CLEMSON — Clemson football looks to get back on track.

Coach Dabo Swinney's team has fallen off from being a perennial College Football Playoff contender after missing the tournament for the past three seasons. The Tigers went 9-4 last season, their fewest wins since 2010, to miss the ACC championship, too. Still, he is confident his program can return to prominence.

Clemson expects quarterback Cade Klubnik and the offense to improve in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley's system. It also hopes its defense can continue to be dominant despite losing eight starters from last year's team.

As the No. 14 Tigers prepare to face No. 1 Georgia on Saturday (noon ET, ABC) in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, here are three bold predictions for the 2024 season:

Clemson, Dabo Swinney land No. 2 in College Football Playoff

For this outcome, everything comes together for the Tigers. After disastrous mistakes doomed them in each of their losses last season, luck falls on their side.

Clemson falls to Georgia to open the season but finishes the regular season with 11 conseutive wins, including narrow victories against Florida State and Virginia Tech on the road. The Tigers would then make and win the conference championship to land the automatic bye.

Klubnik lifts Clemson's offense to heights not seen since former Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence left for the NFL in 2020. Defensively, Clemson dominates games and complements the offense, and poor place-kicking won't plague the team. An SEC or Big Ten team lands No. 1 in the CFP, but the Tigers become dangerous again through explosive offense and stifling defense.

MORE: Six-hour, last-minute road trip shows trust Clemson's Cade Klubnik has with Phil Mafah

Clemson LB Barrett Carter records 100+ tackles, wins Butkus Award

A Clemson player hasn't recorded at least 100 tackles since 2019 when Isaiah Simmons achieved it and won the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in college. Carter has the makings to join him.

The senior linebacker could have gone to the NFL draft after the 2023 season but returned for "unfinished business," which included graduating and becoming a team captain. Carter logged 73 tackles in 2022 and 62 last year as the No. 2 linebacker, but he is the top one in 2024.

Carter plays with a motor and instincts that attract him to the ball. He likely will need Clemson to have a sustained postseason run since the last time a Tigers player recorded 100 tackles in 12 games was Ben Boulware in 2016.

Clemson freshman WR Bryant Wesco Jr. leads team in catches, receiving yards

A freshman has led Clemson in receptions and receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. Wide receiver Antonio Williams achieved the feat in 2021, and wideout Tyler Brown accomplished it last year. Now, it is Wesco's turn.

The freshman has impressed coaches and teammates since enrolling in January. He has shown work ethic, playmaking ability and catching prowess throughout the offseason and can become an instant impact player for Clemson. He even bulked up to 182 pounds after entering at 170.

The Tigers have a loaded wide receiver room with Williams, Brown, Troy Stellato, Adam Randall and freshman T.J. Moore. Still, their wide receivers have battled injuries throughout the past two seasons that has led to freshmen playing in critical games. A similar opportunity could present itself to Wesco, and he could take off with the opportunity.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Three bold predictions for 2024 season