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15 biggest college football storylines to watch in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) passes the ball during the second half of the spring game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) passes the ball during the second half of the spring game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Can Clemson return to the top of the ACC?

In the Atlantic Coast Conference, it’s been the Clemson Tigers then everybody else. The Tigers have won the ACC title in 2015 and 2016, but can they duplicate that success in 2017?

Clemson will have to replace starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman but they’ve got some talent waiting in the wings.

Running back Tavien Feaster showed flashes of what he can do last season but now he’ll have to do it more consistently as a starter.

The quarterback battle could go well into the fall. Kelly Bryant, Zerrick Cooper, Hunter Johnson and Chase Brice are all potential starters until Week 1 of the regular season.

Bryant is the only quarterback with on-field collegiate experience. He threw nine passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in 2016.

The Tigers defensive unit should carry them all season long. They return seven starters, including defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. The two combined for 10.0 sacks a season ago.

While the offense will be a work in-progress, the defense should be what wins them games. It will be interesting to see how good they will be in 2017.

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