What ESPN experts expect from Clemson in 2022 season

CLEMSON — There was an abbreviated college football slate this past weekend, which allowed ESPN’s College GameDay crew to spend more time talking about the 2022 season as a whole.

It’s no surprise that Clemson’s place in the college football world was a hot topic after the Tigers went 10-3 last season, failing to make the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2015.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, David Pollack, Desmond Howard and Lee Corso each spoke about the Tigers on Saturday.

Most expect Clemson to bounce back this season, but there are differing opinions on just how good they will be.

Herbstreit, Pollack and Corso each have Clemson winning the ACC, while Howard has Pittsburgh winning the conference.

Only Pollack has the Tigers reaching the College Football Playoff.

“I think they bounce back, but if we go back to last year, they won 10 games. They lost to Georgia – the national champion. They lost to Pitt — the ACC champion. They lost to NC State. All of them were great football games, but the offense didn’t pull their weight,” Pollack said of Clemson.

“Who’s back? The best defensive line in the country. They’re going to make everybody’s life really hard on the defensive side of the football. It all revolves around DJ. The defense will dominate… but the offense is going to be the tell.”

Here’s what the rest of the GameDay crew had to say about Clemson:

College GameDay talks Clemson

Pete Thamel on Clemson: “There’s been a lot of optimism about DJ Uiagalelei and his offseason at Clemson. I talked to Dabo Swinney [Friday] night. It’s well chronicled that DJ lost 30 pounds. One thing I’d expect is to have DJ run the ball more this year with that new sleeker build.

Dabo told me running the quarterback is part of what Clemson does. DJ built some momentum at the end of the year, and I really think the most important thing for his success is what’s around him. Dabo told me the talent at Clemson on offense, now that everybody’s healthy and grown up a bit, is in a different hemisphere than last year.

They expect better blocking. They expect more consistent receiver play, and all of that is going to lift DJ’s game.”

Kirk Herbstreit on Clemson: “I think [new coordinators] is a legitimate concern until you see it. I think Dabo’s beyond confident in what they can do on both sides of the ball. And they have history. Remember when Chad Morris was there and he left to become a head coach, Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott emerged together to become co-offensive coordinators.

It’s one thing for DJ Uiagalelei to lose the weight. For me, it’s a willingness to run the ball. Because whether it’s Trevor Lawrence or Deshaun Watson, especially Tajh Boyd in that offense… the quarterback has to be a run threat. Last year I saw a hesitant quarterback instead of being decisive and getting the ball out and throwing or running and taking off.

So it’s great that he lost weight. But where’s his mind, and is he ready to be more aggressive running the ball, which will open up those throwing lanes to those talented receivers.”

Desmond Howard on Clemson: “When you look at what they lost, not just players, but the coordinators, that causes concern for me. I mean these are two special play callers. They lost Tony Elliott. He was the offensive coordinator. It takes skill, intuition. It takes a lot to be a play caller. It doesn’t show up every week. It shows up against opponents you’re equally matched with. Now he’s at UVA.

I understand that they hired from within. But I think people don’t give the right amount of attention to guys who are long-time play callers, who are successful at it, who are great at it. You just don’t step into those shoes and fill in like there’s nothing to it. There’s a rhythm to it. So that’s what I want to see.”