The Tigers have been struggling to reconstruct and show that they are still among the best teams in college football. As the Clemson team drudge towards the onset of the 2024 season, they make themselves ready to prove not just their capability but Clemson’s integrity to the world. As any recruiter knows, talent and potential are two of the things Saban is best at identifying.

Nick Saban, the legendary former coach of Alabama, is turning his attention away from his former assistant, Kirby Smart, and setting his sights on Clemson. And to the idea that Clemson is an underdog, to begin with the 2024 season, Saban does not subscribe to such a thought. Although Georgia has already been dubbed as invincible, Saban has not lost sight of what Clemson has been achieving and still thinks that they are a hidden beast. His recent remarks have fueled the topics of discussion as fans of the Clemson team are now ready for their side to silence the critics.

X tweet by @TigerCommenter, pointed at this change when he acknowledged that in recent days, Saban has been heaping a lot of praise on Clemson. Saban was quoted saying, “They are better than people give them credit for”.  These words woke up a lot of people, given Clemson’s struggles in recent years. While Georgia continues to bask in the glory of back-to-back national championships, Saban seems to be sending a clear message: don’t underestimate Clemson! 

Clemson’s response to Saban’s praise

This isn’t the first time Saban has shifted his focus in the face of changing dynamics in college football. That is why one can consider him as one of the greatest coaches of all times, because of his versatility in preparing for other challenges. As Kirby Smart establishes himself as a force in the SEC for the bulldogs, Saban knows that his former student ain’t the only one basking in the glory. He pays attention to the fact that Clemson may pose a great threat, but Alabama never shies away from the next big nemesis, whoever it is.

Loyal fans of the Clemson team have not failed to capture the words spoken by Saban and the buzz is on. Perhaps Saban’s appreciation is all that they need to work even more effectively and be even more successful. Every team has gone through its rough patches, and Clemson is no exception, but Saban’s words indicate that he is aware of something others fail to see in the Tigers. He is not one to begin heaping “praises” and so, his recognition of Clemson’s ability is quite valuable. It is possible that, by focusing on Clemson, Saban might be preparing for a showdown that other people have not considered.

Acceptance from such a coach as Saban could be a rarity and the coaching staff and players at Clemson are likely taking that as a challenge. His comments could be an indicator that the Clemson Tigers could be on the verge of something huge and a message to everybody else–watch out for them. And now, as the season begins, all the eyes are on how well Clemson will cope with the attention.