2023 Clemson Tigers Football Predictions and Betting Odds
2022 Record: 11-3 overall, 8-0 in ACC
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney, 16th year: 161-39
Clemson is still great, everyone. The program did not make the College Football Playoff over the last two seasons, and suddenly, it is doom and gloom, and the game has passed Dabo Swinney by. Not to mention that everyone thinks Florida State is about to take over the ACC. Clemson was one decent fourth quarter drive away from going to the CFP.
Clemson was hardly awful -- 410 yards and 33 points per game, great on third downs, solid at running the ball -- but there were too many turnovers, not enough big passing plays, and the whole thing was too inconsistent.
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Tigers Offensive Outlook for 2023
They do not have DJ Uiagalelei around anymore. He was better than he got credit for considering the receivers had an okay season, but he was not Trevor, Deshaun, or Tajh, and he was not Cade Klubnik. Now Uiagalelei is an Oregon State Beaver, and all the pressure is on Klubnik to play up to his superstar recruit status. He was amazing in the ACC Championship -- 20-of-24 for 279 yards -- but even with the 320 yards in the Orange Bowl against Tennessee, he struggled a bit. The talent is undeniable, the next level passing skills are there, he can run, and now the gig is all his.
There is a ton of potential star power in the receiving corps. That starts with getting the deep shots on the outside from Adam Randall -- who should be amazing now that he is healthy. Beaux Collins must show off that NFL upside even more after averaging 17 yards per catch on his 22 grabs, and leading receiver Antonio Williams must build on a solid 56-catch season with 604 yards. The pieces are there, and that includes 25-catch TE Jake Briningstool to work as more than just a safety valve for Klubnik.
Will Shipley is a great all-around back -- 1,182 yards and 15 scores, 38 catches -- and 230-pound Phil Mafah added 515 yards and four scores. Between these two and Klubnik, the ground game will be strong behind a line that was decent at keeping defenses out of the backfield and good enough for the ground game.
The interior, with guards Marcus Tate and Walker Parks, along with C Will Putnam, will be among the best in the ACC, and now it is up to the young sophomore tackles Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh to take over as steady mainstays.
Tigers Defensive Outlook for 2023
The secondary needed to do a bit more against the better passers considering the pieces in place, and, yeah, the run defense was a bit concerning in the loss to Notre Dame and fight against Florida State. However, the pass rush was among the best in the country. Overall, the run defense was great, and talent-wise, this group is loaded and deep.
What is the difference between the SEC and everyone else? No one has the 300-pound guys inside who can move like that conference gets. Clemson is obviously not in the SEC, but it is one of the reasons it has been able to compete at the highest of levels in the Dabo Swinney era -- the tackles are always phenomenal. The combination of Ruke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis is right there with the best in the country.
The talent is there in the secondary, but now the big plays must come. Nate Wiggins is a future NFL starting corner with 12 broken up passes last season with an end-to-end pick six in the ACC title game against North Carolina, but that was his only interception. Sheridan Jones has been around forever and has NFL tools, but he has just two picks and four broken up passes in four years. They are both great, but again, they need to come up with more game-changing plays.
Clemson Tigers Season Prediction, Win Total, Best Bets
Here is the problem when it comes to figuring out just how good Clemson will be. The starting 22 can hang with anyone. Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State … anyone. There is a ton of talent down the depth chart, but most of it is unproven and young, while everyone else hit the transfer portal. There are some trap games in the schedule. At Miami, at NC State, and at South Carolina are all dangerous, and the home dates against Florida State, Notre Dame, and North Carolina will be shootouts. No matter what, Clemson is good enough to get to nine wins. The schedule is challenging, but it is not horrible for team this talented. There is a loss coming somewhere, but can it avoid that second defeat? They will get to the ACC Championship, but it will likely do it at 10-2. Hardly anything to be upset about, but there is enough in place to expect more.
2023 CFN Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2022 Record: 11-3
Aug 26 OPEN DATE
Sept 4 at Duke W
Sept 9 Charleston Southern W
Sept 16 Florida Atlantic W
Sept 23 Florida State L
Sept 30 at Syracuse W
Oct 7 Wake Forest W
Oct 14 OPEN DATE
Oct 21 at Miami L
Oct 28 at NC State W
Nov 4 Notre Dame W
Nov 11 Georgia Tech W
Nov 18 North Carolina W
Nov 25 at South Carolina W
Best Bets
Over 10 wins -105
To make the playoffs +320
To win the ACC Championship Game +145
Clemson to win the National Championship +1800
Cade Klubnik to win the Heisman +1400
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