The year after Deshaun Watson left Clemson, we wondered if the Tigers were capable of reaching the playoffs again. After Clemson’s suffocating win over Auburn, we can safely say they are capable of reaching the playoffs. It all starts with the Tigers defense which features the country’s best front four. This is what I predicted for the game, and it looks like I wasn’t far off.
I think Clemson is going to control the game with Auburn from to start to finish. Maybe even a couple of TDs victory.
— Jeff or Jeffrey Fann (@TalkinACCSports) September 9, 2017
Clemson got off to shaky start giving up an long opening drive to Auburn, but the defense locked down in the red zone and only gave up a FG. The defense went on to stuff Auburn time and time again.
Auburn finished the game with 68 total yards 6-8… That’s good pass play. This was supposed to be a new Auburn offense with the highly regard Jarrett Stidham at QB. He never had a chance against the Clemson defense that sacked him a whopping 11 times. Clemson QB Kelly Bryant is not Deshaun Watson. He’s solid, and more than good enough to lead the Tigers back to the playoffs. He is a great runner, and a better passer than he’s given credit for.
Now the Tigers have a big non-conference win in the bank. Should Clemson lose a conference game, but win the ACC they will still be in pretty good shape to make the playoff.
The season doesn’t get easier as the Tigers next head to Louisville to face the nation’s most dynamic player Lamar Jackson. Then two weeks after that is a game at resurgent Virginia Tech. You know what they say though defense travels and there isn’t a better one in college football than Clemson right now.
You thought there might be a drop off following the national championship season? There still may be, but apparently it isn’t going to be much. Clemson is a very very good football team.
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