The No. 8 Tigers are the trendy preseason pick to win the ACC title this season, and they will rely heavily on their explosive offense to do so. Dual-threat quarterback and early Heisman Trophy candidate Tajh Boyd presents a tricky matchup for opponents with his ability to burn defenses both on the ground and through the air. Boyd’s primary target in the Tiger aerial assault is 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who enters his junior year looking to regain his All-American form from 2011 after an injury-plagued sophomore season. Unlike last year, though, Watkins will be the primary focus of the defensive gameplan, following the departure of standout receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the NFL.
Clemson’s offensive firepower faces stiff competition both inside the ACC and in the nonconference, as the Tigers bookend their season with a pair of SEC foes—No. 5 Georgia Saturday night and in-state rival No. 6 South Carolina on Nov. 30.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.