Soft Schedule to Help Loaded Clemson Over 2018 Win Total
Don’t let the high win total scare you away from the Tigers. They’re one of the best teams (again) and get a very favorable schedule.
Clemson 2018 Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Over 11 Wins
Top Heisman Candidate: Trevor Lawrence +1600
Odds to Win ACC: Clemson: -180
Odds to Win National Championship: +300
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark your calendars — the
schedule is set!<br><br>Get <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#ALLIN</a>.<br><br>More details: <a href="https://t.co/YtBQ3WWkVj">https://t.co/YtBQ3WWkVj</a><br><br>Printable schedule <a href="https://t.co/C3GscGVZpy">pic.twitter.com/C3GscGVZpy</a></p>— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) <a href="
">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Offense:
It’s only a matter of time until freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence earns the starting job. Although, as long as Clemson’s regular season schedule is soft, it can still lean on experienced, senior quarterback, Kelly Bryant. Bryant is a dual-threat, who had double digit carries in nine regular season games and is always a threat on the ground. But in terms of passing, he ranked 70th in yards per attempt. He excelled at deep passes, achieving the ACC’s highest QB rating on passes attempted at least 20 yards downfield, and achieved superb numbers on short throws outside the numbers. But, his accuracy wavered on intermediate throws and he threw too many interceptions.
While Bryant is good enough, Lawrence could be even better thanks to his superiority in arm strength and accuracy. Despite his size (which NFL scouts will love), he also moves surprisingly well. He showed off his skill set in the Spring Game, which is why Coach Dabo Swinney has said that both quarterbacks will probably play this season.
The Clemson backs are thunder and lightning. As a freshman, Travis Etienne led Clemson with 7.2 yards per carry and achieved 766 yards without starting a game. He can tear through tackles, particularly when opponents try to hit him high. Although, he’s fast, too and he explodes through holes. He earned the third-highest average of yards after contact, per attempt, among returning FBS running backs. Etienne is complemented by Tavien Feaster, who achieved a 4.35 40-yard dash and, with his speed, is always a touchdown threat. Clemson’s offensive line ranked highly in power success rate and stuff rate. It returns 79 starts, including three starters.
At receiver, senior Hunter Renfrow returns. He led Clemson in receptions. He’ll be complemented by five-star recruits like sophomore Tee Higgins, who could begin making an impact late last season, sophomore four-star recruit Amari Rodgers, who has reportedly thrived in the offseason, and many others.
Defense:
Clemson’s pass rush ranked first in both adjusted sack rate and sack rate on standard downs and 14th in sack rate on passing downs. All four starters return from this defensive line, plus they add depth with two true freshmen and a previously injured lineman. Their most impressive feats were to hold Auburn to 0.9 yards per carry and Boston College to 2.9. The d-line is led by Christian Wilkins, who boasts strong agility despite weighing 304 pounds and is a workhorse in terms of snaps played and energy shown on the field. Dexter Lawrence was rated the second-best recruit in 2016 and was ACC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. His size allows him to eat up blockers and his agility enables his pursuit in the backfield. He achieved a record for Clemson freshman, five sacks. Austin Bryant added more depth to the line by turning down the NFL. He was second on the team with 8.5 sacks. Clelin Ferrell led with 9.5 sacks and is, with Bryant and Wilkins, Clemson's third All-American defensive lineman.
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" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
All of Clemson's linebackers return but one. They’re led by second-leading tackler and two-time All-ACC Kendall Joseph, who excels at play recognition and reacting quickly to the offense. Tre Lamar also distinguishes himself with his downhill attack and run-stopping ability and Isaiah Simmons with his coverage ability—which is also why he’ll occasionally contribute depth to the secondary at the safety position.
The secondary, which finished second in passing s&p, returns four with starting experience. The best defensive back is Trayvon Mullen, who is always ready to either attack downhill or drop back in coverage. He’s aggressive, but his recovery skills are amazing and when he’s initially fooled, he can still lock down the opposing receiver.
Schedule:
Clemson’s toughest two opponents will be Florida State and Texas A & M. A & M is rebuilding under its new head coach and defensive coordinator. Jimbo Fisher inherits players which he had not recruited, which were recruited for a scheme totally foreign to his pro-style offense. New defensive coordinator Mike Elko likewise gets only one game to work with his new unit before facing Clemson. The Aggies’ biggest questions are at quarterback, where competition for the starting job persists, and running back, which repeatedly struggled to achieve even three yards per carry against FBS opponents.
Florida State also has a new coaching staff, although it doesn’t face Clemson until later in October. One major adjustment FSU players will make is utilizing tempo—last season, FSU was bottom-ranked in the category, but Taggart likes to operate quickly. The Seminoles lost meaningful experience on defense, six of their seven leading tacklers. On offense, the offensive line returns four, but is a matter of „it can only go up from here,“ considering how low it ranked in run blocking and pass blocking. FSU will need to conjure much better protection against Clemson’s elite defensive line.
NC State, which loses significant production at running back and on the defense—at both defensive line and linebacker— won’t challenge Clemson as it did last year. In the past three years, Clemson is 6-2-1 ATS against ACC opponents when favored by less than double digits or as underdog and the one push came against the Wolfpack last season.
Don’t let the high win total scare you away from the Tigers. They’re one of the best teams (again) and get a very favorable schedule.
Clemson 2018 Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Over 11 Wins
Top Heisman Candidate: Trevor Lawrence +1600
Odds to Win ACC: Clemson: -180
Odds to Win National Championship: +300
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark your calendars — the
schedule is set!<br><br>Get <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#ALLIN</a>.<br><br>More details: <a href="https://t.co/YtBQ3WWkVj">https://t.co/YtBQ3WWkVj</a><br><br>Printable schedule <a href="https://t.co/C3GscGVZpy">pic.twitter.com/C3GscGVZpy</a></p>— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) <a href="
">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Offense:
It’s only a matter of time until freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence earns the starting job. Although, as long as Clemson’s regular season schedule is soft, it can still lean on experienced, senior quarterback, Kelly Bryant. Bryant is a dual-threat, who had double digit carries in nine regular season games and is always a threat on the ground. But in terms of passing, he ranked 70th in yards per attempt. He excelled at deep passes, achieving the ACC’s highest QB rating on passes attempted at least 20 yards downfield, and achieved superb numbers on short throws outside the numbers. But, his accuracy wavered on intermediate throws and he threw too many interceptions.
While Bryant is good enough, Lawrence could be even better thanks to his superiority in arm strength and accuracy. Despite his size (which NFL scouts will love), he also moves surprisingly well. He showed off his skill set in the Spring Game, which is why Coach Dabo Swinney has said that both quarterbacks will probably play this season.
The Clemson backs are thunder and lightning. As a freshman, Travis Etienne led Clemson with 7.2 yards per carry and achieved 766 yards without starting a game. He can tear through tackles, particularly when opponents try to hit him high. Although, he’s fast, too and he explodes through holes. He earned the third-highest average of yards after contact, per attempt, among returning FBS running backs. Etienne is complemented by Tavien Feaster, who achieved a 4.35 40-yard dash and, with his speed, is always a touchdown threat. Clemson’s offensive line ranked highly in power success rate and stuff rate. It returns 79 starts, including three starters.
At receiver, senior Hunter Renfrow returns. He led Clemson in receptions. He’ll be complemented by five-star recruits like sophomore Tee Higgins, who could begin making an impact late last season, sophomore four-star recruit Amari Rodgers, who has reportedly thrived in the offseason, and many others.
Defense:
Clemson’s pass rush ranked first in both adjusted sack rate and sack rate on standard downs and 14th in sack rate on passing downs. All four starters return from this defensive line, plus they add depth with two true freshmen and a previously injured lineman. Their most impressive feats were to hold Auburn to 0.9 yards per carry and Boston College to 2.9. The d-line is led by Christian Wilkins, who boasts strong agility despite weighing 304 pounds and is a workhorse in terms of snaps played and energy shown on the field. Dexter Lawrence was rated the second-best recruit in 2016 and was ACC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. His size allows him to eat up blockers and his agility enables his pursuit in the backfield. He achieved a record for Clemson freshman, five sacks. Austin Bryant added more depth to the line by turning down the NFL. He was second on the team with 8.5 sacks. Clelin Ferrell led with 9.5 sacks and is, with Bryant and Wilkins, Clemson's third All-American defensive lineman.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
All of Clemson's linebackers return but one. They’re led by second-leading tackler and two-time All-ACC Kendall Joseph, who excels at play recognition and reacting quickly to the offense. Tre Lamar also distinguishes himself with his downhill attack and run-stopping ability and Isaiah Simmons with his coverage ability—which is also why he’ll occasionally contribute depth to the secondary at the safety position.
The secondary, which finished second in passing s&p, returns four with starting experience. The best defensive back is Trayvon Mullen, who is always ready to either attack downhill or drop back in coverage. He’s aggressive, but his recovery skills are amazing and when he’s initially fooled, he can still lock down the opposing receiver.
Schedule:
Clemson’s toughest two opponents will be Florida State and Texas A & M. A & M is rebuilding under its new head coach and defensive coordinator. Jimbo Fisher inherits players which he had not recruited, which were recruited for a scheme totally foreign to his pro-style offense. New defensive coordinator Mike Elko likewise gets only one game to work with his new unit before facing Clemson. The Aggies’ biggest questions are at quarterback, where competition for the starting job persists, and running back, which repeatedly struggled to achieve even three yards per carry against FBS opponents.
Florida State also has a new coaching staff, although it doesn’t face Clemson until later in October. One major adjustment FSU players will make is utilizing tempo—last season, FSU was bottom-ranked in the category, but Taggart likes to operate quickly. The Seminoles lost meaningful experience on defense, six of their seven leading tacklers. On offense, the offensive line returns four, but is a matter of „it can only go up from here,“ considering how low it ranked in run blocking and pass blocking. FSU will need to conjure much better protection against Clemson’s elite defensive line.
NC State, which loses significant production at running back and on the defense—at both defensive line and linebacker— won’t challenge Clemson as it did last year. In the past three years, Clemson is 6-2-1 ATS against ACC opponents when favored by less than double digits or as underdog and the one push came against the Wolfpack last season.
discussion has been great. For now, I will be covering every Notre Dame game
