Clemson football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

The Clemson Tigers made it to their second straight championship game in 2019 but fell short of defending their title. Can they get back on top in 2020?

The Clemson Tigers 2019 season was almost perfect, literally and figuratively. The Tigers went 12-0 in the regular season and added win number 13 with a win over the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC Championship game, sending the Tigers to their fifth consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff. Ranked third in the final playoff rankings, the Tigers took on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Tigers would overcome a 16-0 deficit to advance to their second straight appearance in the title game, and fourth in five years. Unfortunately, the Clemson Tigers would go on to lose to the LSU Tigers in the national championship game.

And while it is championship or bust for the Tigers, there was still much to take away from their 2019 season. During Clemson’s title defense, the Tigers picked up their fifth consecutive ACC title, finished with 14-plus wins for the fourth time in five seasons, and their win over Ohio State tied them with Alabama for the most wins in the College Football Playoff (6).

While Trevor Lawrence was the face of the Tigers throughout the season, it was a few of his teammates who made a name for themselves and picked up some major accolades. Running back Travis Etienne was named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year, while linebacker Isaiah Simmons was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was given the Butkus Award, awarded to the top linebacker in college football.

But 2019 is now a thing in the past and the Clemson Tigers are ready to move forward and get back atop the college football world.