If any team can rival Alabama for supremacy it’s Clemson. And the Tigers may have even surpassed the mighty Tide to sit atop the college football world after their dismantling of Bama in last season’s national championship game. Dabo Swinney has built a powerhouse and it doesn’t appear as though the Tigers are going to relinquish their status. Clemson has reached the CFP the last four seasons winning a pair of national championships. The Tigers are easily the best team in the ACC and they will make a claim to be No. 1 the entire season.
A record of 55-4 over the last four seasons, at least 10 wins in eight straight campaigns, and a conference that has yet to catch up gives Clemson an easy road to another CFP berth. The Tigers shredded opponents last year and Trevor Lawrence is back for an encore. Great teams lose players that make them that way, and the Tigers lost some talent on defense. However, that won’t matter with Lawrence leading a frightening offense. You have to bet a lot to make a little, but in the end it’s a win and some extra coin in your pocket.
College Football Playoff Odds at BookMaker.eu
Clemson Tigers to make 4-team playoff
Yes -640
No +425
What makes Clemson so scary is the level of talent that keeps funneling into the program. At the very least Swinney has taken his club to an even level with Alabama, and many think the Tigers are step above after their 28-point demolition in last season’s CFP title game. Every season is different and we don’t know what’s going to transpire in 2019, but the gap between Clemson and every other team in the ACC is widening. Even if Clemson faces some unexpected obstacles along the way, they are good enough to win a fifth straight ACC crown.
2019 Clemson Tigers Schedule
Week 1: vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Week 2: vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Week 3: at Syracuse Orange
Week 4: vs. Charlotte 49ers
Week 5: at North Carolina Tar Heels
Week 6: OFF
Week 7: vs. Florida State Seminoles
Week 8: at Louisville Cardinals
Week 9: vs. Boston College Eagles
Week 10: vs. Wofford Terriers
Week 11: at NC State Wolfpack
Week 12: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Week 13: OFF
Week 14: at South Carolina Gamecocks
Clemson Tigers Schedule Analysis
Clemson better be over its championship hangover with a tough opening stretch of games to kick off the season. It starts with a conference matchup against Georgia Tech with the biggest game of the year in Week 2 against Texas AM. The Aggies should be much improved in Jimbo Fisher’s second season, and the coach had a 4-4 record against Clemson during his tenure at Florida State.
The first road game of the year is a Week 3 tilt at Syracuse, which has given Clemson fits the last two years. The Orange pulled off the upset at home in 2017 and held a late lead last year before the Tigers rallied. Clemson won its games last year against the Aggies and Orange by a combined six points. The game at NC State could be dangerous and the season-ending rivalry tilt at South Carolina could pose a problem. Those who claim Clemson has an easy road to the CFP aren’t far off.
Clemson Tigers Season Preview
Lawrence, Travis Etienne and the rest of the offense were glorified last year for amassing over 527 yards and 44.3 points per game to rank among the top-five nationally. A bunch of talent returns on that side of the ball and there won’t be a decrease in production. Lawrence probably would have been the first pick in the NFL Draft. Thankfully for Swinney and Clemson faithful he wasn’t eligible. So he’s back to do more damage against the ACC in 2019.
Inserting Lawrence as the starter early last season proved to be a shrewd move. The true freshman proceeded to throw for 3,280 yards and 30 touchdowns with only four interceptions. And he has an abundance of riches at his disposal again. Etienne averaged 8.1 yards every time he carried the football while Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross combined for 105 catches and 21 touchdowns.
As good as Clemson was offensively, the other side of the football was the team’s strength. Replacing the best line in the game will be difficult and we could see the numbers increase in 2019. The Tigers were No. 1 in fewest points allowed per game and sixth overall. Even if there is some regression, opponents won’t do enough to keep up with Lawrence and the explosive offense.
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