ESPN identifies best, worst case scenarios for Clemson in 2023

There is plenty of optimism at Clemson heading into the 2023 season, despite back-to-back years of the Tigers missing out on the College Football Playoff.

ESPN recently broke down reasons why Clemson should be optimistic and outlined the best case scenario for Dabo Swinney‘s squad. It also identified reasons the Tigers should be concerned and took a look at the worst case scenario for the upcoming season.

It’s no surprise that ESPN mentions the potential for the offense to be much improved as a reason for optimism. The Tigers brought in the Broyles Award winner in Garrett Riley to get things back on track in 2023 after back-to-back years of an inconsistent offense.

The biggest emphasis for Clemson this offseason was to improve its passing game. That can be done with play calling and installing a new system, for sure. But the Tigers also need quarterback Cade Klubnik to make quicker decisions, play with more confidence and for his receivers to make more plays when they have opportunities.

If the passing game is improved, then look out. As ESPN notes, Clemson has tons of talent on defense, led by a deep defensive line and two of the best linebackers in the country in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter.

“If Garrett Riley can get Cade Klubnik and company to produce the type of offensive numbers we are used to seeing out of Clemson, this will be a playoff team,” ESPN writes.

As for areas of concern, ESPN points to Clemson’s schedule in 2023. The Tigers host three preseason top 25 teams in Florida State, Notre Dame and North Carolina and also must go to NC State and to South Carolina. The Wolfpack beat Clemson the last time the two teams met in Raleigh, while South Carolina won in Death Valley last year. With that said, ESPN believes that the floor for the Tigers is winning nine games.

In that scenario, the offense wouldn’t gel as well as Clemson fans are hoping it will, receiver play would continue to be inconsistent and the Wes Goodwin-led Tigers defense wouldn’t take the step forward that most are expecting it to.

If Clemson does end up only winning nine games, it would end a streak of 12 straight seasons of at least 10 wins.

The Tigers have not won fewer than 10 games since going 6-7 in 2010. Even with Swinney’s team taking a step back recently, “down years” for Clemson have resulted in 21 combined wins and an ACC title. Perhaps now Clemson is ready to get back to the College Football Playoff for the seventh time under Swinney. ESPN certainly believes it’s a possibility.