As the countdown to college football continues, another national outlet released a season preview this week.
CBS Sports took a look ahead to the upcoming campaign, highlighting the top names, games, storylines, and more to watch for the 2024 season.
Clemson (9-4, 4-4 ACC in 2023) got multiple mentions, including one in the bold predictions section, with that “bold” prediction being that “Clemson will reclaim its spot atop the ACC.”
Heading into the 2023 season, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers had won seven conference titles in eight years dating to 2015, before Mike Norvell’s FSU team (13-1, 9-0) ultimately claimed the program’s first conference crown since 2014.
“Maybe a stretch for “bold,” and certainly not spicy since the Tigers are co-favorites to win the ACC along with Florida State, but this prediction comes with additional expectation that Clemson will reassert its dominance against lesser teams in the conference,” CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson wrote.
“While Pitt or Syracuse would weaponize itself every now and then for an upset or upset scare, Clemson largely ran through a good portion of its ACC schedule during its six-year reign as league champion. I think we get back to those kind of wins from Clemson thanks to an improved passing game that should benefit from a healthy wide receiver room and the arrival of instant impact young players like Bryant Wesco Jr.”
CBS Sports also listed tiers of national championship contenders, using the national title odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, and Clemson (40-1) is among the nine Tier 2 contenders (teams listed between 22-1 and 50-1).
After missing the four-team playoff in each of the last three seasons, the Tigers are looking to make the inaugural 12-team playoff this season. Under the 12-team playoff format, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye.
“If you do think Clemson will win the ACC, I don’t hate this pick as a flyer seeing how the ACC champion is likely getting a bye to the quarterfinals of the CFP,” Patterson wrote. “Does Clemson have the roster to win three games against the best team in the country? We’ll know a lot more by the end of the season opener against Georgia.”
That season opener against the Bulldogs in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Aug. 31, 12 p.m., ABC) is ranked as the best nonconference matchup by CBS Sports, which also listed 25 Heisman Trophy contenders, including Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (35-1 odds).
Right in front of Klubnik on the Heisman contenders list is former Tiger and current FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (35-1). Uiagalelei and the Noles are set to square off against the Tigers in Tallahassee on Oct. 5.
