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The Clemson Tigers odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship and Atlantic Coast Conference were at 2-1 and 25-1, respectively.
The return of ACC Player of the Year QB Tajh Boyd (3,896 pass yds, 36 TD, 13 INT) makes Clemson a legitimate National Championship contender. DeAndre Hopkins, the conference’s top wideout, is gone, but junior WR Sammy Watkins (708 rec. yds, 3 TD) returns to the nation’s sixth-best scoring offense (41.0 PPG). He is poised for a huge bounce-back campaign after his injury-plagued 2012 season, which began with a suspension after a drug arrest.
Senior RB Roderick McDowell (450 rush yds, 5 TD) replaces Andre Ellington as the team’s top back, but RBs D.J. Howard and Zac Brooks will also run behind a bullish O-Line. The Tigers defense has plenty of talent, especially up front with DE Vic Beasley (8 sacks) and LB Spencer Shuey (69 tackles) patrolling the middle. The one trouble spot is the secondary.
CLEMSON TIGERS
2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-2 (7-1 in ACC)
ATS Record: 9-4 (69%)
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 41.0 PPG
Points Allowed: 24.8 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 25/1
2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
