Stewart Mandel giving us an shot at National Title - Article
Jul 9, 2014, 10:26 AM
Last year’s BCS title game had the AP’s preseason No. 11 team, Florida State, vs. a team that did not get one vote, Auburn. Who could pull off either role this year? -- Jimmy Dugan, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Based on the early consensus among the preseason magazines, one candidate to fill Florida State’s from-outside-to-the-Top 10 role might be the Seminoles’ own division rival, Clemson. The Tigers, who finished 11-2 last season thanks to an Orange Bowl win over then 12-1 Ohio State, find themselves in much the same position that FSU did last preseason. Many expected the ‘Noles, themselves 12-2 and Orange Bowl champs the year before, to take a step back without first-round quarterback EJ Manuel and 10 other departed starters. It turned out they had an even better passer, Jameis Winston, waiting to take his turn and a whole bunch of quality veterans.
Similarly, one might assume the Tigers’ best days are behind them with the departure of three-year offensive standouts Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins. But as our old friend “anonymous NFL scout” told us during Boyd’s puzzling descent to sixth-round pick, coordinator Chad Morris deserves as much credit as anyone for Clemson’s explosive offense, and he’ll be working with a senior, Cole Stoudt, who has three years’ experience in the system. More notably, Clemson should have its most talented defense in years, led by All-American defensive end Vic Beasley. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has assembled four straight Top 15 recruiting classes and several of his most touted signees, like five-star linebacker Stephone Anthony, are now seniors.
Of course, to buy in on Clemson as a playoff contender one has to overlook the fact the Tigers lost 51-14 at home to Florida State last year and hasn’t beaten South Carolina since 2008. But hey, you asked for someone less obvious. And I can’t even take credit for this one. Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com already picked Clemson to win it all.