Clemson Football: Holiday Wish List for the Tigers

As Christmas approaches this week, we all have a certain wish list of things we want. That wish list is no different for sports, and there are a few things Clemson Tigers fans should want for the team this holiday season.

Winning the Russell Athletic Bowl versus Oklahoma next Monday is obviously on everyone’s list, but here are a few other things the Tigers should be worrying about at this time.

Good Recovery for Deshaun Watson

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Per ESPN.com, head coach Dabo Swinney announced Watson would miss the bowl game and undergo surgery, giving him three weeks of extra recovery time before the start of next season.

Recovering from the torn ACL will take months, but Tigers fans can hope for the freshman quarterback to stay on or ahead of schedule in his recovery this holiday season.

A Commitment from Mark Fields

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The 4-star cornerback recently decommitted from South Carolina, but he hasn’t ruled the Gamecocks out. He will officially visit Clemson on January 17, but he will see South Carolina last on January 23.

According to Ari Wasserman of the Northeast Ohio Media Group, the Tigers saw 3-star defensive back Juwuan Briscoe back off his commitment to Clemson recently, so adding Fields could help fill the void that Briscoe left.

Good Game from Cole Stoudt

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It hasn’t been the ideal senior season for Cole Stoudt, but Tigers fans would like to see his career end on a positive note. He has the opportunity to have a good game, as he goes up against a Sooners defense that ranks No. 119 in the nation against the pass.

There’s no other Tiger that could use a good game more than Stoudt. He started the season out solid against Georgia and South Carolina State, but he hasn’t performed well since then. The six touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions tell the story of Stoudt’s senior year.

Good Play-Calling from Tony Elliott

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One of the biggest questions for the Tigers entering bowl season is how well the offense will operate without Chad Morris, who recently left to take the head coaching job at SMU. Swinney promoted Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott as co-offensive coordinators, but it is Elliott who will call plays in the bowl game.

The offense will be loaded with talent next fall, but Tigers fans would love to see that the guy calling the plays can get it done. The bowl game will be a great opportunity to see what Elliott can do as the offensive coordinator.

A Win Against Oklahoma

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A few of these things lead us to this ultimate wish: a victory in the Russell Athletic Bowl over Oklahoma. There isn’t as much optimism leading into the matchup without Watson at quarterback, but the Tigers defense should keep the game close no matter who is at quarterback.

This would be the third straight bowl victory for Swinney and company, with all three wins over historically successful programs. The Tigers have defeated LSU and Ohio State in the last two bowl trips, and a win over Oklahoma would only add to Swinney’s impressive resume.