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Clemson Football: 5 takeaways from national title-winning 2018 season

By Christian Candeloro

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: James Edwards #95 and Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebtate their teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: James Edwards #95 and Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebtate their teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football silenced the doubters and won another national title. Here are five takeaways from the Tigers’ National Championship season.

This is a season that not many could predict. Sure, it was easy to say that Clemson could win the National Championship, but did anyone think it would do it with freshman quarterback and by dismantling an undefeated Alabama squad in the process?

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence proved to be the best quarterback in college football and the Clemson defense swallowed up any offenses that it faced. The team enters the best ever discussion and this could only be the beginning.

After a magical season that left Tigers fans ready for more, here are five takeaways to think about through the offseason.

5. This is the start of a new dynasty

Clemson has made every College Football Playoff since 2015, missing only the inaugural tournament. It shocked Alabama in 2017 behind Deshaun Watson, but had fallen short in 2016 and looked hopelessly outmatched in 2018. This year was completely different.

The Tigers outclassed Alabama in every regard. Trevor Lawrence outplayed Tua Tagovailoa, the Clemson offensive line shut down Alabama’s defensive line, and the Clemson defense stymied Alabama’s offense all night. This was not the usual iteration of Clemson vs. Alabama. This showed that Clemson was miles ahead.

Frankly, Clemson was miles ahead of everyone in college football this season. The Tigers won 13 games this season by 20 or more points, with only a two-point win over Texas A&M where the Tigers started Kelly Bryant and a four-point win over Syracuse in which Lawrence was injured spoil that number. At full strength the Tigers were untouchable. Clemson demolished Notre Dame in the Playoff and Pitt in the ACC Championship game, leading up to its blowout win over Alabama.

There aren’t many reasons to think the Tigers won’t be back in 2019. The Tigers get Texas A&M at home next season and welcome in the 6th ranked recruiting class in the nation. However, any discussion has to start with the return of Lawrence, who will remain in school for two more years at least. The Clemson Tigers aren’t going anywhere and that’s bad news for the ACC and the rest of college football.

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