Ultimate College Football Preview, 130 Teams In A 130 Days: Clemson

Welcome to the Ultimate College Football Preview for 2023. Every team in FBS Football will be covered in this daily blog release. All of your favorite teams from the ACC, AAC, Big 12, Big 10, C-USA, MAC, Mountain West, PAC 12, SEC, Sun Belt & even every Independent. Think of these daily college football previews as a cheat sheet going into next year.

2022 Recap:

Last year, even finishing with 11 wins and only 3 losses, the Tigers underachieved. Going into the 2022 season, expectations were through the roof for Clemson. They went undefeated in conference play and won the ACC Championship, but that’s a given in Clemson, South Carolina. There was QB controversy and what looked like a lack of effort in some games. The loss to Notre Dame can be forgiven, but losing to in state South Carolina, at home, is unacceptable. Then to end the year, they were run off the field by Tennessee. For most teams 11 wins is a great year; but not for the Tigers.

Head Coach:

Dabo Sweeney is one of the best coaches in college football. He might have taken a little credibility hit after last year. Dabo did not have his Offensive Coordinator, Tony Elliot, who was on staff for 10 years. He left to become the UVA head coach. Also Dabo did not have 10-year Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables who left for Oklahoma. The Tigers were not totally clicking on each side of the ball and those two leaving played a factor in that. I am sure a year without them and working with new staff Dabo will right ship. He made a smart decision by accepting transfers this year, as he was steadfast against the transfer portal at first.

Key Players:

When you are talking 2023 college football previews, a top name in the country is Cade Klubnik. Hailed as a savior by some Tigers fans last year, they were begging for him to take D.J. Uiagalelei out of games last year. He went 1-1 as the starter last season, winning the ACC Championship game but losing the Orange Bowl. There is no doubt the Clemson offense all comes down to his play & decision making. He will have veteran Will Shipley in the backfield as a great security blanket. Randall and Collins are big play makers on the outside if the ball can get to them. The defense is always good and they have a ton of upper class veterans starting. It will take that leadership and some young talent to replace Murphy, Bresee and Simpson. All were leaders and big contributors on the defensive side of the ball.

2023 Prediction:

I openly just laughed at Clemson’s schedule this year. It is unbelievably easy. The hardest game of the year is at South Carolina followed by home vs. Notre Dame. I don’t see them losing a conference game, because the ACC is kind of laughable. The two “tough” ACC games are both home vs. FSU & UNC. If they don’t go undefeated or 1 loss next year it will look like a bad year again for Clemson. In all honesty, they have a very good chance to cruise to the playoff.