2024 college football predictions, odds: Clemson to win national championship
In Week 1, Georgia blew out Clemson in Atlanta, 34-3.The college football world quickly overreacted, declaring the Tigers a lost cause in 2024.
The narrative: Dabo Swinney couldn’t build a competitive roster without engaging in the transfer portal, something he refused to do. Since that game, Clemson has won five straight by a combined score of 243-96. I wrote before the season that I believed Clemson was overlooked and undervalued.While Swinney wouldn’t use NIL to upgrade the depth chart, he still was an elite recruiter, consistently assembling among the nation’s most talented rosters — Clemson ranks 10th nationally in Blue-Chip ratio (64%). It looks as if the pieces are finally starting to fall into place. Cade Klubnik and the offense have started to click in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.
The former five-star quarterback has thrown for more than 1,400 yards with 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions during the winning streak. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Antonio Williams is quickly becoming a dangerous threat, pulling in five touchdowns over the past five games. The offensive line ranks 16th nationally in Line Yards, consistently blocking for power back Phil Mafah.The senior tailback has amassed more than 600 yards at nearly seven per carry.
Clemson has among the nation’s most explosive rushing attacks, as Mafah ranks fifth among qualified FBS running backs in breakaway yards (325). Riley has built a balanced, dangerous, explosive offense reminiscent of his unit with Max Duggan at TCU.The Tigers have scored more than 40 points in four of the past five games. The front seven haven’t played up to their talent level yet.
The Tigers have struggled to stop the run, and while T.J.Parker has played his part as a pass rusher (17 pressures, nine hurries, four sacks), I need to see more production from counterpart Peter Woods. Still, the secondary has found some consistency behind stud cornerback Avieon Terrell, who has al...