If you’re a college football fan and betting enthusiast that is fired up about the quickly-approaching 2019 season and you’re wondering whether or not the defending national champion Clemson Tigers are going to repeat coming season, then you’re in luck. Thanks to the expert betting analysis and information that you’re about to get on the ACC national championship favorites, you’re going to have a great idea of just what to expect out of Dabo Swinney’s perennial powerhouse in 2019. Let’s get started.
Clemson Tigers 2019 College Football Season Betting Guide
Betting Statistics
- ATS: 15-0 (W-L) / 9-6-0 (ATS) / 3-5-0 (Home) / 6-1-0 (Away) / 6-6-0 (Grass) / 3-0-0 (Turf)
- O/U: 7-8-0 (W-L) / 2-6-0 (Home) / 5-2-0 (Away) / 6-6-0 (Grass) / 1-2-0 (Turf) / 57.4 (Total)
Clemson unfurled a perfect 15-0 mark a year ago while throttling Alabama 44-16 in a shocking national championship matchup that was basically over by the time the teams went into the half with Clemson up 31-16. Clemson also posted an encouraging 9-6 ATS mark last season while going a near-perfect 6-1 ATS on the road. When it came to the Over/Under total, the Tigers played under the total six times at home and over the total five times on the road.
2018 Team Leaders
- Touchdowns: Travis Etienne (26)
- Rushing: Travis Etienne (1658)
- Passing: Trevor Lawrence (3280)
- Receiving: Justyn Ross (1000)
- Interceptions: A.J. Terrell (3)
Elusive junior running back Travis Etienne had a fantastic campaign a year ago by posting a team-high 26 touchdowns and team-high 1,658 rushing yards. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence was phenomenal as a true freshman by completing 65.1 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,280 yards with 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Tigers also have another young sophomore star in wide receiver Justyn Ross by hauling in 46 passes for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior cornerback A.J. Terrell led the team in interceptions with three, but the best news is that Clemson will have all of their 2018 team leaders back for the coming campaign.
Offense
- Total Yards: 527.2 / Rank 3
- Passing Yards: 279 / Rank 23
- Rushing Yards: 248.2 /Rank 10
- Points Scored: 44.3 / Rank 3
- Field Goal %: 66.7 / Rank 95
The Tigers finished the 2018 campaign ranked a stellar fourth overall and even more impressive third in scoring while finishing 23rd in passing and 10th in rushing.
Defense
- Total Yards: 292 / Rank 6
- Passing Yards: 189.6 / Rank 24
- Rushing Yards: 102.4 /Rank 5
- Points Allowed: 13.1 / Rank 1
- Field Goal %: 76.5 / Rank 81
On the other side of the ball, Clemson finished a stellar sixth in total defense mostly because they ranked a fantastic fifth against the run while finishing first overall in fewest points allowed. The bad news is that the Tigers lost defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, cornerback Trayvon Mullen, defensive end Clelin Ferrell and linebacker Tre Lamar, who all left early for the NFL. Senior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, defensive end Austin Bryant and linebacker Kendall Joseph are also gone after using up all of their eligibility.
Outlook
I know Clemson lost a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but the Tigers get a ton of elite high school talent each and every year and Dabo Swinney has been able to send a lot of defensive stars on to the NFL, so I expect him to find suitable replacements for all of his departed players from a year ago.
More importantly, Clemson ha an absolute superstar in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two more in running back Travis Etienne and Justyn Ross, who torched Alabama for six catches for 153 yards and one score in the national championship.
Clemson finished fourth in scoring (44.3 ppg) last season and they just have too much talent on the offensive side of the ball for that figure to drop off much, if at all, in 2019. When it comes to defense, I’ve got to believe that, Clemson’s defense is going to take a very slight step backwards as Swinney incorporates a handful of new starters into the lineup. Still, after leading the nation in fewest points allowed, I’m expecting the Tigers to again, be right around the nation’s top defensive teams.
Clemson suffered one ACC loss in 2016 and 2017 before running the table last season. I’m expecting the Tigers to go undefeated at home again in 2019 (7-0) while road dates at Syracuse, North Carolina, Louisville, NC State and South Carolina don’t look like overly challenging. Another perfect season looks like it very well could happen for Clemson in 2019. Expect the Tigers to reach the College Football Playoff again!
