The buildup is nearly over. The hype has almost reached its max. The fans have gotten in their smack talk. The players have had enough of beating up on each other. The coaches have pushed their teams to the limit.
The 2013 Clemson Tigers have high expectations to meet. For Clemson, it's a championship or bust. Opportunities present themselves with a schedule that is challenging yet manageable. There is no game the Tigers can't win this season but there are road blocks to get to those wins. Will the Tigers make it through unscaved? Will they prove that the hype is true? Will they rise to the occasion? Or will they be the same old Clemson we've witnessed for most of the past 20 years and disappoint?
Offense
The Clemson offense appears to be set to be even better than the record setting team in 2012. Tajh Boyd will be called upon to put the team on his shoulders. Boyd will look to prove himself in the more hyped games. To solidify himself as one of the Tiger greats he will need to beat South Carolina.
The receiver corps is once again one of the best in the country. Sammy Watkins should return to the greatness he displayed in his freshman year. Martavis Bryant has had the tools to be a superb talent and is now ready to break out. If No.2 and No.1 aren't enough to plan for opposing defenses, they'll still have to watch out for Charone Peake, Adam Humphries, Germone Hopper, Mike Williams, and TJGreen. All five of which are more than capable of putting up big numbers. Jordan Leggett will be a threat at TE as well as Sam Cooper, when healthy.
The offensive line will be tough and well prepared with 4 returning starters. The Oline proved their worth last season and will look to dominate this season.
Defense
The Clemson defense was very respectable at times last season and look to be more consistent this year. The front seven will once again be solid against the run. They will be 
tested right away. The Tigers linebackers, led by Spencer Shuey, Quandon Christianson, and Stephone Anthony, will be the strength of the D. The depth at linebacker is very strong behind them. The defensive line only has to replace Malliciah Goodman. Corey Crawford will look to improve as a rush end and Vic Beasley will have to prove himself as a run stopper. In the middle, the Tigers have a stout rotation led by Grady Jarrett and Josh Watson.
The secondary was hampered by injuries last season and never was able to be consistent. Can someone step up and be a shut down corner? Brashad Breeland, Gary Peters, Demarcus Robinson, Martin Jenkins, and MacKensie Alexander(when healthy) will all have opportunities to prove they can be that guy. If none of them step it up, the defense will easily get torched in several games this season. Safeties Travis Blanks and Robert Smith have proven to be the leaders of the secondary this offseason. Blanks is poised for stardom.
Special Teams
Special teams has been very solid under Sweeney. Chandler Catanzaro has established himself as one of the best clutch kickers in the country. If a game is close at the end, Catman is money. Bradley Pinion will be the starting punter. He can punt it deep but can he consistently get it off quickly?
The return game for the Tigers should be improved. Last season Clemson made it a point to avoid mistakes and didn't have any big plays. This year Swinney will look to his playmakers to change the field in the return game. With Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, Adam Humphries, Germone Hopper, and Charone Peake, the Tigers should make a few highlights on special teams.
Schedule
Georgia-A major challenge to start the year. In a game that should be a shootout, the Tigers can make their claim as a high caliber program.
SC State-A FCS opponent should give Dabo and his staff the opportunity to evaluate their young talent.
NC State-A Thursday night road game to kick off conference play is always tough. NC State clobbered Clemson the last time they met up in Raleigh.
Wake Forest-The Demon Deacons have always seemed to pose matchup problems for Clemson yet the Tigers will be going for their 4th straight win in the series.
Syracuse-It will be the first ACC conference game for the Orange. Going into a different environment will be a challenge.
Boston College-BC has been down the past few years. 3rd year starting QB Chase Rettig is poised for a big year.
Florida State-This matchup will likely determine the ACC Atlantic. The Noles haven't won in Death Valley since 2001.
Maryland-Byrd Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Tigers and CJ Brown will be back from injury. He was amazing against Clemson the last time they traveled to Maryland.
Virginia-The Cavaliers used to be a regular opponent. They haven't played each other since 2009. Mike London and crew won't be an easy win.
Georgia Tech-Paul Johnson's offense has given Clemson fits in years past. Luckily, for Clemson, they get Tech at home for the 2nd straight year because of a scheduling change for the Jackets.
The Citadel-Clemson gets the Citadel one week before playing arch rival South Carolina. The Tigers should take care of business and be healthy for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina-Can Clemson prevent the Gamecocks from getting a 5th straight win in the series? Both teams should be in the top ten when they meet. No matter the record, a loss here will be devastating.
Outlook
Clemson is the favorite to win the ACC Championship and has the weapons to make a run nationally too. The season will boil down to six games on their schedule. Can Clemson beat Georgia, Florida State, and South Carolina, the best three teams on their schedule all in the same year? If they can, it's hard to imagine them not being a national title contender. Those three games are spread out so they will be very manageable for the Tigers. The Tigers have a few trap games as well. They are in NC State on a Thursday night, a trip to Syracuse for the first time, and a young and upcoming team in Maryland. It will take a lot of luck to go undefeated but the Tigers should win the ACC Championship and gain a berth to a BCS Bowl.
Prediction: 11-1