2016 Preview: Clemson Tigers Poised for Another Playoff Run

Can Clemson repeat their college football playoff run in 2016?

The Clemson Tigers finished the 2015 season one win shy of the team’s first national championship since 1981. Along the way, Dabo Swinney’s team started 14-0, was ranked number one in the nation, won the ACC title, and hosted what the head coach called “the biggest pizza party ever.” Not bad for a team with first-year co-offensive coordinators and nine new starters on defense.

The season didn’t begin in any extraordinary fashion as the Tigers, ranked 12th in the Associated Press preseason poll, and beat up on the likes of Wofford and Appalachian State by a combined score of 90-20. This was followed by just a three-point win over a Louisville team which entered the game at 0-2.

After a bye week, Clemson garnered national attention for the first time as they took on Notre Dame in a battle between two undefeated teams.

Despite holding a 21-3 lead after three quarters, it took a failed two-point conversion attempt by the Fighting Irish to seal the deal in a rain-soaked contest. Quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled through the air, however Watson and running back Wayne Gallman rushed for a combined 204 yards. The Tigers would go on to cruise through the remainder of the regular season schedule.

One final conference win over North Carolina in the ACC title game would secure Clemson’s spot as the number one seed in the playoffs. For the second year in a row, Clemson would defeat Oklahoma in a bowl game, this time earning a berth in the National Championship Game.

While the title game didn’t go Clemson’s way, the Tigers will be returning 12 starters; none more important than Deshaun Watson. The dual-threat QB finished third in the Heisman voting last year and is the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. If Watson can build on his 2015 campaign, Clemson will once again contend for a championship.

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