Tigers chase fourth playoff semifinal bid
Clemson’s pursuit for back-to-back national championships was derailed by a familiar foe.
But after the Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama, Dabo Swinney vowed his Tigers would be back.
Clemson, the 2016 national champion, aims to reach its fourth consecutive College Football Playoff semifinals this season behind the nation’s best defensive line and two standout quarterbacks who can lead a high-powered offense.
The Tigers earned the No. 2 spot in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team. Clemson Dabo Swinney (101-30, entering 11th season; 101-30 overall)
12-2 overall, 7-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference; first in Atlantic Division
No Deshaun Watson? No problem. Kelly Bryant stepped in as starting quarterback and the Clemson offense seemingly did not miss a beat while its defense remained one of the best units in the country.
A quirky Friday night loss at Syracuse in October was an early blemish on Clemson’s record, but the Tigers won their remaining regularseason games, beat Miami in the ACC title game and earned a spot in their third straight College Football Playoff semifinals.
Clemson’s offense cooled significantly and the Tigers were ousted in the Sugar Bowl by Alabama, the team the Tigers beat to win the national title in 2016. 3
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LB Dorian O’Daniel, WR Deon Cain, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, OL Taylor Hearn, DB Van Smith, DB Ryan Carter, DB Marcus Edmond, DE Richard Yeargin.
QB Kelly Bryant, RB Travis Etienne, WR Hunter Renfrow, WR Tee Higgins, OL Mitch Hyatt, OL Justin Falcinelli, DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Dexter Lawrence, DT Christian Wilkins, DE Austin Bryant, LB Kendall Joseph, LB Tre Lamar, CB Trayvon Mullen.
It won’t be long before the players on Clemson’s defensive line play on Sundays, but for now, they plan on wreaking havoc on opposing offenses this season.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant and tackles Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins will be the driving force on Clemson’s elite defense.
Swinney also has two talented quarterbacks — returning starter Bryant and Trevor Lawrence, the nation’s top high school player last year. Running back Travis Etienne could be in for an All-ACC campaign, while reliable receiver Hunter Renfrow returns.
Clemson may not have a deep secondary and has concerns about its offensive line. The Tigers also have to replace standout players like linebacker Dorian O’Daniel, receiver Deon Cain, receiver Ray-Ray McCloud and defensive backs Van Smith, Ryan Carter and Marcus Edmond.
Clemson seems primed to win the ACC for the fourth consecutive year and could meet Alabama again for a national title.