College Football 2024 – Syndication Server

USA TODAY Sports columnist makes ACC order of finish projections

Here’s where Clemson was projected to finish in the ACC standings by USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg.

Like every August, there’s no shortage of analysts making conference predictions for the upcoming college football season.

Heading into 2024, the consensus for months has been that Florida State and Clemson have (seemingly) the best shot at winning the ACC. Beyond that, Miami, NC State and Virginia Tech have been listed as dark horse contenders for the league crown and an automatic berth/first-round bye in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

One national sports columnist, USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg, made his predictions for every FBS conference Thursday. Myerberg is giving Clemson the benefit of the doubt over Florida State and sees the Tigers finishing 10-2 in the regular season and 7-1 in ACC play, one game better than FSU and NC State (both 9-3 overall, 6-2 ACC).

Per Myerberg:

“Clemson’s projected improvement on offense barely nudges the Tigers ahead of the Seminoles. But don’t sleep on North Carolina State, angling for the second 10-win season in program history, and fast-rising Virginia Tech. Miami and North Carolina have the talent to surge past our eight-win projections, though the Hurricanes could just as easily disappoint, as we’ve seen. The league adds in new members SMU, California and Stanford.

The Tigers head to Tallahassee on Oct. 5 to play Florida State, one year after the Seminoles snapped a seven-game Clemson winning streak in the series. NC State comes to Death Valley on Sept. 21 having won two of the last three meetings against the Tigers, including last year’s 24-17 victory in Raleigh. Clemson visits Virginia Tech on Nov. 9.

Georgia, Ohio State and Utah were the other projected Power Four top finishers in Myerberg’s predictions. Memphis was the projected top Group of Five conference champion.

Clemson opens the season against Georgia Aug. 31 at noon ET (ABC) from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 and US LBM Coaches poll; the Tigers are ranked No. 14.

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Clemson vs. Florida State is one of 2024’s most anticipated rematches

Where Clemson vs. Florida State ranks on this list of the most anticipated 2024 college football rematches.

There’s nothing in college football quite like a rematch.

Not when it involves two rivals the caliber of Clemson vs. Florida State. The Tigers and ‘Noles played to a 24-24 tie through four quarters last season in Clemson before FSU won in overtime on a perfect 24-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Travis to Keon Coleman.

Florida State’s defense held Clemson on the Tigers’ only possession in overtime to snap a seven-game losing streak in the rivalry en route to a perfect 12-0 regular season and the ACC championship. Clemson finished with four losses for the first time since 2011.

Heading into 2024, Clemson returns several keys starters on both sides of the ball while Florida State had to retool its roster after losing a lot of talent through the NFL Draft.

Sports Illustrated’s James Parks ranked Clemson vs. FSU at No. 7 in his list of college football’s biggest rematches in 2024.

Per SI:

“Florida State took this game at Death Valley in its undefeated ACC title chase a year ago, and though it hosts Clemson this time, it’ll be with a new-look roster full of top-flight transfers. This year’s game will play a big role in a more open ACC championship picture, and while the Seminoles debut several new contributors, Clemson returns its quarterback [Cade Klubnik] and key defensive prospects on the line and especially linebacker Barrett Carter.”

Clemson will visit Tallahassee on October 5 in the Tigers’ fifth game of the season, one week after hosting new ACC member Stanford on September 28 in Death Valley.

USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith ranked Clemson at No. 10 in their post-spring Top 25 rankings. Florida State checked in at No. 15, one spot behind No. 14 NC State.

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Clemson is second most ‘overrated’ college football team in this 2024 outlook

This college football writer doesn’t think too highly of Clemson football’s chances in 2024.

With 101 days until Week 1 of the college football season, not everyone is buying into the hype of a bounce-back season for Clemson football.

The Tigers ranked in the top 10 in USA TODAY Sports‘ way-too-early rankings for the 2024 season. CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson also sees Clemson returning as ACC champions after Florida State went 13-0 to win the conference a season ago.

But Clemson also has plenty of skeptics after a 9-4 season, even one that ended with five straight victories. Saturday Blitz’s Connor Muldowney is one of them.

In his list of the five “most overrated college football teams ahead of 2024 season,” Clemson checks in at No. 2. Only ACC rival Miami is ahead of the Tigers on that list.

Specifically, Muldowney (like many others) takes exception to Swinney’s views on the transfer portal, which the coach made headlines for again last week in an appearance on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio.

Writes Muldowney:

“Clemson has had a pedestrian past few seasons under Dabo Swinney which is tough for fans because there was a dynasty being built pre-COVID-19. Swinney looked like he was getting ready to overtake Nick Saban as the top coach in the sport. But something changed and Swinney has failed to adjust to the times, even saying that he doesn’t use the portal because most transfers aren’t good enough to play for Clemson.

Delusional.”

While admitting that Clemson has the talent on its roster to compete for the ACC crown, Muldowney says he doesn’t see the Tigers returning to championship standards as a bonafide College Football Playoff threat.

Adds Muldowney:

“Clemson has the talent on the roster to contend for an ACC title but it just feels like the program is falling too far behind in the national race to even compete for a playoff spot. Hey, if Swinney actually utilized the portal, his team may have avoided this list, but they’re looking at another 9-10-win season, at best, in my opinion.

Is that good enough for the 10-20 range? Maybe, but I still think they need to earn that ranking.”

Clemson opens its season August 31 against Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for noon EDT. The game will be televised nationally by ABC.

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions.

It’s Game Day: Orange vs. White Rosters for 2024 Clemson Tigers Spring Game

Clemson Tigers Football: Here’s a look at all the players who will appear at 2024 Orange vs. White spring game Saturday at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Game day for Clemson’s 2024 spring game is officially here.

The Tigers’ annual Orange vs. White game will begin at 1 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.

In what will be the 16th spring game under coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers will have no shortage of intrigue and interest surrounding the players who will take the field at Memorial Stadium.

Cade Klubnik returns for his second season as starter, and the Tigers feature one of the nation’s best linebackers in Barrett Carter.

There’s also incoming freshmen that fans will get their first looks at, including five-star recruits like wide receiver Bryant Wesco and linebacker Sammy Brown.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will serve as head coach of the orange team in Saturday’s scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will serve as head coach of the white team.

Swinney had a special message for fans in his final meeting with the media ahead of Saturday’s game.

“Man, I really hope they’ll show up and we’ll have a great crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s free, it is a very meaningful opportunity for us as a program, and our fans always show up. For a lot of these midyears (players), this is a big moment because the next time they actually play, the scoreboard’s going to be lit up.

“So this is a great opportunity to try to hopefully create that game feeling for some of these guys. And then we’ve got some guys that are getting a lot more opportunity as your team changes every year and you start over.”

With that, here’s a look at the rosters for Saturday’s spring game.

Orange Team

Coaches: Garrett Riley (head coach), Tyler Grisham, Mickey Conn, Chris Rumph, Matt Luke

Quarterbacks: Cade Klubnik, Trent Pearman, Colby Shaw

Running backs: Phil Mafah, Jarvis Green, Peyton Streko, Tristen Rigby, Kevin McNeal

Wide receivers: Bryant Wesco, Antonio Williams, Charlie Johnson, Adam Randall, Jackson Crosby, Joseph Flesch, Clay Swinney, Blackmon Huckabee, Jr.

Tight ends: Jake Briningstool, Olsen Patt-Henry, Banks Pope

Offensive linemen: Tristan Leigh, Marcus Tate, Will Boggs, Harris Sewell, Ryan Linthicum, Bryce Smith, Collin Sadler, Blake Miller, Nathan Brooks, Watson Miller, Sam Judy

Defensive ends: A.J. Hoffler, Zaire Patterson, Jahiem Lawson, Armon Mason

Defensive tackles: Payton Page, Jaheim Scott, Stephiylan Green, Champ Thompson, Peyton Pitts

Linebackers: Barrett Carter, Dee Crayton, Reed Morrissey, Jamal Anderson, Fletcher Cothran, Philippe Kabasele

Cornerbacks: Corian Gipson, Shelton Lewis, Myles Oliver, Branden Strozie

Safeties: Kylon Griffin, Bubba McAtee, Tyler Venables, Joe Wilkinson, Caleb Nix, Peter Nearn, Walt Smith, Sherrod Covil Jr.

Special teams: Robert Gunn III (K), Quinn Castner (K), Jack Smith (P), Holden Caspersen (LS)

White Team

Coaches: Wed Goodwin (head coach), Mike Reed, Kyle Richardson, C.J. Spiller, Nick Eason

Quarterbacks: Christopher Vizzina, Trent Pearman

Running backs: Keith Adams Jr., David Eziomume, Wise Segars Jr.

Wide receivers: Misun Kelley, Hampton Earle, Ronan Hanafin, Tristan Martinez, Zach Jackson, Jack Purkerson, Chase Byrd, Clay Swinney

Tight ends: Josh Sapp, Marcus Dixon

Offensive linemen: Ian Reed, Mason Johnstone, Elyjah Thurmon, Dietrick Pennington, Harris Sewell, Jake Norris, Trent Howard, Zack Owens, Jackson Hall, Chapman Pendergrass, Mason Wade, Dominic Cordone

Defensive ends: T.J. Parker, Cade Denhoff, Levi Mathews, Adam Kissayi

Defensive tackles: Caden Story, Tre Williams, DeMonte Capehart, Patrick Swygert

Linebackers: Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, Chandler McMaster, Kobe McCloud, Griffin Batt

Cornerbacks: Austin Randall, Tavoy Feagin, Avieon Terrell, Michael Mankaka

Safeties: Khalil Barnes, R.J. Mickens, Jacob Hendricks, Kylen Webb, Noah Dixon, Boston Miller, Robert Billings

Special teams: Nolan Hauser (PK), Hogan Morton (PK), Aidan Swanson (P), Will McCune (P) Philip Florenzo (LS)

ESPN low on Clemson in their 2024 way-too-early college football Top 25 rankings

Clemson should be better than this ESPN ranking in 2024.

As the 2023 college football season has ended, media outlets have been looking toward the 2024 season and releasing their way-too-early top 25 rankings as they look ahead to what’s to come.

Clemson has been well-represented in these rankings, with the Tigers being ranked on every early ranking we’ve seen so far. Some, however, are a bit lower on the Tigers than others. ESPN is one of those lower, with their way-too-early top 25 rankings having the Tigers ranked as the No. 19 team heading into the 2024 season. Here is what writer Mark Schlabach had to say about the Tigers.

The current state of Clemson football can be perceived as both a glass half-full and half-empty. The Tigers won nine games in 2023 for the 13th season in a row, and they’ll probably finish in the top 25 of the final AP poll for the 13th consecutive season as well. That being said, they were 4-4 at the end of October and out of the CFP race for the third straight season. If the Tigers are going to return to the sport’s upper echelon in 2024, quarterback Cade Klubnik must continue to improve, and coach Dabo Swinney needs to find some weapons. Shipley entered the NFL draft, and Collins, the team’s second-leading receiver, transferred to Notre Dame. Hiring former Ole Miss coach Matt Luke to coach the offensive line should help an inconsistent unit. The Tigers lost a handful of players to the transfer portal but haven’t added any yet.

Clemson returns a lot of talent for the 2024 season and is shaping up to be better next season than they were this season. Currently, the Tigers are between 10th-best and 13th-best odds to win the National Championship next season.

Don’t get me wrong, the Tigers haven’t been elite like they once were of late… but No.19 is simply too, especially considering some of the teams we see ranked ahead of them here. Clemson has a great chance to make this ranking look foolish in 2024.