Clemson was one win away from winning it all last season behind the exquisite play of Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately, the Tigers ran into Alabama in the national title game and couldn’t pull it out, but it was still the best season at Clemson in years. Watson is back and there is hope that this could be the season that Clemson puts it all together and wins its second national title.
Clemson Tigers Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tigers Over 10 -160
Tigers Under 10 +130
2015 CLEMSON TIGERS SEASON REVIEW
The Tigers were the only undefeated team at the end of the regular season and ended up being the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. There were feelings that something special was happening after Clemson held off to beat Notre Dame in a rain-soaked game and the emotions were pushed to the hilt after the Tigers knocked off conference foe Florida State in a game that wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. Clemson held on to win close games against the Carolinas in the last two regular season games before dispatching of Oklahoma by 20 points in the semi-finals. The Tigers surprised many by playing Alabama close in the national title game and actually had the lead going into the fourth quarter.
Deshaun Watson ended up going to New York as a Heisman Trophy Finalist and he was the top quarterback in the country in 2015. Watson passed for over 4000 yards and 35 touchdowns and also ran for 1105 yards and 12 touchdowns. He gave defenses fits all season long and even threw for 400 yards and lit up Alabama’s vaunted secondary.
Wayne Gallman had a fantastic season as well. He ran for over 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and was a workhorse late in games. He was a First Team All-ACC running back last season and topped the 100-yard mark nine times, including a 150-yard two touchdown performance against Oklahoma in the semi-finals.
WHAT CHANGED
Offensively, most of the talent is back, but defensively there are going to be a lot of new faces. The Tigers had four starters taken in the first two rounds of the draft and lose a lot of their pass-rushing capabilities with Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson in the NFL. Dodd and Lawson each had 12 sacks last season and that will be difficult to replace.
The other duo that Clemson will be without is the secondary combination of Mackensie Alexander and TJ Green. Alexander didn’t see many passes as a shutdown corner and Green was a sure tackler from the safety position. The secondary now goes from one of the strongest units on the team to probably the weakest in 2016.
2016 CLEMSON TIGERS SEASON PREVIEW
Clemson’s offense should put up fantastic numbers again this season. Watson and Gallman are back for at least one more season and will without question be the best backfield in the ACC. Watson will also get one of his top targets back in Mike Williams. Williams missed virtually all of last season after being one of the best receivers in the conference in 2014 and will shine alongside last year’s standout Artavis Scott and Hunter Renfrow.
Defensively, there are reasons to worry. Only four starters return from last year’s unit and only five upperclassmen are projected to start this season. There is still plenty of talent on this side of the ball for Brent Venables to work with though. Dexter Lawrence was one of the top recruits in the country and is projected to be an opening game starter. DT Carlos Watkins, LB Ben Boulware, and CB Cordrea Tankersley also bring starting experience and veteran leadership to each of their position groups.
The Tigers’ trip to Auburn to start the season doesn’t look nearly as daunting as it once did as Auburn will be breaking in a new starter and installing a new defense. The season will likely come down to one game however, October 29 when they travel to Tallahassee. If Clemson can knock off the Seminoles, they are very likely to win the conference and get over its win total.
College Football Odds: Clemson Tigers Over 10 Wins -160
Bookmaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at Bookmaker sportsbook!
