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Early Potholes for Clemson Among Biggest 4 Games in 2024
Clemson made headlines for what the program didn’t do since the end of the 2023 season. The Tigers were the only team from the Power-5 conferences not to add a transfer to its roster. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for them.
It wasn’t too long ago that Clemson was among the top title contenders on an annual basis. However, a quick look at the college football odds shows that Clemson isn’t even favored to win the ACC title.
Clemson began the 2023 season by losing to Duke despite being an 11½-point favorite. Clemson was 4-4 after eight games, and after winning seven of the previous eight ACC titles, the Tigers finished four games behind Florida State in the 2023 ACC standings.
The last three losses were by either seven or eight points so perhaps Clemson can make a run in the ACC and be in the running for one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff field. Clemson jumps right into things with a matchup against national title favorite Georgia in the Aug. 31 season opener.
The College football futures odds have the Tigers tied at 11th at +3000 in the odds of winning the national title.
Here’s a look at some of the more challenging matchups for Clemson heading into the 2024 season.
2024 kickoff times and game time windows have been announced 🤘@TexasLonghorns x @SEC pic.twitter.com/1Xn0MWlsfG
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) June 11, 2024
Top 4 Games for Clemson in 2024
1. Familiar Face Is At QB In ACC’s Game of the Year
Once again, the ACC schedule-makers put the two teams with the shortest odds to win the conference title in the first half of the season. That is questionable scheduling to say the least as a late-season game between Clemson and Florida State would attract more attention than one on Oct. 5.
The sportsbook odds list Florida State as a four-point favorite against the visiting Tigers as the Seminoles are favored in consecutive games against Clemson for the first time in a decade.
Clemson had won seven games in a row versus Florida State and covered in five straight before losing 31-24 as a rare underdog at home.
This year’s matchup has a different wrinkle to it. New Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagelelei began his college career at Clemson before transferring after he lost his starting job to Cade Klubnik. After a season at Oregon State, he returns to the ACC to play against Clemson for the first time.
2. Quite the Opening Act vs Powerhouse Georgia
If Clemson plans on making a statement that it could be a factor in the national championship race, there is no better way than going down to Atlanta and taking care of business against the team expected to begin the season sitting atop the national polls.
A loss to Alabama in the SEC title game kept Georgia from pursuing a third consecutive national title. While some key players opted out of the bowl game, the Bulldogs took out their frustrations on ACC champion Florida State with a 63-3 win in the Orange Bowl.
Clemson is listed by the college football spread as a 13½-point underdog against Georgia on Aug. 31 in a game being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Georgia lost some key players to the NFL but quarterback Carson Beck is tied for the shortest Heisman Trophy odds.
One of the Clemson players to keep an eye on is defensive tackle Peter Woods.
Peter Woods is the next Clemson SUPERSTAR⭐️ pic.twitter.com/U980VQJHc7
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 21, 2024
3. Tigers Look To Ground Louisville Again
There isn’t much history between Louisville and Clemson, but with the Cardinals having the fourth-shortest odds of winning the ACC title, this is a game to keep an eye on.
Clemson is 8-0 versus the Cardinals since Louisville joined the ACC.
The first three matchups between the teams as conference rivals were decided by six points or less with Louisville covering in the 2014 and 2015 games. It has been a different story in recent matchups with an average margin victory of 28.6.
Clemson’s 77-16 win in 2018 does make that number look worse than it really is.
While Clemson resisted the urge to dip into the transfer portal, no ACC team brought in more transfers than Louisville. However, Louisville lost almost as many transfers as the Cardinals signed.
4. Can NC State Tame the Tigers Again?
Clemson not only has a daunting task against Georgia in the season opener, but the conference opener probably won’t be a walk in the park either.
Clemson won 15 of 16 games against North Carolina State at one point. However, the Wolfpack won two of the previous three matchups.
On the bright side, the Tigers haven’t lost at home to North Carolina State since 2002.
North Carolina State added receiver Noah Rogers from Ohio State, running back Hollywood Smothers from Oklahoma and quarterback Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina while the highest-rated incoming transfer is former UConn tight end Justin Joly. NC State looks to improve after finishing 10th in the ACC in total offense a season ago.
Questions of the Day
What are the odds for the Clemson Tigers to win college football’s national championship?
Clemson is priced at +300 in the odds of winning the national title. The Tigers offer good value at +160 to be a part of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Which Clemson players have the best odds of winning the Heisman Trophy?
Quarterback Cade Klubnik comes in at +3000 in the odds of winning the Heisman Trophy. Running back Phil Mafah is well back in the Heisman race but he could become a factor with a strong showing against Georgia.
