The Clemson Tigers proved themselves to be one of the best teams in the country last year, and were just minutes away from winning the school's second national championship. This year, they're determined to make it back to the playoff and claim that elusive title. Here's a game-by-game breakout of how we see their season playing out in 2016:
Week 1 - at Auburn Tigers
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
This game is just part of a huge opening weekend in college football, but there shouldn't be much drama. Clemson is clearly the better team and will prove it from the opening kickoff.
Week 2 - vs. Troy Trojans
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
This one doesn't need much of an explanation. Clemson wins big.
Week 3 - vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs
Prediction: WIN (3-0)
See above.
Week 4 - at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Prediction: WIN (4-0)
This game will be tricky. Georgia Tech is a much better team than they showed last year, and they'll be thinking upset at home during a Thursday night game. However, Clemson is more talented, and that will show in the fourth quarter of a close game.
Week 5 - vs. Louisville Cardinals
Prediction: WIN (5-0)
Many experts have pegged Louisville as a dark horse in the ACC race, and while I have them beating Florida State, they are not going to beat the Tigers in Death Valley. They just don't have enough experience.
Week 6 - at Boston College Eagles
Prediction: WIN (6-0)
BC has a very good defense. They also have the worst offense in the country. Clemson will win a low-scoring game.
Week 7 - vs. NC State Wolfpack
Prediction: WIN (7-0)
NC State will be breaking in a very young team this year, one that will struggle to make a bowl game. They simply don't have the horses to challenge the Tigers.
Week 8 - BYE
Week 9 - vs. Florida State Seminoles
Prediction: LOSS (7-1)
This is the game that will determine Clemson's season and if they can reach their College Football Playoff aspirations. It should be a toss up, but I give FSU the advantage because they'll be at home.
Week 10 - vs. Syracuse Orange
Prediction: WIN (8-1)
Syracuse is a middling team and should make a bowl game, but they lack the top-end talent they need to compete with Clemson.
Week 11 - vs. Pitt Panthers
Prediction: WIN (9-1)
Second-year Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi has quickly turned the Panthers into a very tough team in the ACC, but they lack the offensive weapons to keep pace on the scoreboard with Clemson.
Week 12 - at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Prediction: WIN (10-1)
Wake has been terrible the last few years. I don't expect this year to be any difference for them.
Week 13 - vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Prediction: WIN (11-1)
I expect this game to follow the same script as the past several years. South Carolina will be better under new head coach Will Muschamp, but with just nine returning starters, they're not even close to being on the same level as Clemson. Tigers win easily.
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