The No. 12 Tigers are the preseason favorite to win the ACC, looking to reclaim the conference crown for the first time since 2011, when Clemson blew out then-No. 3 Virginia Tech 38-10. After breaking his finger Oct. 11, 2014 against Louisville, quarterback Deshaun Watson is poised to return to action and has emerged as the preseason favorite to win ACC Player of the Year honors.
Watson is surrounded by weapons at wide receiver, with both Artavis Scott and Mike Williams returning after scampering for more than 950 yards each last season. Redshirt sophomore running back Wayne Gallman rushed for 769 yards in 2014 and is expected to take the majority of the carries.
The biggest questions facing Dabo Swinney’s squad are on defense. With former All-American defensive end Vic Beasley now playing for the Atlanta Falcons and defensive tackle D.J. Reader leaving the program temporarily for personal reasons, there is cause for concern up front. Luckily for the Tigers, junior Shaq Lawson has been a bright spot on the line and a solid secondary led by redshirt sophomore Mackensie Alexander—who started all 13 games in 2014 and recorded six pass break-ups—should make Clemson a well-rounded team that will likely find itself in Charlotte come December.
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