JOHN MCCLAIN’S FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 The debut of rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson. He’ll come off the bench behind starter Tom Savage. There should be a lot of Clemson fans who travel to see him play for the first time because he ignited the Tigers to an upset victory over Alabama in the national championship game.

2 How much the starters will play, including defensive end J.J. Watt, who hasn’t been on the field since September. Coach Bill O’Brien said all healthy players will play, but he’s not sure how much. That means veterans like Watt, Brian Cushing and Johnathan Joseph may play only one series.

3 Rookie running back D’Onta Foreman’s first game. The third-round pick from Texas City and the University of Texas has made steady progress since training camp began. He was drafted to give the running game a productive one-two punch with Lamar Miller. The coaches are delighted with his improvement.

4 The offensive line. There are 11 players who have a chance to make the team, and that’s not counting holdout left tackle Duane Brown. Veteran Kendall Lamm and rookie Julién Davenport will be watched closely. When Brown returns, Lamm will be vying with Chris Clark for the right tackle job.

5 The competition between kickers Nick Novak and Ka’imi Fairbarin. Novak, who scored 127 points last season and missed only three field goals inside the 50, is going to be tough to beat out. Fairbarin, who spent his rookie year on injured reserve, has a strong right leg.