USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
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 allowed only 14 receptions on 30 targets, adding three pass breakups and two interceptions. Clemson ranks top 30 nationally in EPA per dropback and pass success rate allowed.
Betting on College Football?
- Check out the best College Football betting sites
- Read our expert’s guide on how to bet on College Football
- Get the latest College Football National Championship winner odds
Of greater importance, Clemson is 4-0 in the ACC with a sizeable lead over 2-0 Miami, 2-0 Pitt and 2-0 SMU. The Tigers are the betting favorites to win the conference, and the rest of their schedule is a cakewalk.
Four of their final six games are at home. They still get a bye week after hosting Virginia this Saturday. They don’t have to play Miami or SMU.
Their toughest test likely comes on the road against an uber-overvalued Pitt team next month. The Panthers are good, but their 6-0 record is inflated by three wild, one-score wins over Cal, West Virginia and Cincinnati.
We project the Tigers as favorites of at least four points in every remaining game. There’s a high chance that they will win out, likely securing an ACC Championship game bid.
With a win in the ACC Championship game, the Tigers will earn a top-four seed and a bye in the College Football Playoff. Yet, you can still get them at 20/1 to win the championship, the seventh-shortest odds on the BetMGM board.
Swinney’s team is building two-way cohesion and consistency, and there’s still time for this relatively young but uber-talented squad to grow, peaking in January en route to Swinney’s third title.
Recommendation: Clemson To Win CFP (20/1, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Tanner McGrath has been a professional sports handicapper since 2018. Specializing in college sports and baseball, he’s a diehard fan of the Vermont Catamounts, the Miami Marlins and any home underdog. He found himself on the wrong side of the Miami Miracle in 2018, but made up for it four years later by hitting a 40/1 long shot on Sandy Alcantara to win the NL Cy Young.