welcome The Citadel to Death Valley.

Clemson football is making its first television appearance of 2024 on a network that isn’t under the ESPN umbrella of channels this week. That means there will be a new set of announcers for the Tigers’ Week 13 matchup against The Citadel Saturday.

The CW, which began televising ACC football games in 2023, is sending it’s No. 1 broadcast team to Death Valley for the Tigers-Bulldogs matchup. Veteran play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman will call Saturday’s game with analyst Max Browne. Treavor Scales will report from the sidelines.

It’s Clemson’s first time appearing on The CW this year and just the second time overall. Last year, the network televised the Tigers’ 24-17 loss to NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

Radio coverage for Saturday’s Clemson game will be carried on SiriusXM Channel 193, featuring the Clemson Athletic Network crew of Don Munson, Tim Bourret and Reggie Merriweather.

Clemson (8-2, 7-1) stayed at No. 16 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll after wrapping up the ACC portion of its schedule with a 24-20 victory over Pitt last Saturday. The Citadel is 5-6 and coming off a 30-17 win over Wofford in the Southern Conference.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Tigers won their last meeting against The Citadel, 49-0 in 2020. Dabo Swinney is 3-0 against the Bulldogs as Clemson’s coach.

Can Clemson still get to ACC Championship Game?

Yes, though the Tigers’ chances are slim. Clemson trails the No. 12 SMU Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) in the ACC standings. The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) are currently behind Clemson in the standings but only because the ‘Canes have two conference games still to play while Clemson is already finished with conference play.

To reach the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte on Dec. 7, the Tigers will need the Hurricanes to lose against either Wake Forest or Syracuse in their final two regular season games — or for SMU to drop both of its final regular season games against Virginia and California.

Clemson moved up three spots to No. 17 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, unveiled Tuesday night.

The Citadel head coach says you ‘better not say anything bad’ about Dabo Swinney

Don’t speak negatively on Swinney in front of this head coach.

The Citadel head coach Maurice Drayton holds Clemson’s Dabo Swinney in the highest regard, crediting him for a moment of personal kindness that left a lasting impression.

Drayton recalled his time as an assistant at Coastal Carolina when he brought his son Montrel, who was battling heart issues, to visit Clemson. Swinney and his staff welcomed them with open arms, creating a memory Drayton cherishes to this day. Montrel even participated in the Tigers’ post-practice team breakdown, a gesture that meant the world to the Drayton family.

Drayton emphasized how Swinney’s warmth and genuine character stood out, recounting how Swinney still refers to him as “Montrel’s dad.” This deeply personal connection fuels Drayton’s unwavering support for the Clemson coach. “You better not say anything bad about Dabo around me,” Drayton said passionately. It’s clear that for Drayton, Swinney’s leadership transcends football, rooted in compassion and authenticity.

The Citadel coach also highlighted how these values translate into Swinney’s approach to the game. As Clemson gears up to face The Citadel, Drayton doesn’t view Swinney merely as an opposing coach but as a person who embodies the best qualities of mentorship and humanity. These shared experiences reflect how coaching can leave a meaningful impact far beyond the field.

Clemson makes moves in the right direction in the latest College Football Playoff rankings

Clemson makes moves in the the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

Clemson football climbed to No. 17 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, released Tuesday night.

The Tigers, now 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the ACC, have risen steadily since debuting at No. 23 in the initial rankings and moving to No. 20 last week. Their recent 24-20 comeback victory at Pitt helped secure this week’s bump as they continue to strengthen their postseason profile.

Despite slim playoff hopes, Clemson has shown impressive resilience, bouncing back from a November 2 loss to Louisville with consecutive wins. With two regular-season games remaining, they aim to finish strong, hosting

The Citadel this Saturday before a rivalry showdown with No. 18 South Carolina on November 30. A win over the Gamecocks would solidify their ranking and provide a statement heading into bowl season.

In addition to the CFP rankings, Clemson sits at No. 16 in the Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the AP Top 25. While their path to the ACC Championship Game isn’t fully in their hands, the Tigers are doing all they can to remain in contention. For now, the focus is on closing the season on a high note and showing why they belong among the nation’s elite teams.

Clemson wide receiver Troy Stellato out for the remainder of the season

Clemson loses a wide receiver for the rest of the season.

Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense will be down a pass catcher as one Tigers season has ended early.

Head coach Dabo Swinney shared during his weekly press conference on Tuesday that redshirt junior Troy Stellato will miss the rest of the season due to a thumb injury. According to Swinney, Stellato had been playing through the injury for some time.

“He tore his thumb, got to have surgery on it Thursday, so he’s going to be done. Tough break there. He’s been battling for a couple of weeks. He’s been trying but can’t play like he wants to play.”

Stellato, who has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his Clemson career, has been a key contributor this season, recording 25 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown. Despite his setbacks, Swinney praised the receiver’s perseverance. “He’s been battling a lot of injuries but kept getting up, just kept getting up,” Swinney said. “I hate it for him, but it’s just another part of his story.”

Other Tigers will have to step up without the talented wide receiver.

Dabo Swinney on why Clemson is a College Football Playoff team for the 12-team format

Swinney on Clemson as a playoff contender.

Clemson football showed its grit in a hard-fought 24-20 win over Pitt on Saturday, overcoming a mountain of injuries to stay in the fight for a strong finish to the season.

The Tigers, ranked No. 20, came into the game missing five offensive linemen and lost another, Elyjah Thurmon, on the first play. They were also without linebacker Wade Woodaz and lost Sammy Brown to a targeting ejection in the first half. Despite everything, they rallied to pull off the comeback.

“We’re 8-2 with just one loss in the ACC,” head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game. “We’ve had to overcome so much—four starting offensive linemen out, no Wade, no Sammy—and still, guys are stepping up all over the place.” Swinney pointed to the team’s unbeaten road record this year, something Clemson has only accomplished ten times in its long history.

Swinney is confident that his team is built for the spotlight and has the talent to compete if they get a shot at the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. “Winning is hard,” he said. “We’ve beaten every team that beat us last year except Duke, who we didn’t play. Cade [Klubnik] is right there statistically with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. Our young skills are improving weekly, and the defense is playing its best football.”

Still, Clemson’s path to the playoffs is narrow. They need to win out, claim the ACC title, and hope for some chaos elsewhere. “We’re in the fight, and that’s all you can ask for,” Swinney said. “We need some help, but we just have to handle our business and finish 10-2.”

Next up, the Tigers host The Citadel, looking to secure their 14th straight season with at least nine wins—a feat only Alabama has matched. But for this team, that’s not the ultimate goal. “This team believes,” Swinney said. “They’ve proven they can compete on the big stage. If they want a shot, they’ll need to finish strong.”

Dabo Swinney on the expectation for Clemson’s depleted offensive line

Swinney on Clemson’s offensive line.

Clemson football’s offensive line depth took another hit during Saturday’s 24-20 victory over Pitt as freshman Elyjah Thurmon suffered what head coach Dabo Swinney described as a likely season-ending injury on the very first play. Thurmon had stepped into the starting lineup due to Tristan Leigh’s absence, as Leigh is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in last week’s win over Virginia Tech. Marcus Tate also missed both games, leaving the Tigers scrambling for solutions.

The season-ending losses of Collin Sadler, Dietrick Pennington, and Ian Reed have further strained the team’s situation, leaving Clemson’s offensive line alarmingly thin. When asked Sunday about managing the position group, Swinney acknowledged the challenge. “Yeah, we got a feel,” he said. “It’s crazy.”

Clemson faces The Citadel at home this Saturday, and Swinney hinted that the matchup might provide an opportunity to rest players. “We’ve got a whole week to figure it out,” he said. Swinney expressed cautious optimism about Leigh and Tate’s recovery, saying, “I do feel good about where Tristan and Marcus are, as far as the progress that they’re making. Hopefully, they’ll keep trending in a good direction.”

The Tigers will need to piece together a patchwork offensive line for at least another week, with the hope that Leigh and Tate might soon return to action. Meanwhile, the team continues to adapt in the face of mounting challenges.

Clemson football will wear its iconic purple uniforms vs. The Citadel

Take a look at this year’s purple uniform combination that Clemson will wear for Saturday’s game against The Citadel.

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers are set to wear their classic purple jerseys for this week’s game against The Citadel, the team announced on its social media platforms on Monday.

Clemson will wear purple jerseys over purple pants for Saturday’s game. Kickoff for Clemson vs. The Citadel is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in Death Valley. The game will be televised on The CW.

Clemson celebrates Military Appreciation Day every year by wearing its purple uniforms in reverence to the Purple Heart award. The Tigers wore their purple uniforms in last year’s 42-21 victory over Georgia Tech on Nov. 11.

In previous years, Clemson wore the purple jerseys against Louisville in 2022, against UConn in 2021, and against Pitt in 2020.

Clemson is ranked No. 16 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll following their 24-20 victory over Pitt on Saturday.

.@ClemsonFB‘s iconic uniform combination is set to return to Memorial Stadium this weekend! 🐅🏈 pic.twitter.com/u63hdxP6xt

— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) November 18, 2024

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