Predicting the first loss for every college football top 25 team

No. 5 Clemson Tigers: vs. Auburn, Sept. 9 

The defending champions have enough talent left over for a repeat playoff run, but replacing Deshaun Watson and a number of other key offensive pieces is going to be difficult with a brutal early season schedule.

After falling just short in the title game in 2015, Clemson withstood shaky wins over Auburn and Troy plus a shocking home loss to Pitt to finish the regular season at 11-1 and reach the College Football Playoff again.  The Tigers impressively shut out Ohio State 31-0 before taking down mighty Alabama in the dying seconds to win the program’s second national title.

Career backup Kelly Bryant will now take over for Watson, and the Tigers lose a bunch of production from the other skill positions including Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams and Jordan Leggett, although there is some intriguing young talent ready to step up. The good news is Clemson will have one of the best defensive fronts in the nation with the likes of Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence, and both the linebackers and secondary return multiple starters.

Running back Tavien Feaster and a few returning receivers like title game hero Hunter Renfrow will provide Kelly with some support, but Clemson has some major question marks on offense. Dabo Swinney will need to have things clicking in a hurry, as Clemson welcomes Auburn to Death Valley one week after its opener against Kent State.

With star right tackle Braden Smith leading the way, Auburn’s offensive line will be able to at least slow the Clemson rush, while Bryant could struggle in his second career start against a strong defense. Clemson still has the talent to beat any team on its schedule, and should be in the race for a New Year’s Six bowl unless Bryant really struggles.