Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, including an Orange Bowl win over Ohio State, Clemson feels like they have turned the corner with their program. While it may be difficult to replicate an 11 win season after losing Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, and others, there is still enough talent to challenge for a spot in a major bowl game. Major overhauls at the offensive skill position should be eased due to recent recruiting successes, while the defense returns some major talent, primarily Vic Beasley. The goal this season for Dabo Swinney's program will be to continue the heightened successes of years past.
Offense
With Boyd gone, the Tigers lose an ACC record holder and team captain. Thankfully for offensive coordinator Chad Morris, he has a senior and a five start freshman as his options entering this year. While they are the only two options, both Cole Stoudt and Deshaun Watson can keep the Tigers offense humming. Stoudt, the senior, is the favorite to start after completing 47 of 59 passes for five touchdowns in brief outings as a junior. He should be a fine replacement and possibly challenge for one of the all conference teams. Watson is perhaps the top quarterback recruit in the country, and will certainly challenge for the starting spot.
An underrated loss from the 2013 team could be running back Roderick McDowell. The departed senior ran for over 1000 yards, and allowed the offense to have some balance to their explosive passing attack. It appears that they job of replacing McDowell will fall to a committee of backs. Junior Zac Brooks stands perhaps the best chance of taking the lead, but senior D.J. Howard and redshirt freshman Wayne Gallman will take some of the burden as well. An incoming trio of freshmen will hope to steal some carries, with highly regarded Adam Choice the most likely to enter the rotation.
Yet another skill position that needs to be revamped is wide receiver. Losing the electric Watkins and Bryant is an almost impossible amount of production to reproduce, but there is young talent (popular refrain with Clemson lately). Senior Adam Humphries is the main returning producer with 41 receptions for a pair of touchdowns last season. Junior Charone Peake and sophomore Mike Williams combined for 28 catches last season, but should see that number at least double. Out of four incoming freshmen, at least two or three should play extensively. Artavis Scott and Demarre Kitt are the marquee names, while Kyrin Priester should physically be ready after a prep year. At tight end, the Tigers return starter Stanton Seckinger and big play threat Jordan Leggett, who combined for 33 catches and six touchdowns.
Clemson returns the three interior starters on the offensive line, consisting of two seniors and a junior. While David Beasley, Ryan Norton, and Kalon Davis are not racking up preseason accolades, it will help to have that experience on arguably the most important unit of a football team. Two high ceiling juniors should start at tackle in Isaiah Battle and Shaq Anthony.
Defense 
Oddly enough, the defense could be the strength of a Clemson team under Dabo Swinney. In reality, they were quite good in 2013, finishing 25th in the nation in total defense and 24th in scoring defense. Getting probable first round pick Vic Beasley (13 sacks) back at defensive end was absolutely huge for defensive coordinator Brent Venables. He will bookend with fellow senior Corey Crawford to form one of the best pairs of ends in the country. Senior Grady Jarrett was a revelation at tackle last season and will have help inside with a pair of seniors in Deshawn Williams and Josh Watson as well as junior D.J. Reader.
Linebacker is another defensive unit that is loaded with talent and experience. Seniors Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward were both five star talents coming in to Clemson, but Anthony is the one that has really loved up to the billing at middle linebacker. His 131 tackles last season easily leads the returners. Junior Travis Blanks is a very athletic option at the other linebacker spot, and should improve with another year of extensive playing time. Junior Michigan transfer Kellen Jones and sophomore Ben Boulware and T.J. Burrell will provide backup at the three positions.
The defensive backfield is more of a mixed bag than the front seven. Senior safety Robert Smith is the lone returning starter, but sophomore safety Jayron Kearse had four interceptions in part time duty as a freshman. Sophomores Korrin Wiggins, Ronald Geohaghan, and Jadar Johnson will compete for playing time behind them. At corner, the leading candidates for playing time consist of two seniors, and two redshirt freshmen. The likely starters are Martin Jenkins and star recruit Mackensie Alexander, who redshirted last season. Senior Garry Peters and freshman Marcus Edmond will provide cover and competition.
Special Teams
Clemson must replace one of the best kickers in school history in Chandler Catanzaro, who was 13-14 on field goals in his final year. They will attempt to do so with junior kicker Ammon Lakip. At punter, junior Bradley Pinion has a strong leg, and should help the Tigers consistently win the field position battle. Who will return kickoffs is up in the air, but will likely be one of the many talented underclassmen who litter the roster. Adam Humphries is the likely punt returner.
Schedule
Clemson consistently has one of the tougher non-conference schedules in the ACC, and this year will be no different. A trip to Georgia, and a home date with rival South Carolina to bookend the season, is not the envy of fellow conference schools. The Tigers have countered those challenges with home games against South Carolina State and Georgia State. In conference play, they will play host to North Carolina, NC State, Louisville, and Syracuse. Trips to Florida State, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech fill out the ACC slate.
Prediction
Clemson will almost certainly take a step back from their BCS bowl game winning season of 2013, How big of a step that is depends on the success of Stoudt and the skill position replacements. With the talent coming in, the Tigers should still finish second in the Atlantic. The defense is good enough to carry the team while the offense finds its footing. Georgia is likely too strong to beat on the road, and Clemson always struggles with the Gamecocks, but a seven win conference season is highly possible. A 9-3 record, and a major bowl game, are attainable goals for the program, and the likely result.
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