The 2017 Clemson football team has the defense to be a top team, but it’ll need the offense to keep pace.
Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers find themselves at a crossroads on offense. The departure of Deshaun Watson to the NFL leaves Clemson in need of a new playcaller under center.
Swinney has named redshirt junior Kelly Bryant the starter for the time being but that doesn’t mean we won’t see others at quarterback, at least in Week One.
Bryant will bring along an offense that still returns wide receivers Hunter Renfrow and Deon Cain. The duo should put up reasonable numbers as key pieces on offense.
The defending national champions still have a strong defense, that’s for sure. They have a few holes to fill with the losses of linebacker Ben Boulware and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley but they’ve got the players to fill the void.
Linebacker Kendall Joseph is prime for a bigger junior season while junior safety Van Smith looks to become the new leader in the secondary.
The trio of Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins should continue to wreak more havoc on defensive front in 2017 as well. They combined for 34.0 tackles for loss and 16.0 sacks last season.
As far as scheduling goes, the Clemson Tigers are projected to
The Kent State Golden Flashes serve as the Tigers lone tuneup game. After that, they’ll face the likes of Auburn, Louisville and Virginia Tech (both on the road). The Golden Flashes posted a 3-9 record last season.
They return 11 starters from last year’s team (five on defense, six on offense) but they’ll need to improve drastically from 2016. They are 6-18 record in the past two seasons under head coach Paul Haynes.
Kent State averaged 20.6 points per game on offense (117th in the FBS) and allowed 28.7 points per game (67th in the FBS). Statistics like these could pose problems when facing a team like the Clemson Tigers.
The Golden Flashes’ offense threw for just 141.7 passing yards while rushing for 167.5 rushing yards per game in 2017. Their starting quarterback returns with redshirt senior Nick Holley. Holley led the team in rushing yards (920) and rushing touchdowns (10) last season.
Kent State is a young team so the ACC’s level of experience may be too difficult for them to overcome. Without much a passing game, the Louisville Cardinals should shut the Kent State offense down early.
It’s the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Tigers could give Kent State a run for their money as the favored team.
Final: Kent State 0, Clemson 42 (1-0)
The Auburn Tigers offense looks ready to give transfer Jarrett Stidham a go as their starting quarterback. In a rematch of last year’s 19-13 bout, this year’s contest is sure to be another slugfest.
Stidham was the former quarterback at Baylor last time he was a starting collegiate quarterback back in 2015. There, he threw for 1,265 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.
In the backfield, Stidham will have SEC-leading rusher Kamryn Pettway as well as Kerryon Johnson to work with.
The passing game should develop under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. The top receiving target (Ryan Davis) caught just 25 receptions for 194 receiving yards and a touchdown last season.
The Auburn defense will lose some pep in its step without defensive end Carl Lawson and tackle Montravius Adams. They will need some new blood to step in and contribute right away in their absence.
The linebackers, led by Deshaun Davis and Tre’ Williams, should be a handful for the Clemson Tigers at any rate. Seven starters return for a defense that allowed just 17.1 points per game (seventh in the FBS) last season
Clemson has won three straight meetings over Auburn. Considering this one is at home, they should do enough to stave off an early defeat.
Final: Auburn 17, Clemson 20 (2-0)
The Louisville Cardinals enter 2017 in an interesting position. They have an opportunity to challenge for the ACC Atlantic crown with the best player in the conference. With 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson at quarterback, they have an opportunity to be even more explosive.
Granted, Jackson will have to replace weapons like tight end Cole Hikutini and wide receiver James Quick but the Tigers have some players to replace too.
Devante Peete, Jaylen Smith and Traveon Samuel are expected to contribute right away in the receiving corps and they should shine in this game. The Tigers will have their hands full all day trying to contain Lamar Jackson. However, as the Cardinals look to run a more traditional offense, expect to see them keep Jackson safe when they can.
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The Louisville Cardinals lost last season’s matchup 42-36 after leading late in the fourth quarter. In this year’s game, the Cardinals have a chance if the offensive line can hold up. Former Florida Gators coach Mike Summers is expected to fix all that.
The Cardinals are 0-3 against the Tigers since their ACC series began in 2014. That all could end this season, though.
Louisville scored 63 points against second-ranked Florida State in a Week Three victory at home last season, too. The Clemson Tigers could lose one early here while the Cardinals get an early season conference victory.
Final: Clemson 42, Louisville 45 (2-1, 0-1 ACC)
The Boston College Golden Eagles are still at the bottom of the pack in the ACC Atlantic division. While their defense is usually top-notch, their offense is still their biggest concern.
Whether its quarterback Darius Wade or Anthony Brown, the offense should be in much better hands in 2017. Still, with seven returning starters, the offense will still have its struggles.
Boston College ranked 127th in the FBS in total yards per game (292.8) and 120th in passing yards per game (143.8) a season ago. Passing won’t improve overnight, but pieces are in place to overcome the odds.
Running back Jon Hilliman will be the biggest focal point for the offensive attack. Hilliman rushed for 542 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season. Sophomore Davon Jones will get some carries as well
Defense is the Golden Eagles biggest strong suit. Defensive end Harold Landry led the FBS in sacks last season (16.5) looking to have another big season. Middle linebacker Connor Strachan is prime for a breakout season as well.
The Clemson Tigers haven’t had much issue with the Golden Eagles of late, however. They’ve won six games in a row by an average of 18.8 points.
Final: Boston College 7, Clemson 42 (3-1, 1-1 ACC)
The Clemson Tigers and Virginia Tech Hokies face off in a rematch of last year’s ACC Championship game. The Hokies fell by one possession, 42-35, after giving up 182 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Hokies stuck around all night but there was no denying the Clemson offense. The offense accumulated 30 first downs, 470 total yards and just one turnover in the game.
The Virginia Tech offense will need to find a new groove for the 2017 season with the departure of Jerod Evans. They should be in good hands with redshirt freshman Josh Jackson.
Defensively, the Hokies are still a solid group. Up front, Trevon Hill, Vinny Mihota , Ricky Walker and Tim Settle have the experience and talent. In the secondary, the Edmunds’ brothers (Terrell and Tremaine) look to wreak even more havoc.
Two seasoned defensive coordinators in Brent Venables (Clemson) and Bud Foster (Virginia Tech) clash in what should be a defensive clash. Foster’s defense allowed just 22.8 points per game in 2016, 28th in the FBS.
The Hokies have lost four games in a row to the Tigers including two losses in the ACC Championship in 2016 and 2011. They are one of the top teams in the conference, but not quite on Clemson’s level yet.
They should challenge the Clemson Tigers in Week Five but don’t expect an upset just yet.
Final: Virginia Tech 30, Clemson 38 (4-1, 2-1 ACC)
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are another one of those teams battling their way out of the bottom of the ACC. They went 7-6 (3-5 ACC) in 2016. Improvement is on the horizon for head coach Dave Clawson as he enters year four.
The Demon Deacons got plenty of production from running backs Cade Carney and Matt Colburn. Carney ran for 589 rushing yards and six touchdowns and Colburn ran for 626 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season.
The duo could be a bigger force if the offensive line improves. They return three starters but they have struggled to keep their quarterbacks healthy. Kendall Hinton was injured early in the 2016 season and replaced by John Wolford.
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Wolford threw for 1,774 passing yards and nine touchdowns but he also had 10 interceptions. The rising senior also ran for 521 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He returns as the team’s starting quarterback in 2017.
Wake Forest was a much better team on the defensive side of the ball. The only downside entering this season is they return just five starters from last year’s squad.
The Clemson Tigers should make easy work of the Demon Deacons. Despite Wake Forest’s returning experience on offense, the Tigers defense is just too good for them to stop.
Clemson has won the last eight games against Wake Forest heading into this year’s matchup. The Tigers offense should be finding it’s groove entering October. They should handle business here.
Final: Wake Forest 10, Clemson 31 (5-1, 3-1 ACC)
The Syracuse Orange are another team finding their identity under head coach Dino Babers. Their fast-paced offense produced 440.8 yards per game (42nd in the FBS). A majority of those yards came in the passing game.
The Orange ranked 11th in the FBS, 321.3 passing yards per game, behind the arm of quarterback Eric Dungey. Dungey threw for 2,679 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He’ll have Ervin Phillips and Steve Ishmael to throw to in the passing game.
However, Syracuse is another team looking to improve on the offensive line. Their rushing yardage per game ranked 115th in the FBS at 119.6 yards per game. They will certainly have their hands full with the Clemson defense in town.
Running back Dontae Strickland returns as Syracuse’ leading rusher. Strickland rushed for 566 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2016. He only averaged 3.5 yards per carry last season.
On defense, the Orange return 10 defensive players while also welcoming a few graduate transfers in the secondary. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is the unsung leader of this group, only they’ll need to make vast improvements in 2017.
The Clemson Tigers beat the Orange 56-0 last season. This year’s meeting may not be as ugly in Syracuse but the Tigers certainly hold the edge.
Final: Syracuse 13, Clemson 49 (6-1, 4-1 ACC)
Facing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets coming off a bye week could be the best thing to happen to the Clemson Tigers this season. The Triple Option offense is nothing easy to face, but Clemson can use the extra time to prepare.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were 9-4 overall last season, but 4-4 in the ACC. They enter 2017 without their starting b-back Dedrick Mills, who has been dismissed from the team. Mills led the team in rushing yards (771) and rushing touchdowns (12) last season.
The dismissal of Mills on top of the departure of quarterback Justin Mills and running Marcus Marshall (transferred to James Madison), the Yellow Jackets offense could be due for a change. Quarterback Matthew Jordan was due to be next in line as starter but TaQuon Marshall has shown he also has the ability to lead an offense this offseason.
The Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them against a tough Clemson Tigers team. The Clemson offense is one that peaks as the season progresses, while the Georgia Tech defense is its biggest question mark.
The Tigers made quick work of the Yellow Jackets last season with a 26-7 victory, but a late-season matchup should produce a closer outcome in the score column.
Final: Georgia Tech 10, Clemson 24 (7-1, 5-1 ACC)
Last year’s meeting between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Clemson Tigers was an odd one. The game went into overtime, with the Tigers winning 24-17 but the Wolfpack walking away shaking their heads.
The Wolfpack forced four turnovers (three fumbles, one interception) and took the Tigers to the brink of a home loss. They allowed 378 passing yards and two passing touchdowns on defense.
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This time around, as hosts, NC State hopes their experience from last season’s defeat carries over into a victory.
Defensive end Bradley Chubb returns on a defense that returns seven other starters. Chubb had 21.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and three force fumbles in 2016. He’s expected to have bigger production in his senior season.
The Wolfpack’ offense is led by quarterback Ryan Finley. He threw for 3,059 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season.
Finley threw for 231 passing yards in last year’s game but also two interceptions. NC State only scored one offensive touchdown in the game as well. They may or may not improve on that total, as they return eight starters on offense.
Running back Nyheim Hines and hybrid playmaker Jaylen Samuels return looking to replace running back Matt Dayes’ production (1,166 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns). Samuels had 565 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2016.
Unfortunately for NC State, they haven’t beaten the Clemson Tigers since 2011. The Tigers have won 12 of the last 13 meetings and are only getting better. While the Wolfpack’ defense can keep pace, their offense will be the issue here.
Final: NC State 13, Clemson 23 (8-1, 6-1 ACC)
This year’s Florida State vs. Clemson Tigers meeting could be for all the marbles in the ACC Atlantic division. Quarterback Deondre Francois should be a lot more focused in this year’s game after he had a 48.6 percent completion percentage last year.
Clemson put up 17 points in the fourth quarter to erase 28-20 deficit. Quarterback Deshaun Watson got the last laugh with a 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett.
The good thing for the Seminoles now is Watson and Leggett are both gone. Another positive thing is safety Derwin James returns for Florida State. As their centerfielder on defense, he should play a big role in this year’s matchup.
The Seminoles return five players on offense, but the “next man up” mentality should apply here, at least at running back anyways. Whether its Jacques Patrick or Cam Akers in the backfield, they should be in good hands in the running game.
They will need to develop their receivers but by November, a breakout player should have emerged already betwen Nyqwan Murray, Auden Tate and Keith Gavin.
In a game that will showcase two strong defensive units, it’s hard to see the Seminoles losing this one, even if it is on the road. Although, the Clemson Tigers have won two straight games heading into this season’s matchup.
Final: Florida State 31, Clemson 24 (8-2, 6-2 ACC)
The Citadel Bulldogs serve as one of the Clemson Tigers lesser opponents. Much like Kent State, fans should see a fair amount of players on the depth chart here, especially late in the season.
The Bulldogs aren’t a bad team, they went 10-2 last season (7-1 SoCon), losing to the Wofford Terriers 17-3 in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.
They faced an ACC opponent in the North Carolina Tar Heels last season, losing 41-7. They went undefeated before losing their final two games in the 2016 season.
Citadel has won three straight Southern Conference titles and under second-year head coach Brent Thompson, they’re steadily improving as one of the top FCS programs. They rank number 12 in the FCS Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
They are another team that runs the Triple Option offense. They should feature fullback Brandon Rainey and other veterans Jordan Thomas, Lorenzo Ward and Shy McPhail. Cam Jackson is another slot back to watch in the offense as well. He ran for 692 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2016.
Still, the Clemson Tigers are no slouch. They’re a few rungs above the Tar Heels also, so things could get a bit out of hand in the score column.
It will be the first meeting between Clemson and Citadel since 2013. Clemson won that meeting 52-6.
Final: Citadel 7, Clemson 49 (9-2)
It will be Rivalry Week on the road for the Clemson Tigers when they face the South Carolina Gamecocks in their final regular season game of the year.
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The Tigers and Gamecocks have separated themselves from each other as football programs in the past few seasons. While Clemson has a 38-5 record in the past three seasons, South Carolina is 16-22 in the same span.
The Gamecocks are a new team under head coach Will Muschamp as he looks to rebuild a once successful program. They were 6-7 last season, 3-5 in the SEC but this season, they return a ton of experience.
The offense returns 10 players with the only hole being at left guard in terms of starting experience. Jake Bentley looks to be the answer at quarterback after throwing for 1,420 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just four interceptions in 2016.
On defense, the Gamecocks return six players but with linebacker Skai Moore back, they’ve got an unsung leader who should pick up where he left off before his injury. Moore had 110 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, four pass break ups and three forced fumbles in 2015 before missing all of last season with injury.
The Clemson Tigers have still had the Gamecocks number as of late. They beat South Carolina 56-7 last season to the tune of 347 passing yards and six passing touchdowns from quarterback Deshaun Watson. Lucky for the Gamecocks, Watson is gone this season. We’ll see what Kelly Byant can do though.
Final: South Carolina 17, Clemson 35 (10-2)
End of regular season: 10-2 (6-2 ACC)
The Clemson Tigers won’t be a bad team in 2017 and a 10-win finish for them is nothing to scoff at considering the losses on offense. Quarterback Kelly Bryant will have a chance to step in and show what he can do but expect to see Hunter Johnson some as well.
As the Tigers go into the season, experience at quarterback is something they lack. They have enough games on the schedule where Johnson should be able to play, especially in the middle of the schedule.
The other position to watch is running back. Wayne Gallman will be missed but the Tigers have a nice rotation of runners that should fill the void. C.J. Fuller and Tavien Feaster could be the dual-threat rushing attack the Tigers need to get over the hump on offense next season.
Deon Cain and Hunter Renfrow should be solid options at wide receiver. Ray-Ray McCloud is a wild card at the slot position as well.
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Clemson may not repeat as ACC Atlantic division winners, but they’ll be close. They should still receive an at-large bowl bid at the end of the season.