Defending why Clemson will make the ACC title game in 2024

Clemson won six straight ACC Championship Games from 2015-20, but has managed just one conference title in the last three years. The Tigers even won national titles in 2016 and 2018 and come in tied with the best odds along with Florida State to win the league crown.

Cade Klubnik leads the Tigers into the 2024 season after registering one year under his belt as starter. He threw for 2,844 yards an 19 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

More than that, Clemson returns two players who were named to the preseason All-ACC first team in linebacker Barrett Carter and safety R.J. Mickens. That combined with the consistency of coach Dabo Swinney is why Ty Hildenbrant of The Solid Verbal believes the Tigers have the best shot at a conference title.

“I’m into Miami winning the ACC title game,” he said. “I can certainly see a world in which Florida State again wins the ACC, though I’m not betting on that. The lie to me is Clemson not playing that title game. I am pretty high on them. I’ve got them in the ACC title game against Miami this year. I get that there is the narrative that Dabo is not adapting. He’s losing the portal. To be clear, that is definitely a long term problem that he should see somebody about or talk to somebody about.

“But I do think the receiver room will be better this season. I’m extremely excited about a guy like TJ Moore, the freshman wideout. He was compared to Tee Higgins in his high school recruitment. To be clear, they need another Tee Higgins to win some 50-50 balls and hopefully unlock that passing attack. I think this is gonna be a better offense.”

Moore, a five-star prospect out of Florida, could be the player Klubnik needs to reach the next level of passer. Clemson certainly needs some star power after no receiver in 2023 totaled over 550 yards.

That said, Hildenbrandt still has concerns about Clemson entering the 2024 college football season.

“I’m a little bit concerned that there’s relative immaturity along that defensive line, but I think they’ll be fine,” he said. “I’m a little bit concerned that Cade Klubnik is gonna show the same level of inconsistency we saw a year ago. But all things being equal, I’m still pretty high on this team. I like where they’re at and they’re gonna be playing in that ACC title game, probably against Miami.”

The Tigers are set to open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against No. 1 Georgia.