College Football Futures: Head coach Dabo Swinney has brought the Clemson Tigers football to its highest level since the glory days of Danny Ford in the 1980’s but the Tigers have proven to still be a step behind the defending national champion and ACC Atlantic Division arch rival Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers have posted three consecutive double-digit win seasons and are coming off an Orange Bowl win over Ohio State but now face the daunting prospect of having to replace the departed record-setting QB Tajh Boyd and six other starters from an offense that averaged over 40 points per game the past two seasons. Clemson opened as a 66/1 choice to win the BCS national championship with an over under win total of nine.
Swinney Swings Upward
Dabo Swinney enters his seventh season as head coach with a program that has emerged as one of the best in the ACC. The problem is that Clemson is in the same division with defending national champion and perpetual powerhouse Florida State. Clemson’s game at Florida State on September 20 will be a huge barometer as to their ability to maintain their recent levels of success. The season opener at revenge-minded Georgia will also be a tough assignment.
Handicapper’s Notes
The Tigers have been a moderately good board value at home with 11 payouts in their last 20 games at Death Valley with just seven out of their last 18 home games going under the total. Clemson has paid out in 13 out of their last 20 away games with just seven out of their last 20 road games going over the total. Clemson has been a reliable betting favorite as a chalk with 11 payouts against the spread in their last 17 games when laying points as eight out of their last 15 games as a favorite have gone under the total. The Tigers have covered 10 out of their last 16 games against the spread as a dog with eight out of their last 12 games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
We admire Swinney’s progress and buildout but there are too many questions and not enough depth for the Tigers to overtake Florida State in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
