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- Jacob Rhee

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I recently unveiled the 13 college football teams that have a chance of winning the national title. It’s time we break down each of those squads. Let’s talk about the Clemson Tigers, who come in at No. 3.

Offense

Table time! Here’s 2024 Cade Klubnik, lined up next to 2013 Jameis Winston. Both played in a weak ACC, and faced three top-10 opponents.

As a reminder, Winston won the Heisman in a landslide that season. He lifted the national championship trophy less than a month later, and eventually became the No. 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, Cade finished behind Kurtis Rourke and Kyle McCord in the race for college football’s most prestigious award. He got bounced in Round 1 of the playoff, and was not even named third-team all-conference. Those are starkly different stories, for two guys that essentially had the exact same numbers in their only good year.

I definitely approved of Klubnik’s decision to stay in school, where he has the benefit of a championship-level supporting cast on offense. This is a top-two wide receiver room in the country; Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, and TJ Moore might all be first-round picks someday.

Cade can get a bit jumpy on rather routine throws, and that trio helps keep catastrophic turnovers off his stat line. It’s the 2.0 version of Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, and Amari Rodgers.

Clemson boasts a deep and experienced offensive line, and I think Matt Luke is grossly underappreciated as a position coach. Ohio State’s title run taught us that - especially in the expanded playoff era - you better have more than five bankable dudes up front. These are marathon seasons, and injuries like the ones that Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin endured could tank an unprepared roster’s entire plans. The 2024 Buckeyes had answers on their bench, and so does Dabo Swinney’s crew.

I’d argue that the Tigers’ biggest question mark on this side of the ball is their running back situation. I love Gideon Davidson, but asking a true freshman to be an every-down workhorse is a lot. Jay Haynes is coming off a torn ACL, and has averaged under 3.9 per carry against Power Four squads in his career. Maybe converted wideout Adam Randall has some juice? In any scenario, young Gideon needs a right-hand man to round out a really promising offense.

Defense

No other defensive line in America comes close. Peter Woods and TJ Parker are each Bednarik Award contenders, and the arrival of five-star Amare Adams spells deep trouble for anyone in the Tigers’ path. Though he won’t be featured right away, it’s only a matter of time before the staff throws up their hands and lets him eat with the first unit.

Wade Woodaz takes the field, and all I see is 2020 Pete Werner. Smooth, versatile, and brilliant in coverage. Sammy Brown only made six starts last fall, yet was impressive enough to claim the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year; his ultra-aggressive style makes him the perfect complement. New coordinator Tom Allen must be walking on air watching these two work in fall camp.

This secondary is the only reason why I don’t have Clemson at No. 1 in my rankings, quite frankly. It’s Avieon Terrell, and a bunch of uncertainties. If I was wearing orange, I’d look at this group and grow incredibly frustrated that my coach still refuses to embrace the portal. Three of the last five championship-winning quarterbacks? Transfers. Six of the last eight Heisman recipients? Transfers. Like, what exactly are you waiting for? I understand that the Dabo philosophy seized a pair of rings. But at a certain point, you have to adapt to the modern landscape. Openly neglecting opportunities to add program-altering kids is objectively irresponsible.

Clemson will face Mansoor Delane, Tamarcus Cooley, and AJ Haulcy in Week 1. Three guys that would’ve been awfully valuable chess pieces in Upstate South Carolina. The fan base has every right to punch some pillows if those dudes are the difference 22 days from now.

Season Outlook

Pre-Bowl Record Prediction: 12-1

Selection Sunday Fan Mood: You giggled when Dabo got the Cheez-It bath in 2021. You cackled when we lost four in 2023. We’ll be the ones laughing in January. Write it in Sharpie.

Pressroom

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“A Million Signs” by Vividry. No notes.