2018 Recap: What a year 2018 was for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers. There was the continuous quarterback controversy between Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence. Dabo decided to make the change in season and go with Trevor and the rest was history. The team didn’t miss a beat and they clinched the ACC Atlantic once again, won the ACC conference title game and made it back to the playoffs for the fourth straight year. After handling business against Notre Dame in the playoffs, they got what everyone predicted. Alabama, Clemson. Take three. They absolutely dismantled the Crimson Tide in route to their second national title in three seasons.
Notable Losses: DT Dexter Lawrence, DE Clellin Ferrell, DT Christian Wilkins, DE Austin Bryant, DL Albert Huggins, LB Tre Lamar, LB Kendall Joseph & DB Trayvon Mullen.
2019 Outlook: They are the favorites to win the ACC once again and I like the Clemson Tigers to win this division once again. They’re just too strong in all three phases of the game. They push the ball down the field, they display balance, they have a good offensive line and although they’ve lost a bit on defense, I see Brent Venables regrouping and getting the best out of what he has on the roster. Trevor Lawrence begins the season under center for the defending champions. With running back Travis Etienne and a loaded group of wide receivers, their offense can be even better than what they were last season. That’s a scary thought to even process. I like this team to win 11 games. They have a tough stretch early. They face Texas A&M in Death Valley and a week later, they travel to upstate New York to face a team that has given them a difficult time in the Syracuse Orange.
