Clemson’s 2024 football season ended with a bitter 38-24 loss to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff (CFP), a result that left the Tigers and their supporters grappling with a mixture of pride, frustration, and unfulfilled potential. While the defeat marked the end of a promising yet imperfect season, it also underscored a narrative of resilience and progress within the Clemson program, one that still has lofty goals despite its limitations.
In the lead-up to the playoff, Clemson had a mixed record against top-tier competition. The Tigers had just one win over a ranked opponent at the time of the game and had struggled against the best teams on their schedule. They finished the regular season with a 10-3 record, including a 1-4 mark against the five best teams they faced. Notably, Clemson was 0-3 against SEC teams, a conference widely regarded as the strongest in college football. This record suggested that while the Tigers were competitive, they hadn’t quite reached the level of the country’s elite programs. Nevertheless, their trip to the CFP, bolstered by an ACC championship, was a dream season for many teams outside the powerhouses, and a significant achievement for a program that had recently experienced a shift in its expectations.
On paper, the Texas Longhorns (12-2), with their impressive roster, were clearly the better team in this matchup. According to 247Sports, Texas boasted the fourth most talented roster in the nation, and they showed why on the field. The Longhorns’ defense, regarded as the top unit in the country, proved a tough challenge for Clemson. Yet, the Tigers showed their resilience, making a game of it by mounting a late comeback. Trailing by 21 points, Clemson rallied to close the gap to just a single touchdown with 11 minutes left in the game, much to the delight of their fans and the dismay of the raucous 101,150 Texas supporters.
Despite the odds, Clemson refused to go down without a fight. Quarterback Cade Klubnik and freshman receiver T.J. Moore turned heads with their dynamic playmaking ability, slicing through Texas’ defense with precision passing and big plays. At one point in the fourth quarter, Clemson was within a yard of cutting the Longhorns’ lead to just one possession. In the final minutes, as the game clock dwindled, Clemson was still within striking distance. A fourth-and-6 play with just over a minute left offered one last chance for a potential comeback. Klubnik’s pass, however, fell incomplete, sealing Texas’ victory and sending the Longhorns to the next round of the playoff.
Though Clemson’s fight in the final stages of the game was admirable, it highlighted some of the areas where they fell short. The Tigers struggled to stop Texas’ running attack, allowing a season-high 292 rushing yards. This defensive weakness was a critical factor in the game, as the Longhorns’ ability to control the clock and sustain drives limited Clemson’s opportunities to score. Additionally, Clemson failed to capitalize in key moments, most notably on back-to-back plays from the 1-yard line, where they were stuffed without gaining a yard while trailing by two touchdowns. These missed opportunities were a reminder that while Clemson had made strides this season, they were not quite where they needed to be to compete with the nation’s best in all facets of the game.
Despite the loss, Clemson’s 2024 campaign can still be considered a success, albeit with caveats. The Tigers’ 10-win season was another solid achievement, and their ACC championship win was a testament to the strength of their program. This was Clemson’s first return to the CFP since 2020, marking the end of a three-year drought that followed their last national championship appearance. The Tigers’ sustained success over the years, including 14 consecutive postseason berths, speaks to the resilience and consistency of their program. It’s a record that very few programs in the country can match.
One of the bright spots for Clemson this season was the emergence of quarterback Cade Klubnik. As a junior, Klubnik made significant strides, finishing the year with 43 total touchdowns and establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. His growth was crucial for Clemson’s offense, and he will undoubtedly be a key player for the Tigers in the years to come. Additionally, freshman talents like receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and Moore added a new dimension to the team’s offense, stretching the field and providing Klubnik with reliable playmakers. On the defensive side, players like linebacker Sammy Brown and linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker showed promise, making big plays and solidifying their roles as future leaders for the team.
Looking ahead to 2025, Clemson has a strong foundation to build on. The Tigers will be favored to win the ACC again, and their continued development at key positions gives them a legitimate shot at returning to the CFP and possibly making a deeper run. However, there are still questions that need to be answered if they are to reach the ultimate goal of a national championship. Their inability to stop Texas’ rushing attack and struggles in critical moments against elite competition are areas that will require improvement.
While Clemson’s season was a step in the right direction, it also served as a reminder of the high expectations that come with being a top-tier program. At Clemson, where national championships are the standard, a 10-win season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff can sometimes feel like a consolation prize. The Tigers have two national championship trophies displayed proudly in their facilities, reminders of their recent glory and their goal of returning to that level. For Clemson, merely making the CFP is no longer enough—anything short of a championship is considered a disappointment.
This season may have fallen short of the ultimate goal, but it demonstrated that Clemson is far from a program in decline. The Tigers are still one of the top teams in the country, and with continued development and improvement, they could soon return to the heights they once reached under head coach Dabo Swinney. However, for Clemson, the journey to reclaiming their place atop college football will require overcoming the obstacles that stood in their way this season: a lack of consistency in key moments and a need for more balance on both sides of the ball. The 2024 season was a step forward, but it’s clear that Clemson still has work to do if they hope to recapture the national title.
