USA TODAY Sports recently revealed the 2023 preseason top 25 Coaches Poll college football rankings, with Clemson landing at No.9 as voted by the coaches.
Landing in the top ten is a nice spot for the Tigers, who have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country this season. The addition of Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator and starting quarterback Cade Klubnik taking the next step under center has Clemson poised as a team to surprise many in 2023.
As we approach the season and the first coaches poll released, USA TODAY Sports broke down each team in the top 25. Here is what writers Eddie Timanus, Paul Myerberg, and Erick Smith had to say about the Tigers.
In 2022, Clemson swept the ACC, including the conference title game and ran its streak of double-digit win campaigns to 11. And yet a couple of regular-season setbacks and a lackluster finish against Tennessee in the Orange Bowl left Tiger fans wanting. The explosive passing attack that defined the recent national championship squads was again missing, and now it will be up to Cade Klubnik to rediscover it. Will Shipley will again do a lot from the backfield, but Beaux Collins and Co. need to make more things happen down the field. One thing that hasn’t changed for Clemson is developing dominant defensive linemen. Tackles Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro will anchor this year’s front.
Surprisingly no talk of Garrett Riley. He will be a key piece of Cade Klubnik rediscovering that dangerous Clemson passing attack. Ranking one spot ahead of the Tigers was ACC rival, the Florida State Seminoles, who landed in the No.8 ranking.
FSU was arguably the best team in the ACC at the conclusion of the 2022 season, but an early three-game skid had eliminated the Seminoles from championship contention. That might be less of an issue in 2023 with the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions now a thing of the past, but the ‘Noles will still have to get by Clemson to return to the top of the league. The offense, with well-seasoned Jordan Travis back at the controls, should again be quite formidable. Big target Johnny Wilson is a matchup nightmare for opposing cornerbacks, and top rusher Trey Benson should have another big year with the interior line no longer a weakness. The difference-maker on defense will again be rush end Jared Verse, coming off a nine-sack campaign in his first year in Tallahassee.
The ACC will be incredibly competitive in 2023, and these two programs will be at the top of the food chain. The Week 4 matchup between Clemson and FSU should be the most important game in the conference next season.
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