Clemson Tigers 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Clemson Tigers 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 14-1 (National Champions !)

2016 ATS – 8-7

What a ride ! The Tigers finished up their championship season with a last second win over Alabama. A game for the ages. What will Clemson do for an encore ?

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Atlantic Division – #2

Atlantic Coast Conference – To be determined

OFFENSE

It is going to be strange watching this offense without the great Deshaun Watson at the controls. They are also going to be without several productive players at the RB, WR and TE position. It should be interesting. Goodness knows, the talent is there.

Kelly Bryant is the man at QB. At least for now. He does not have to be D Watson. There is a great OL to protect him and plenty of talent at RB and WR. Highly recruited freshman Hunter Johnson is waiting in the wings but it is hard to believe he will be immediately ready for prime time. Then again, Clemson just keeps on rolling.

It is going to be almost impossible to replace the production of RB Wayne Gallman (1,133 rush yards, 17 TD), WR Mike Williams (1,361 rec yards, 11 TD) and TE Jordan Leggett (736 rec yards, 7 TD). That is to say, three guys will not be able to do it, but the Clemson attack will still be a force by spreading the ball around to a slew of talented players. RBs Tavien Feaster, Adam Choice and others should be able to have big seasons running behind a yuuuuuuge and talented offensive line. It is almost a certainty that a big time #1 WR will emerge at some point during the season.

DEFENSE

Dedicated MEGALOCKS SUPER PREMIUM ELITE members know that we pay a lot of attention to the ability of a defense to get PENETRATION. Clemson has excelled at this the past number of seasons, and as a result, it is no surprise that they have won so many big games. It also helps to have DC Brent Venables on board.

Clemson was #3 in the NCAA in sacks (Alabama, Florida St) with 49 and #10 in sacks per game. In fact, the Tigers have tallied 49,48 and 45 over the past three campaigns. The Tigers return three starters on the DL and promise to be one of the best fronts in the FBS. The pair of DTs (Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins) are comically talented and devastating to opposing offenses.

Clemson loses leader and leading tackler from the 2016 team in Ben Boulware, but overall, the back seven of the defense is still loaded with plenty of talent. A pair of starters return in the LB unit and secondary.

Prognosis for opposing offenses ? “Pain”. (Clubber Lang – Rocky 3)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Greg Huegel is back this season (14/19 FG – 2016) but the Tigers need to break in a new punter. There should be plenty of options to choose from when it comes to returning kickoffs and punts.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

September 23 – BOSTON COLLEGE. Sandwiched between yuuuuuge road games against the Cardinals and Hokies.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Amaze your psycho ex-girlfriend with this GEM. Clemson has increased their sack total in five consecutive seasons – 24,34,38,45,48,49. Can they hang FITTY this year ?

Clemson outscored opponents 176-34 in the first quarter last season.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the TIGERS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.

Clemson has recorded double-digit wins in six consecutive seasons. Just as impressive ? Only one losing season ATS over that time horizon (2014 – 6-7).

The schedule starts out a bit nasty with September road dates against Louisville and Virginia Tech. Things lighten up in October and then comes the STEEL CAGE MATCH with Florida St on November 11. The Tigers are just too talented and WELL COACHED to predict anything other than a balanced overall ATS record in 2017. As always, we will be looking for the right spots to play on these guys.

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