Seven Must-Dos for Clemson Football as They Seek a Return to the College Football Playoff
It has been remarkably easy for many national pundits to write Clemson football off as a has-been.
Following the Tigers’ 44-16 rout of Alabama in their most recent national championship game appearance in January 2020, the Tigers have in the eyes of many analysts experienced a slow but steady decline. Be it the product of bad luck, injuries, ineffective play-calling, or lackluster defense, there are myriad reasons those on the outside of the program point to as the reason why Clemson is two seasons removed from their last College Football Play-off Appearance.
Make no mistake, the 2023 season is one in which Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney and his players need to prove an emphatic point; that Clemson football is not going anywhere. Swinney made the bold offseason move to relieve former offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter of his duties in hopes of modernizing the Clemson offense, Wes Goodwin is entering his second season at the helm of the Tigers’ defense, and with a plethora of returning and incoming talent, Clemson feels as if they have the makings of a team capable of competing for a national championship.
If the Tigers are to return to the playoffs and make their championship aspirations a reality, there are seven factors in play that must be successfully utilized for Clemson to return to the top of the mountain in January.
The Riley Factor…
When Coach Swinney made the move to dismiss Streeter in the immediate aftermath of the Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee, speculation immediately began that he would attempt to lure offensive coordinator Garrett Riley away from TCU. That conjecture was confirmed days later when Riley was announced as the new offensive coordinator for the Tigers. Riley brings his up-tempo, air raid offense east from Texas, and with his modern approach to the passing game and stated willingness to open the middle of the field for Clemson’s receivers and tight ends, a more open, fast-paced, and less dogmatic offensive approach is critical to unlocking the potential of the Tigers’ talent. Riley inherits more talent than meets the eye at the wide receiver position as well as the dynamic Will Shipley and his bruising backfield mate Phil Mafah. Jake Briningstool and Sage Ennis are major weapons at tight end, and Antonio Williams, Cole Turner, and Adam Randall return for what they hope are breakout sophomore seasons. If Riley can get the ball in the hands of his playmakers and on the same page as quarterback Cade Klubnik, look for Clemson’s offense to once again be among the nation’s best which greatly increases the odds of another playoff run for the Tigers.
Get Will Shipley the Ball…
Another key factor to Clemson’s success offensively will be the production of junior running back Will Shipley. While Shipley did rush for over 1,000 yards during the 2022 season, he was conspicuously absent for large portions of multiple games either through a lack of touches or because he was on the bench as Streeter rotated multiple players into the running back position. For Clemson to be successful in 2023, Shipley needs the ball in his hands. One point of emphasis for Garrett Riley during the offseason has been to create ways to feed the Tigers’ dynamic playmaker. Shipley is effective at running between the tackles, to the outside, and is prolific in catching passes out of the backfield as well. If Riley can put the ball in Shipley’s hands more often and turn him loose in space, the Clemson offense becomes even more lethal.
Get the Wide Receivers Healthy…
It is no secret that Clemson has struggled at the wide receiver position the past two seasons. A lack of production, exacerbated by poor quarterback play, and most importantly injuries have all played a part. The Tigers have suffered more injuries and attrition at receiver than in any other position group since 2021 and for the team to be successful this season, there must be a level of health and consistency out wide. Multiple starting and contributing receivers missed the spring game, including Adam Randall. With that in mind, however, if Randall, Williams, Turner, and company can stay on the field this year and get in a rhythm with Klubnik, teams will have some bad Saturdays on their hands trying to figure out a way to cover the Tigers’ receiving corps.
Keep the Defense off the Field…
There is a direct correlation between offensive and defensive struggles. Clemson’s defense looked as good as ever at times under first-year coordinator Wes Goodwin last season. At other times, particularly on the back end, it looked lost. It can be argued that the lapses in defense were a direct product of that unit being thrust back onto the field following yet another three-and-out by the offense. The fact remains that the Tigers’ defense is loaded. With a front line anchored by Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro, Xavier Thomas, and freshman phenom Peter Woods, along with arguably the nation’s best linebacking core led by Barrett Carter, Jeremiah Trotter, and Wade Woodaz, Clemson boasts a front seven as scary as anyone in college football. On the back end, the secondary is experienced with Andrew Mukuba, Sheridan Jones and Nate Wiggins being the most experienced returning players. The bottom line is to keep the defense fresh and rested. If the offense can sustain drives and put points on the board, the success on that side should carry over into the other.
Early Impacts…
Clemson football has seen a great many true freshmen make immediate impacts over the past decade. This season should be no exception, and if Clemson is going to make a return to the play-offs, their chances could be greatly bolstered by several true freshmen who can make an immediate impact. First among that freshman contingent is defensive tackle Peter Woods. Woods has turned heads from the day he walked onto the Clemson campus, and throughout the spring coaches and teammates raved about his speed and physicality. Woods is no ordinary freshman, and the top-5 national recruit could pay immediate dividends for Goodwin’s defense. Woods, along with fellow defensive linemen Vic Burley and Stephiylan Green and big, physical wide receiver Noble Johnson, could all make early impacts for the Tigers and become mainstays down the stretch.
Defend The Valley…
Clemson has several notable games on its 2023 schedule, including its season opener on Labor Day Monday on the road against the vastly improved Duke Blue Devils. However, the Tigers’ two biggest marquee games take place at home in Death Valley against Florida State and Notre Dame. The contest against the Seminoles comes early, on Sep. 23, while the Notre Dame tilt is a late-season match-up on Nov. 4. Both have the potential to be top-10 and perhaps even top-five match-ups. These are must-win games for Clemson if they have any hope of making the field of four. If the Tigers can defend the Valley, they should feel confident against everyone else on the schedule and for a return trip to the CFP.
Silence the Noise…
Finally, for all the above to come to fruition and for the Clemson Tigers to make another run at a national championship, the players and coaches must shut out the noise from outside the program. Harkening back to the pundits writing the Tigers off, Clemson can silence that trend among the national media by doing what it knows it is capable of. Clemson has not gone anywhere, the program is not slipping into mediocrity, and if the Tigers can capitalize on all the above factors, come December, everyone who has doubted Clemson football will regret having done so.
