Clemson Football: 3 reasons Tigers will win the ACC title in 2020
![GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers talks with media after his teams 29-23 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers talks with media after his teams 29-23 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cf3c0f821712dd475b477cd1e1ef64114154432997720523745b8a6949b5919f.jpg)
Clemson football is in a prime position to win its sixth straight ACC title in 2020. Here are the three reasons why the Tigers will do just that.
The 2020 season has begun in the worst way possible. The threat of the novel coronavirus put a halt on all spring practices in March, and many teams are just now heading back to campus for voluntary workouts with all sorts of precautions and safety measures in place to protect the players and the staff.
There has already been 13 reported cases of COVID-19 involving Texas players and many other teams have players that tested positive.
One thing that is for certain, schools across the nation will be trying to play ball this fall and if the season starts as planed, expect to see the Clemson Tigers to dominate the ACC like they have for the past five seasons.
After coming up short against the Joe Burrow-led LSU Tigers in the national title game, Dabo Swinney and Co. look to regroup and prepare for another championship run in what is more than likely Trevor Lawrence’s last season under center.
The Tigers lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. The NFL draft took away two cornerstones from Clemson’s defense last year including, arguably one of the best defensive players in the country (Isiah Simmons) and first round cornerback (A.J. Terrell). Lawrence’s go-to man last season, wide out Tee Higgins who led the team is also gone.
Even more bad news, Higgins’ heir apparent Justyn Ross is out for the season and may never play football again.
With the loss of talent on both sides of the ball, Clemson is still the runaway favorite to repeat as ACC champion.
Here’s why the Tigers will repeat once again.
3. Travis Etienne is returning for his senior season
Travis Etienne has led Clemson in rushing all three of his seasons. He recorded 1,614 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2019 while being named ACC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He also set the school and conference mark for touchdowns in his career.
With the announcement of his return for his senior year, expect Etienne to be hungry after finishing the national championship game with only 78 yards on the ground against LSU.