CHARLOTTE: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney always draws a lot of attention at ACC Kickoff, and his appearance at the podium, Thursday, was no exception. The Tigers failed to finish above .500 in conference play (4-4) for the first time since 2010 and failed to appear in the ACC Championship Game for the second time in three years, providing evidence that Clemson (9-4) is no longer among the nation’s elite.
But there is also reason for optimism heading into 2024. Quarterback Cade Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley both return this season, a rarity in the transfer portal era. The Tigers will also see the return of a healthy Antonio Williams. The athletic wideout has been drawing rave reviews from both Swinney and Klubnik this offseason. The defense is not a question mark as Wes Goodwin’s unit is loaded with talent and depth, a hallmark of Clemson’s championship teams of years past.
Swinney and the Tigers will get the opportunity to signal a return to prominence when they face perennial power Georgia in Atlanta to open the season on Aug. 31st.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney
2024 Schedule
Aug. 31 Georgia …………………………. noon, ABC
Sept. 7 Appalachian State …………………………. 8 p.m., ACCNX
Sept. 14 OPEN
Sept. 21 NC State *
Sept. 28 Stanford *
Oct. 5 at Florida State *
Oct. 12 at Wake Forest *
Oct. 19 Virginia *
Oct. 26 OPEN
Nov. 2 Louisville *
Nov. 9 at Virginia Tech *
Nov. 16 at Pittsburgh *
Nov. 23 The Citadel
Nov. 30 South Carolina