South Carolina Gamecocks

Why Clemson can win the playoff: Dynamic offense can pour it on

Published Aug. 21, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

EDITOR'S NOTE: FOX Sports college football columnists Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman think a handful of teams have a legitimate shot at hoisting the College Football Playoff trophy this season. This week, they'll make a case for each of those squads.

CLEMSON TIGERS

1. What we like: Deshaun Watson is back for his sophomore season after a fantastic freshman year, where he accounted for 19 TDs (against just two INTs) and led the country in passer rating on third downs (179.85). Watson also has some serious firepower at his disposal in WRs Mike Williams and Artavis Scott (combined for almost 2,000 yards in receiving last year) to go with RB Wayne Gallman.

Also, keep an eye on Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud, a pair of dynamic freshmen. Junior tight end Jordan Leggett also has been impressive in camp.

On defense, Shaq Lawson should be one of the best D-linemen in the ACC, and the secondary has a lot of potential, sparked by CB Mackensie Alexander. Schedule-wise, Clemson has some tough tests: Notre Dame, Louisville, Georgia Tech, FSU and South Carolina. But only the games against the Cards and the Gamecocks (probably the two lesser talented teams of the five) are on the road.

2. What concerns us: As talented as the offense is, OC Chad Morris is gone, off to SMU. Morris was outstanding, and it's no lock that the Tigers won't miss his touch in orchestrating things. More problematic are the departures of several difference-makers on the defensive side of the ball, most notably pass-rushing terror Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett, the guy who dominated the middle of the D.

3. What would the committee think? The ACC's rep is probably the weakest of the Power 5 conferences, and that leaves Clemson without too much margin for error. But playing Notre Dame and South Carolina (on the road) is commendable. And there is a decent shot the Tigers could have four, perhaps five ranked opponents on their regular-season schedule, which actually could hold up pretty well.