The mantle has been passed in the ACC. For the past few seasons, the team to beat has been the Clemson Tigers. Clemson has won three straight ACC Championships, and the Tigers proved that their success wasn’t just the result of Deshaun Watson last season. They are the favorites to win the conference in 2018 and are looking to become the first team to win four straight conference titles since Florida State did it in the mid-1990s.
Clemson 2018 regular season win total
Over 10.5 (-115)
Under 10.5 (-115)
Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
What Happened Last Year
Many expected Clemson to take a step back last season. Watson left campus as the best quarterback in school history, and it seemed natural that there would be regression.
However, new quarterback Kelly Bryant was able to provide enough production to buoy an incredible defense. The Tigers had one of the best defenses in the country, allowing 13.6 PPG, and the front seven was one of the toughest to run on. Clemson allowed just 3.1 yards per carry in 2017.
What Will Change This Year
Clemson received some great news this off-season when DLs Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins announced that they were returning to school. Both were seen as locks to be selected in the NFL Draft, with Wilkins potentially being a first-round pick. Getting both players to come back to team up with Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell one more time will make this the best defensive line in the country once again.
The rest of the defense should be stout too. In all, nine starters return from last year’s squad, although they did lose Butkus Award finalist Dorian O’Daniel to the NFL. Isaiah Simmons will be taking over for O’Daniel in the role of nickel/SAM linebacker.
On offense, the Tigers will be losing two of their playmakers in Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud. Both Cain and McCloud were taken in the NFL Draft, but Hunter Renfrow does return to pace Clemson’s wide receivers.
Coming out of spring, Kelly Bryant is still the Tigers’ No. 1 quarterback. However, there are many who want to see five-star recruit Trevor Lawrence take over the job. Lawrence was one of the highest-rated quarterbacks ever coming out of high school, and he ended up setting numerous prep records in Georgia. Bryant had some troubles as a passer last year, but his ability to tuck it and run gives him the mobility edge. If he struggles, don’t be surprised if Dabo Swinney puts in Lawrence though.
Outlook & Prediction
The Tigers have the most talent in the ACC, and they have less questions than any other team. It’s tough to see any other team in the ACC Atlantic rivaling them, although they do have a tough three-game stretch starting at the end of October. Clemson plays North Carolina State (at home), Florida State (away), and Louisville (at home) in consecutive weeks. Going unbeaten during that stretch will almost certainly give them the division title.
The winner of the ACC Atlantic has gone on to win the ACC Championship seven straight times. An ACC title would probably mean that Clemson will be making its fourth straight trip to the College Football Playoff. Given their schedule and their talent, Clemson should be able to accomplish that feat.
