While it wasn’t the 2023 season that fans or the team hoped for, the Clemson Tigers were a solid team this season and definitely one of the Top 25 best in the country.
The Tigers ended the season 9-4, but the 4-4 in the ACC is where things were shocking for the program. Clemson has been fantastic in conference during the Dabo Swinney era, but this year, the Tigers fell behind. There were some close ones, but overall, 4-4 in-conference won’t cut it.
Thankfully, Swinney and the Tigers ended their season on a high note with a wild 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky. It was one of the best bowl games of the season, and I doubt many would argue that.
With the win, Clemson climbed nine spots in the final USA TODAY Sports 1-133 re-rank. The Tigers end the season as the re-rank No.18 team in the country. There are still a few teams I’d rank the Tigers ahead of here, but it’s a solid ranking.
Clemson should be more competitive in 2024 with the talent they return, as long as the Tigers can develop that talent further.