A Tigers Tale: Predicting the Clemson Football Season

The Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney head into the 2024 season looking to return to the top of the mountain in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the College Football Playoffs. Last season was a bit of a down year for the Tigers as they finished a respectable 9-4 but missed out on the ACC crown and playoffs.

This year the team looks to have a trial-by-fire as big-time matchups are scattered throughout the 2024 schedule.

Week 1: Georgia Bulldogs

What better way to test your team than by facing the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs? The all-time series, which dates back to 1897 and has been dominated by the Bulldogs 43-18-4. The last meeting between the two teams saw the Tigers fall 10-3 in 2021. Last season, the Bulldogs averaged nearly 500 yards and 40 points per game on offense and 295 yards and 16 points on defense. The roster will look noticeably different.

The strength of this Clemson football team will be the defense and with standouts like Wade Woodaz, Barrett Carter, and RJ Mickens leading this year's team, the Tigers will be up for the challenge. Both teams will be looking to establish themselves. Both teams have strong defenses, however, the young receivers of Clemson could be the difference-maker in the game.

The Bulldogs escape with a win. In a game that is a battle for the full 60 minutes, the Tigers come up just short.

Record: 0-1

Week 2: Appalachian State

Week 2 for the Tigers brings a perennial giant slayer to town in the Mountaineers of Appalachian State. While Clemson holds the series lead 5-0, Appalachian State has been known to pull off big upsets. This game will mark the first time the teams have played since 2015 when Clemson won 41-10. The team returns the bulk of the team that averaged 446 yards and 33 points on offense while surrendering 391 yards and 28 points on defense.

The Clemson Tigers prove to be too strong for the Mountaineers. Despite efforts to keep the game close, the Tigers pull away in the second half for the win. Running back Phil Mafah helps lead the offense with key big plays to break the game open for the Tigers.

Record: 1-1

Week 3: Bye

Week 4: North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Tigers come off a bye week and begin conference play against the formidable Wolfpack of NC State. This year marks the 92nd matchup between the two programs with Clemson holding the all-time lead in the series 60-30-1. Although the Wolfpack did win the last meeting in 2023, 24-17. Last season, the Wolfpack allowed 324 yards and 20 points per game on defense while their offense averaged 351 yards and 26 points.

The Wolfpack bring a revamped offense to Clemson as the team has a new quarterback in Grayson McCall and a running back in Jordan Waters. The passing attack will still have Kevin Concepcion at receiver who enters his sophomore season as a nightmare for opposing defenders.

Although the game will be closer than some expect, Clemson comes out with the win versus the Wolfpack.

The young trio of receivers led by Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco proves too much for the secondary of the Wolfpack.

Record: 2-1 (1-0 ACC)

Week 4: Bye

Week 5: Stanford Cardinal

In only the second-ever matchup between these two schools, the Clemson Tigers welcome the Stanford Cardinal to the conference, and to "Death Valley." The only other meeting between these teams was in 1986 when Clemson won 27-21 in Jacksonville, Fla. While the Cardinal did average 21 points per game, they allowed just less than 38 points per game.

The Cardinal have solid playmakers on both sides of the ball, notably Elic Ayomanor and Tiger Bachmeier on offense and Gaethan Bernadel on defense. However, the Tigers prove that they are too strong for the Cardinal, despite great efforts from Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels and Ayomanor, the Tigers are simply too strong. The Tigers win comfortably.

Record: 3-1 (2-0 ACC)

Week 6: at Florida State Seminoles

A meeting of the last two champions of the ACC meet for the 37th time in the series. All-time, the Seminoles lead the series 21-15 as they won last season's match 31-24. The Seminoles will have a familiar face to the Tigers fan base, DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback. The one-time Tiger returns to the ACC after a season in the Pac-12 Conference at Oregon State. Head coach Mike Norvell did a great job reloading after some great players departed for the NFL.

For Clemson, after a heartbreaker of a loss last season, the Tigers will be focused on what has become the premiere rivalry in the ACC. The receivers for Swinney will face some of their toughest matchups in the Seminoles secondary in a trial-by-fire type of moment.

In another great edition of this rivalry, the Seminoles keep momentum on their side and get a hard-fought win against the Tigers.

Record: 3-2 (2-1 ACC)

Week 7: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

In the 90th meeting between the Deacons and the Tigers, the 2024 edition sees the Tigers on a 15-game win streak. In the all-time series, the Tigers lead 71-17-1 with the Deacons' last win coming in 2008. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier joined the team to lead a veteran offense that averaged 328 yards and 20 points on offense and surrendered 387 and 27 points per game.

For the Tigers, this will be a reset for the team after suffering two losses in the first five games of the season. The Tigers' defense will be focused in this game to return to their standard and put a stranglehold on the offensive capabilities of the Deacons.

The Tigers prove too strong for the Demon Deacons and win comfortably in the Week 7 matchup. For the Deacons, receiver Taylor Morin, whose play style reminds some of Julian Edelman, will have an interesting matchup with Khalil Barnes. In the end, the Tigers get the much-needed win.

Record: 4-2 (3-1 ACC)

Week 8: Virginia Cavaliers

Another conference foe for the Tigers to clash with. In the 50th matchup between the teams, the Tigers hold a distinct edge, 40-8-1 all-time. The teams last played in 2020 when the Tigers won 41-23. Although the Cavaliers return most of their team that averaged 369 yards and 23 points on offense and surrendered 409 yards and 34 points per game, the team is seeking to find its identity.

With new receiver Chris Tyree, Virginia quarterback Tony Muskett has a very intriguing weapon that could throw a monkey wrench for the Tigers' defense presumably matching up against Barnes or Jeadyn Lukus.

At the end of the day, Clemson is much too strong and wins easily against head coach Tony Elliott and the Cavaliers.

Record: 5-2 (4-1 ACC)

Week 10: Louisville Cardinals

The 2024 season will see the ninth overall matchup between the Tigers and Cardinals. With Clemson winning the previous eight, the last matchup being in 2022 when the Tigers won 31-16. The Cardinals averaged 415 yards and 31 points per game while giving up 307 yards and 20 points per game. This season, head coach Jeff Brohm and his staff revamped the offensive side of the ball due to players departing for the NFL.

For the Tigers, this matchup with the Cardinals will be equally important to both teams as they battle for not only the ACC Championship game but also to build resumes for at-large bids to the playoffs.

The Tigers hold on for a quality win against the Cardinals. The win for Clemson keeps them alive in the eyes of the playoff committee.

Record: 6-2 (5-1 ACC)

Week 11: at Virginia Tech Hokies

As we turn to Week 11, the Tigers travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech. In the all-time series, the Tigers are currently on a six-game win streak and have the overall edge of 23-12-1. The Hokies allowed 322 yards and 24 points per game on defense while averaging 392 yards and 29.5 points per game. Quarterback Kyron Drones will be dangerous as a dual-threat athlete for the Hokies that could pose problems for Tigers' defense.

The Tigers get the win on the road against the Hokies to keep their ACC hopes alive.

Record: 7-2 (6-1 ACC)

Week 12: at Pitt Panthers

The final road trip of the season sees the Tigers travel to the Pitt Panthers for the sixth-ever matchup. In the overall series, Pitt has a slight lead of 3-2 with the last game being a 27-17 win by the Panthers in 2021. This year the Panthers will be resetting as they had a disappointing season a year ago averaging 318 yards and 20 points per game on offense, and giving up 362 yards and 27 points per game.

The matchup between Woodaz and Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew will be interesting to watch. The Tigers stay alive for the conference championship as they overpower the Panthers and win comfortably.

Record: 8-2 (7-1 ACC)

Week 13: The Citadel Bulldogs

In what will be the 40th game between the two schools, Clemson hosts The Citadel. In what has been a lopsided series, the Clemson Tigers led 33-5-1. In a game where Clemson will win comfortably, Swinney will use the opportunity to get some playing time for rotational players.

Record: 9-2 (7-1 ACC)

 Week 14: South Carolina Gamecocks

In the 121st matchup between the neighboring schools, the Tigers host their rival the Gamecocks to close out the season. With the overall series favoring Clemson 73-43-4, all bets are off in rivalry games, especially one that is similar to the Hatfields and the McCoys. Last season, the Tigers won 16-7.

Head coach Shane Beamer and his staff have new weapons on the offense for quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Running back Raheim Sanders transferred to South Carolina after three seasons at Arkansas. The Tigers get the win against their in-state rival in a hard-fought game

Record: 10-2 (7-1 ACC)

Clemson Tigers Overview

Finishing the season 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference with the only losses against a strong Seminoles team and the Georgia Bulldogs will be enough to see the Tigers in the CFP. After the loss to the Seminoles, the Tigers took care of what they needed in the conference, however, they will need help to see themselves back into the conference championship. Will a 10-2 season and making the CFP be a great Tiger's tale for Clemson and coach Swinney? Luckily we have some great football on the horizon this season to find out.