Clemson Tigers Season Preview

Yabba Dabba Doo Dah! Well, not so much last year, as the Tigers went 6-7 and had their first losing season since 1998. They went through not one, but two different quarterbacks under Dabo Swinney.  

Kyle Parker went through a few injuries last year and struggled miserably down the stretch of the season where he was hampered by a rib injury. He was pulled in the MCC Bowl in a loss to South Florida after he was flat out awful, but Tajh Boyd came in and threw 2 TDs in the 4th quarter to keep the game within reach.

Solid Skill Players

Boyd is now entering his sophomore campaign and is expecting to put on a clinic with all of his weapons back at his disposal.

DeAndre Hopkins was a Third Team Freshman All-American, and has a tremendous speed as his 52 catches for 637 yards and 4 TDs back up. He is expected to make the All-ACC team this season and his counterparts are no slouches either.

Sammy Watkins (6’1”, 180-pounds) is an incoming freshman that is already making headlines for his dazzling one handed grabs and his ability to have that extra gear while running downfield.

Carone Peake is another diaper dandy (6’3”, 200-pounds) who will see some playing time, though he is behind a few Tiger receivers. Bryce McNeal (6’1”, 180-pounds) runs almost as well as Joe Craig (5’10”, 160-pounds) who runs a sub 4.28 forty yard dash.

Craig is the fastest player on the team and will contribute to a deep core of talented receivers that are young and developing. 

Shore Up That Blocking

Clemson has four starters returning on the line and though this unit has struggled at times, their backs have helped make it an easier process. 

Dalton Freeman is their stud at center and has made a few Pre-Season First Team All-ACC mentions by many publications.  Landon Walker and Antoine McClain are solid linemen that should pave 1,000 yards for starting running back Andre Ellington.

Ellington is a talented back and his job is secure, however freshmen sensation Mike Bellamy will get several carries in the first two games against Troy and Wofford assuming Clemson has a comfortable lead in both of those two home games. 

Losses Up Front Will Test the Tigers

The defense has five starters back but loses arguably its six top defensive players. DeAndre McDaniel, Da’Quan Bowers, Marcus Gilchrist, Jarvis Jenkins, Byron Maxwell and Brandon Maye (transferred to Miss. St) are gone, and their replacements must fill in admirably.

Malliciah Goodman at defensive end will be a solid rotation with Andre Branch and Brandon Thompson. The front four may be weak compared to last year’s, but that was one of the ACC’s premier front four.

The linebacking corp has never been loaded with talented, but that should change this season with a ton of elite incoming freshmen. 

Young Pups to the Rescue

Linebacker Tony Steward took a pass on Florida State for Clemson and he will be joined by Stephone Anthony. They could be starting soon, but they will both see significant playing time regardless.

Corico Hawkins is the leading tackler returnee and Quandon Christian will make up the third starter. The LB corps has struggled in years past, but this time around they feature every ingredient needed.

The secondary only returns two players in Xavier Brewer and Rashard Hall, but only Hall is an All-ACC performer. Coty Sensabaugh will be the other starting corner being backed up by Garry Peters and Darius Robinson (both highly recruited second year players).

Jonathan Meeks is the strong safety, and while the Tigers ranked 22nd a season ago, their numbers may decrease just a little bit since the pass rush will not be quite as ferocious. 

Drama's Forecast

The schedule is very difficult as they are going up against three of last season's top 20 teams in a row. After hosting Troy & Wofford they get to host Auburn and Florida State before they go to Blacksburg to take on a solid defensive Hokie team.

The other home games are against Wake Forest, UNC, and BC. The road games are against Maryland, Georgia Tech, NCST, and South Carolina. The Gamecocks are picked by most to win the SEC East whereas those three ACC opponents should be on the verge of becoming bowl eligible when they go up against them.

FSU, VT, and SC will be three brutal games where Clemson may not come out victorious, but if they can avoid getting blown out and give those juggernauts a ballgame it will only help their momentum and confidence. Clemson should easily have a better year despite the tough schedule. If they can get by the middle pack of the ACC and protect Howard’s Rock at Clemson Memorial Stadium, we may be looking at a dark horse BCS team that has the talent to compete with Florida State and Virginia Tech.

Predicted Finish: 8-5, 5-3

Predicted Bowl: Brut Sun Bowl 

Predicted order of finish in ACC: Second in Atlantic, Fifth Overall