5 reasons Clemson will repeat as national champions in 2017

The Clemson Tigers won the national title Monday evening. Here are five reasons they’ll repeat in 2017.

It’s been less than 24 hours since Clemson won the national title and people are already talking about next season. Since that seems to be the hot topic these days, it’s time for us to sneak a peak at the Tigers’ 2017 title odds.

While many are already talking about Alabama as the favorite in 2017, the Tigers will be back to contend for the crown again as well. Deshaun Watson will be headed to the NFL, but that doesn’t mean this team is done. Dabo Swinney has built Clemson into an elite program.

Clemson won’t rebuild in 2017. It will reload like the rest of college football’s elite. For that reason, let’s take a look at why the Tigers will repeat in 2017.

5. The pieces are already in place

Sure, Clemson is losing a ton of talent from this year’s team such as Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, but the pieces are in place for the Tigers to succeed next season. If you think there’s going to be a major drop-off because of the departures, you obviously haven’t followed the Tigers.

This team has gotten better each year for the past five and losing the national title game in 2015 only increased Clemson’s hunger heading into 2016. Now they’ve won the national title over a powerhouse like Alabama, the Tigers have to be the most confident team in the country.

Major pieces are leaving, but there’s youth on the defensive side of the ball and the replacements on offense may need just a couple of weeks to get used to college ball.

The pieces for the 2017 national title run are already in place and the Tigers will be the early favorites, along with Florida State, to win the ACC as well.