Clemson’s win over South Carolina feels like ages ago as the whirlwind of December in college football has seemed to sweep us into next season. Coaching changes, portal departures, portal offers, a strong 22-man class in the early signing period, and, more recently, the lawsuit Florida State brought against the ACC have earned our attention. This week, the 2023 football season reminds us it isn’t over quite yet as the Clemson Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats close out their respective seasons in Jacksonville in the Gator Bowl.
With Clemson’s defense severely thinned by opt-outs (Jeremiah Trotter, Ruke Orhorhoro, Nate Wiggins), injuries (Sheridan Jones, Jeadyn Lukus), and transfer (Andrew Mukuba), this game feels more like a look-ahead to 2024 than a postseason culmination of the season that was.