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Clemson Football: 5 reasons why the Tigers will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 01: James Quick #17 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff arms Marcus Edmond #29 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 42-36. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 01: James Quick #17 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff arms Marcus Edmond #29 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 42-36. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Florida State and Louisville

Clemson barely overcame the Louisville Cardinals and Florida State Seminoles in 2016. They defeated Louisville in the final seconds of the game, when the Cardinals were not able to convert on their final drive.

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Florida State was just one turnover and three points away from defeating Clemson. However, that seemed to happen to the Noles on more than one occasion in 2016. Moreover, Florida State promises to be even better in 2017.

Both Florida State and Clemson have some of the best quarterbacks in the country between Heisman hopeful Deondre Francois and the defending Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Both Francois and Jackson are eons ahead of whatever option Clemson goes with at QB.

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If Clemson does overcome both Florida State and Louisville, then they still have to worry about the Auburn Tigers, Virginia Tech Hokies, NC State Wolfpack, and South Carolina Gamecocks. There’s quite a few opportunities for opponents to pull an upset on Clemson this year. Not to mention the teams that might be favored against them.

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