Clemson football opens its 2017 season against Kent State on Saturday afternoon and here’s everything you need to know.
The 2016 season has to be considered a major success for Clemson football — obviously. The Tigers came away with the ACC title, a spot in the playoff and and a national title victory over Alabama. It was the ideal way to end the career for Deshaun Watson, but now the Tigers are forced to replace the all-everything quarterback.
Dabo Swinney is confident he has the next star under center in junior Kelly Bryant, but he can he truly replace Watson? Time will tell. Swinney does, however, have an elite defense to work with along with a pretty solid offensive attack led by a group of experienced receivers.
Last year, the Golden Flashes finished just 3-9 and had one of the more forgettable seasons of any MAC squad. Paul Haynes’ squad hasn’t been successful over the past few years, but the team will be without its head coach for the next 2-3 weeks as he took a medical leave. The team is now in the hands of offensive coordinator Don Treadwell.
Nick Holley is back at quarterback for his senior year after having his junior season cut short in Week 11 with a knee injury. He had over 1,600 all-purpose yards last season and will be looking to lead the offense with talented sophomore running back Justin Rankin behind him.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Clemson football game online:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to victory
Clemson just needs to make sure to step on the gas pedal early and not let up. Kent State isn’t going to be able to keep up with the Tigers on offense and Clemson needs to head into the locker room at halftime with a four-touchdown lead. Bryant needs to have a nice start to his career and get his confidence up early. Dabo needs to let his quarterback prove himself.
Kent State is going to have a rough day either way offensively, but if the defense can figure out a way to make Clemson’s first-year starting quarterback uncomfortable, that would be ideal. The Golden Flashes are going to have to hope to create turnovers to have a chance since the offense was one of the worst in the nation last year. This could get ugly.
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Prediction
Last season in non-conference play, Kent State faced Alabama and lost 48-0, and I can see a similar result in this one. The Golden Flashes are going to get into Clemson territory a couple of times, but that’s just about it. The Tigers’ defense will still be trying to work out some kinks and it will allow the Golden Flashes to get on the board with two field goals. That’s it, though. Clemson runs away with this one as Bryant impresses under center.
Final Score: Kent State 6, Clemson 49