Clemson football won 10 games last season despite a lot of injuries and poor quarterback play. How many games are they going to win this fall?
Clemson is proof that the rules are different for the national elite. The Tigers won 10 games and finished in the top 25 for the 11th consecutive season, winning their third bowl game in four seasons. To many, however, last season was a disappointment.
Clemson did not win the ACC title for the first time since 2014. Clemson did not win the Atlantic Divison; Wake Forest did. Injuries played a huge factor in Clemson not winning the ACC last season. They had just 28 scholarship players available for its bowl game against Iowa State.
Quarterback DJ Uiagelelei did not play well last season, throwing nine touchdowns and ten interceptions. “DJU” did not have a great offensive line, and many of his skill position players were injured a lot of the season, but Uiagelelei did not raise his play. Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik was supposed to come in and challenge for QB1 but did not win the job.
This season, there are some changes to the Tigers program. Former defensive coordinator Brent Venables is the new head coach of Oklahoma, and former offensive coordinator Tony Elliot is the head coach at Virginia. Dabo Swinney doubled down on his staff, promoting Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator and Wes Goodwin to defensive coordinator.
On the field, the running back room is healthy, and there is more diversity in the expansive receiver room. The defensive line is healthy and should be one of the best in the country. How do they measure up against the schedule?
Here are some game-by-game predictions.