Clemson Tigers 2024 Season Preview: Biggest games, key players to watch and prediction
The Clemson Tigers failed to make the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season in 2023, following a postseason record six straight appearances between 2015 and 2020. They finished with a 9-4 record, landing in 22nd place in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
While that would be considered a strong season for most programs, that is not the case for the Tigers – who are constantly chasing titles. Clemson's six postseason appearances and four national title game appearances rank second only to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Their two titles are tied with the Georgia Bulldogs for the second-most titles in the last 10 years, once again trailing only Alabama.
With the postseason field expanding from four to 12 teams in 2024, there will be more margin for error. Here's a closer look at the Clemson Tigers' 2024 season.
Clemson Tigers' 2024 season preview
#1. Biggest Games
The Tigers will begin their season with a big matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs on Aug. 31. The game will be played at a neutral site – the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta – and will feature two teams with postseason aspirations.
Another key game to watch will be their Oct. 12 visit to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles. The game could have major conference championship and postseason implications.
#2. Key players to watch
Arguably the most important player to watch on the Clemson Tigers roster will be quarterback Cade Klubnik. The five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class has thrown for 3,541 yards for 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his collegiate career so far. He also completed 63.4% of his passes while adding 321 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 167 carries.
Linebacker Barrett Carter was viewed as a fringe first-round prospect in the 2024 NFL draft. The five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class opted to return for his senior season to work his way even further up draft boards. He has recorded 151 total tackles with 21.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 14 passes defended and one defensive touchdown.
Linebacker Sammy Brown and wide receiver TJ Moore headline Clemson's 2024 recruiting class. Both five-star prospects will be worth monitoring throughout the season.
#3. Prediction
Look for the Clemson Tigers to bounce back from a down season in which they failed to win 10 games for the first time since 2010, Dabo Swinney's second full season as coach. Expect the Tigers to win the ACC Championship en route to their seventh appearance in the College Football Playoff.