Clemson 2015 Predictions

Clemson has hopes of making the college football playoff. To do so they have a rough schedule, with tough road games and games every Saturday for ten straight weeks. The key to the Tigers’ success in obviously sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson. As a freshman Watson missed games due to two different injuries. He must remain healthy for Clemson to have a chance in 2015.


Key number two: the Tigers must come to play, against not only the good opponents (Louisville, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, FSU, and South Carolina) but also the underdogs ready to take a bite out of Clemson’s season: App State, BC, Miami, NC State, and Syracuse. There can be no let up.

Key number three: Who will Clemson have besides Watson? Will there be a running game to take the load off Deshaun? Will be defense be as good as last year?

September 6 vs Wofford: A big, easy win. 1 – 0.

September 12 vs Appalachian State: Another win. Perhaps close for a half, then Clemson will pull away. 2 – 0.

September 17 at Louisville (Thursday Night): Key game number one. Clemson has been looking forward to this game for months. They have to show up and play. Otherwise the Cardinals will steal the game. 3 - 0.

October 3 vs Notre Dame: key game number two. Many pick the Irish to make the playoff. Clemson is one of their few tough opponents. The Tigers can’t be overwhelmed by the gold helmets, and after a two week layoff have to come in ready to play. Should Georgia Tech win in South Bend the week before, the Irish will be all the hungrier. But I’m not as impressed with the Irish as all the expects. Clemson wins a close one. 4 – 0.

October 10 vs Georgia Tech: the Tigers have a thing in their head about the Yellow Jackets, thinking they’re harder to beat than perhaps they really are. Justin Thomas will be the best quarterback Clemson will face all year – stopping him will be the key. Let’s say the Tigers edge the Jackets in a high scoring game, thanks to a couple of missed field goals by Tech. 5 – 0.

October 17 vs Boston College: Finally a breather. On the road after three tough games this game might be close. But at home the Tigers will pull away in the fourth quarter. 6 – 0.

October 24 at Miami: another possible upset. The 6-0 Tigers would hit South Beach thinking highly of themselves, then not know what hit them when the Canes kick off. But I’m thinking Clemson can right the ship and win – a close one, of course. 7 – 0.

October 31 at NC State: the Wolfpack always play Clemson tough. Should the Tigers come in undefeated, State will play even tougher. But Clemson wins another close one. 8 – 0.

November 7 vs FSU: the entire season rides on this game. Against the Noles Clemson often falls behind early then can’t quite catch up. Will FSU be potent offensively? Yet another close one – and Clemson wins again. 9 – 0.

November 14 at Syracuse: A Clemson win, perhaps another blowout like two years ago. 10 – 0.

November 21 vs Wake Forest: At home the Tigers cruise. 11 – 0.

November 28 at South Carolina: The Cocks will put a scare into Clemson early, but in the end the Tigers break hearts in Columbia. The undefeated Tigers are ranked in the top four and are a lock to make the four team playoff – if they win their conference. 12 – 0.

December 5 vs Georgia Tech (ACC Championship Game in Charlotte): In the rematch, the underdog Yellow Jackets rebound to beat Clemson, who are caught looking ahead to the playoff. 12 – 1.

Worst case: Clemson loses at Louisville and the things get worse: losses to Notre Dame, Tech, Miami, and FSU, finishing the season 7-5.