2014-15 Football Previews – (ACC) – Tigers
When the Tiger beat Georgia in an opening week thriller it looked like last season might be the year they break through on the promise they have been building over the years.
Clemson Tigers
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney
2013 Record: 11-2
Odds to win National Championship: 66/1
Odds to win (ACC): 10/1
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Clemson Team Link
Instead it was another very good but not great season after losses to FSU and state rival South Carolina. A victory over Ohio State in the Orange Bowl soothed some of the pain but missing their top offensive players from last year their recent run of success might be quickly looked upon as the glory days.
Strengths:
While the offense has led recently if Clemson is going to succeed at a high level this season it will be because the defense performs well. They were in the top quarter of the nation in points allowed last season giving up an average of just 22.2ppg.
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5 of their 7 starting defensive linemen and linebackers return.
Among those returning is Vic Beasley, a slight defensive end with serious burst around the corner. Beasley had 13 sacks last season and while the NFL sorts out what position is best for him what the Tigers need is for him to continue to wreak havoc.
The Tigers defense will have to create more game changing plays this year than in the recent past and Beasley will have to maintain his place among the most dangerous defensive players in the country.
This Tigers squad may be missing names like Boyd and Watkins but overall this is an experienced team. Only 3 of the 22 projected starters are expected to be underclassmen with an amazing 12 projected senior starters including all 4 defensive linemen.
This year will test the depth the program has been developing
Weaknesses:
This year the Tigers will be untested at the most important position of quarterback. Senior Cole Stoudt may start but he has not picked up much experience over the years with Tajh Boyd taking all the snaps.
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He is going to be pushed big time by Freshman Deshaun watson so no matter who plays there are bound to be some mistakes at the pivot.
Over the last few years this team has not been very balanced, leaning to throwing the ball more often than running.
That is something they are going to want to switch to take advantage of an experienced line and less so QB. Unlike in the past they may not have back ready to carry the load that is a threat and none of their top recruits are tailbacks.
This year’s schedule is a monster early – @Georgia, @Florida State and home to North Carolina all before the end of September.
Throw in a home game against South Carolina and Louisville and the Tigers could easily be looking at doube the number of losses of last season. A rough start could have season long consequences.
Prediction: 6-6
Schedule
- Aug 30 – @Georgia
- Sep 6 – South Carolina State
- Sep 20 – @Florida State
- Sep 27 – North Carolina
- Oct 4 – NC State
- Oct 11 – Louisville
- Oct 18 – @Boston College
- Oct 25 – Syracuse
- Nov 6 – @Wake Forest
- Nov 15 – @Georgia Tech
- Nov 22 – Georgia State
- Nov 29 – South Carolina
The Tigers definitely misses a window by not getting to the very top of the mountain with Boyd and Co. This year is going to be a struggle unless the defense becomes a monster or Watson has a Jameis Winston kind of first year.
Throw in a very difficult schedule and I think they will be hard pressed to finish the season in the top 25. This team could be dangerous in underdog roles which should be often as they are experienced if undermanned in some spots.
