Clemson Tigers 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Clemson Tigers 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 15-0

ATS – 9-5-1

Yes, guy.

The Tigers RAN THE TABLE and did it in impressive fashion. It took them a month or so to get their bearings but then they proceeded to DESTROY the competition. They won each of their final ten games by 20+ points (!) culminating in another National Championship. ROLL TIDE had no answer as Clemson gave them a 44-16 beating.

Clemson has been a part of the College Football Playoff in each of the last four years. They have only lost a total of four games (!) over that time horizon. It’s time to examine whether or not the Tigers have another title run left in the tank.

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Atlantic Division – #1

ACC – #1

Clemson Tigers 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Clemson offense moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE last season and posted a ridiculous 44.3 PPG. The Tigers rushed for 248 YPG at an impressive 6.6 YPC (#2 FBS) and utilized the THROW GAME for 279 YPG.

Things look pretty good once again as arguably the best QB in college football returns for duty. Trevor Lawrence played like a superstar as a true freshman throwing for over 3,200 yards with an impossible 30-4 TD to INT ratio. The WR corps is one of the best in college football, even with the injury to Amari Rodgers (ACL). The good news is that Rodgers appears to be ahead of schedule in terms of rehab and may be able to join the team near the end of the season. More good news? The unit is loaded with talented receivers including Justyn Ross (1,000, 21.7, 9 TD LY) and Tee Higgins (12 TDs LY). Lawrence should be able to do damage once again when he chooses to MATRICULATE the ball down the field in the passing game.

It seems impossible, but RB Travis Etienne may have been UNDERRATED last season. Etienne rushed for over 1,600 yards and 24 (!) TDs at an insane 8.1 YPC. Those are legendary numbers. #3 RB Lyn-J Dixon is back and will provide depth. The offensive line returns three starters to a group that did a great job run blocking and in pass protection. Clemson allowed a mere 17 sacks in close to 500 pass attempts a season ago.

Clemson seems destined to bag over 40 PPG once again but topping last season’s total (44.3) may be a lot to ask.

DEFENSE

Clemson’s defense has been out of this world the past two seasons allowing just 13.1 and 13.6 PPG. They allowed a paltry 96 yards rushing last year whilst bagging 54 sacks (#1 FBS). The biggest news surrounding the defense is the loss of four (!!) defensive linemen to the NFL. Three of those guys were first round picks. Clemson has displayed a knack for reloading (like ROLL TIDE) and there are a lot of highly-recruited potential stars on the DL depth chart waiting to shine. Time will tell how good these guys will be, but it’s probably unrealistic to expect them to be ‘lights out’ right out of the gate. The LB group returns one starter but that is LB Isaiah Simmons who led the Tigers in tackles a season ago (97) whilst tallying 9.5 TFL and 7 PBU. Three starters return to a secondary that promises to be one of the best in the country. Clemson has allowed less than 54% completions for six (!) consecutive years (53.2% LY) and we expect another fine showing in 2019.

It’s a tough ask to expect the Tigers to have the same kind of success on defense this year given the epic loss of talent to the NFL. We still view this as one of the best defenses in college football but expect the PPG output to be closer to the mark that the 2014 team posted (16.7 PPG).

SPECIAL TEAMS

The unit takes a couple of hits as they lose long-time starter Greg Huegel at PK and the aforementioned Amari Rodgers in the punt return game (for the foreseeable future). P Will Spiers was adequate last season.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – There are a couple of tough games on the slate, but overall, it should be easy to navigate. Their toughest tests appear to be a week two battle with Texas A&M, a road date with Syracuse, and the season finale at South Carolina.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Syracuse (September 14)

It’s probably more likely that the Tigers drop a game early (if at all) than once they get rolling, and don’t forget that the last two meetings with the Orange were thrillers. Last year Clemson mounted an unlikely comeback in a 27-23 victory and Syracuse was able to SHOCK THE WORLD in 2017 with a 27-24 win.

Season Win Total

Over – 11.5 -125

Under – 11.5 +105

MEGALOCKS says:

Will take a pass on this market. It’s a lot to ask a team to run the table.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

John W HEISMAN coached four years at Clemson and compiled a record of 19–3–2, an .833 percentage, the best in Clemson football history.

‘Running Down the Hill’ is when the team makes their entrance to the football field before home games. The great Brent Musburger once referred to this tradition as “the most exciting 25 seconds in college football.”

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Neutral

It’s hard to follow up a MASTERPIECE.

The Tigers still appear to be at another level, along with their good pals ROLL TIDE. The talent across the roster is pretty overwhelming but it’s not like there are no question marks. Can they just reload after losing their entire starting entire defensive line that was full of NFL draftees? Will they have the same hunger and edge to them like they did last season when trying to get back on top of the college football world? The schedule is certainly a plus, as is the relatively weak ACC conference. It’s hard to imagine these guys not making a repeat trip to the college football playoff but anything can happen. It’s football.

Clemson has been remarkable vs the point spread. They have a record of 33-23-3 (59%) vs Vegas over the past four seasons despite always getting their opponent’s best shot and having to cover inflated numbers on a regular basis. They haven’t been stellar as road chalk over the past ten years (18-19-1 ATS) so that may be the role you want to avoid when backing these guys. Let’s call it a neutral overall ATS view with a slight positive bias.

We can’t wait to see these guys take the field. Let’s go!

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NEWS

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