Let's continue our series with the Clemson Tigers.
Best / Worse Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | NC State | Boston College | Syracuse | North Carolina | Wake Forest
Clemson
Life is good in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers reached the the top of the mountain by knocking off Alabama in the national title game and winning it all. The Tigers now sit on the Mount Rushmore of this current era of college football along with Alabama, Ohio State and Florida State. Dabo Swinney has built a powerhouse program, that isn’t likely to back up much even with the departure of QB Deshaun Watson. Can they reach the playoffs for a 3rd straight year?
Will Go 12-0 (8-0) if:
Kelly Bryant can be solid at QB. Bryant doesn’t have to be Deshaun Watson, but he can’t be awful. Clemson’s blue print for being great is a lot like Alabama’s in 2017. Just get serviceable QB play and be dominant at the lines of scrimmage. The offensive line will be among the nation’s best, and defensive line features 4 future NFLers and is arguably the country’s top unit. When you are that good at the line of scrimmage you can beat anyone on your schedule. Wayne Gallman also leaves a big hole at RB, and C.J. Fuller or Tavien Feaster must come along quickly.
Games at Louisville, Virginia Tech, and NC State won’t be easy, but there’s enough talent still at Clemson to run the table.
Will Go 9-3 (5-3) if:
When the most important position of the field QB, begins with a question mark – nothing is guaranteed. I wasn’t terribly impressed by the QB play in the spring game. How many great teams in recent years not named Alabama have been national title contenders without great quarterbacks?
It’s hard to see Clemson going 5-0 in these 5 games – Auburn, at Louisville, at Virginia Tech, at NC State and FSU. Can you see Clemson going 2-3 in those 5 games? I sure can if whomever plays QB struggles some and the defense isn’t quite as good as advertised.
