Clemson Tigers 2020 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Clemson Tigers 2020 College Football Preview

August 15

2019 Recap

Record – 14-1

ATS – 11-4

The Clemson Tigers treated their fans and the entire college football world to another display of elite performance. They rattled off fourteen consecutive wins, scored 50+ points on seven (!) occasions, and made their fifth straight College Football Playoff appearance. The problem? They ran into a BUZZSAW, those phenomenal LSU Tigers who had one of the greatest seasons in the history of college football. <CONGRATS to MEGALOCKS FUTURES CLUB members>

Do they have the RIGHT STUFF in 2020?

2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

ACC – #1

<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>

Clemson Tigers 2020 Outlook

OFFENSE

It’s comically unfair, but yet true. Clemson might have the best quarterback AND the best running back in the country. Trevor Lawrence is already a superstar and comes into this season riding a 22-0 TD to INT streak (8 games) whilst boasting a career mark of 25-1 as a starter. Back-up QB Chase Brice has transferred out of the program but they have the NEXT BIG THING waiting in the wings in highly-touted specimen D.J. Uiagalelei. RB Travis Etienne is a phenomenal dual-threat who booked over 1,600 yards rushing last year (19 TD, 7.8 YPC) whilst catching 37 balls out of the backfield. #2 RB Lyn-J Dixon also returns (635, 6 TD). The WR group moves on without their top-two targets as Tee Higgins is now a Cincinnati Bengal and Justyn Ross is lost for the year due to injury. Amari Rodgers is back in the mix (426, 4 TD) and there are some young and talented faces ready to step up. TE Braden Galloway could be a SURPRISE PACKAGE this year at tight end as he comes back from a one-year drug suspension. It’s a virtual certainty that Lawrence will make good use of this big-time weapon. If there’s such as thing as a “worry” regarding the Tigers’ offense it’s probably an offensive line that returns just one starter.

Clemson averaged 44 PPG (#4 FBS) and 529 YPG (#5 FBS) in 2019 and we expect another top-ten finish in each of those categories this season.

DEFENSE

We just have to enjoy it, yo.

Ace defensive coordinator Brent Venables is back to terrorize opposing offenses and note that Clemson has finished in the top-10 in total defense six straight times. A couple of key components are missing from last year’s stop unit (#6 FBS total defense, #3 scoring defense), including star linebacker Isaiah Simmons, but the starting defensive line returns intact and boasts a pair of excellent tackles (Tyler Davis, Nyles Pinckney). There’s also a pair of highly-regarded DL recruits ready to put their stamp on the defense (Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee), and overall, we’re REALLY excited about the potential for this group to dominate <grabs popcorn>. The linebacker unit returns a killer in the middle in senior James Skalski who was second on the team in tackles a season ago. The Tigers’ phenomenal secondary lost three starters (!) to the NFL but still boasts fine talent and should be able to take advantage of a premier defensive line.

The Tigers lose four of their top-five tacklers and a lot of NFL-caliber talent. The good news? The defensive line is one of the best in college football and we expect a top-10 performance in terms of PPG and YPG allowed in 2020.

SPECIAL TEAMS

FG kicker B.T. Potter was NAILS from long distance last year (3/3 from 50+) but he drove the coaching staff crazy with his inconsistency (13/21 overall). It’s not inconceivable that he could cost Clemson a close game BUT we know by now that the Tigers rarely get involved in those types of affairs. Senior punter Will Spiers is very reliable (42.3) and the return game should be in fine shape given the athletes that reside on the roster.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – We’re still awaiting the announcement of the non-conference CANNON FODDER and our ACC INSIDERS suspect that it will be The Citadel. They had to swap out NC State and Louisville for Miami, Pitt, and Virginia Tech in ACC play. Three of their last four games are ON THE HIGHWAY vs difficult opponents (Notre Dame, Florida St, Virginia Tech).

<update – The Citadel is indeed, the CANNON FODDER.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Pittsburgh (November 28th)

This home game is sandwiched between road games with the Seminoles and Hokies and recall that the wacky Panthers were able to SHOCK THE WORLD in 2016 when they came into Death Valley and bagged a 43-42 win. Probably won’t be keen to lay double digits in this one.

Season Win Total

Over 10.5 -125

Under 10.5 +105

MEGALOCKS says:

Our quote from the summer – “It might come out in the neighborhood of Over 9 -125, Under 9 +105.” <assumed 10 games>

Update – We won’t be playing this market. Lean to the under as you cash if they slip up once. Not impossible.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Travis Etienne is Clemson’s all-time leading rusher (4,038) and still has another season in the on-deck circle.

MEGALOCKS Outlook:

Stop us if you have heard this before. Clemson is a legitimate National Title contender. Again. They’re almost certainly going to finish the season in the top-10 in scoring offense and scoring defense. The special teams look fine. The coaching is elite. The ACC doesn’t look like a complete TRASH HEAP like last year so they could slip up once along the way. We’ll call for a conference title and yet another trip to the College Football Playoff!

Want more Clemson football ?

WEBSITE

https://clemsontigers.com/sports/football/

FORUM

http://forums.theclemsoninsider.com/

http://www.tigernet.com/forums/post!default.jspa?forumID=1

https://clemson.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-west-zone.8/

http://clemson.247sports.com/Board/Clemson-Tigers-Football-Basketball-Message-Board-Forum-22

http://thetigerfanforum.com/forum/

NEWS

http://www.tigernet.com/football/

http://rubbingtherock.com/football/