Predictions: Clemson

The national champs seek to defend their title. Sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence is heralded as the best QB in the nation, above Tua, Fromm, and others. RB Etienne has committed to improvement. The receiving core is solid. The elite defensive line graduated, and a bevy of NFL prospects stepped forward to take their place. Usually a relative weak spot, even the kicking game is solid. Clemson can go undefeated, win the ACC, and advance to the College Football Playoff even if Lawrence and/or Etienne get hurt.

 

Aug 29 vs Georgia Tech: WIN. Tigers cruised despite Lawrence throwing two interceptions. 1-0.

 

Sept 7 vs Texas A&M: WIN. Toughest test of the season. Jimbo’s Aggies are improved. Dual-threat QB Kellen Mond won’t be easy to defend. Last year Clemson beat A&M in College Station with Kelly Bryant at QB. This year the Tigers will pull away in the second half. 2-0.

 

Sept 14 at Syracuse: WIN. Clemson lost the last time they traveled to the Carrier Dome, but that was when Kelly Bryant withered and went down. The Orangemen gave the Tigers a scare last year in Death Valley. Trevor won’t let that happen on his watch. Syracuse lost their QB, so a Clemson victory shouldn’t be so hard this year. 3-0.

 

Sept 21 vs UNC Charlotte: WIN. The backups get some P.T. Some will be alarmed when Clemson doesn’t lead 40-0 after one quarter. Depending on the coin flip and the punting game, the first quarter may end 7-0. Many don’t understand that. But in the end the Tigers win big. 4-0.

 

Sept 28 at North Carolina: WIN. The Heels are much improved, but even at Keenan Stadium they’ll be no match for Clemson. 5-0.

 

Oct 12 vs Florida State: WIN. The Noles ain’t what they used to be. 6-0.

 

Oct 19 at Louisville: WIN. The game will be at night. On ESPN. The Cards will come out in all black. Like that will help. Tigers win big. 7-0.

 

Oct 26 vs Boston College: The Eagles always play Clemson tough, and this year will be no exception. BC has an experienced dual-threat QB the TV announcers will hype before the game, just like they did the week before in Louisville, against FSU, against UNC. It’s all talk. Tigers won’t blow out BC, but will still win handily. 8-0.

 

Nov 2 vs Wofford: WIN. The backups get on the field again. 9-0.

 

Nov 9 at NC State: WIN. A tough road game, but Trevor gets the job done. 10-0.

 

Nov 16 vs Wake Forest: WIN. Senior day. 11-0.

 

Nov 30 at South Carolina: WIN. Gamecocks will come out in all black. Just like Louisville did. Won’t help. This one won’t be as close as last year. 12-0.

 

Dec 2 ACC Championship Game (Charlotte) vs Miami: WIN. Night game with Herbstreit on the call. Not sure why. Canes won their division, but won’t put up much of a fight. Tigers will handily. Backup QB Will Bryce gets more playing time. 13-0.

 

Dec 28 College Football Playoff Semifinal vs Ohio State: WIN. Is this the year the Buckeyes finally advance? Like Lawrence, OSU QB Justin Fields had a banner year rolling over vastly inferior opponents. But the Tiger D will make Fields look like he did last year against SEC opposition, and that ain’t good. Fumbles. Interceptions. 14-0.  

 

Jan 6 College Football Playoff Championship Game (New Orleans) vs UGA: WIN: Both teams come into the game on a roll. But the media focus is on the defending champs, Lawrence, and Etienne. Dabo makes it two straight. 15-0.

 

Only right to make my UGA predictions match up with my Clemson predictions. Guess I could cheat and predict both UGA and Clemson win out. Who would notice? But that wouldn’t be right.