By the Numbers:

Clemson returns the following, according to SB Nation’s Bill Connelly (@SBN_BillC ):

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 73% (45th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 75% (32nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 74% (28th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (101-30 at Clemson/All Time)

Trust the Process:

I’ll be using a standard format across all Chop’s Takes:

1. I’ll take a look at the above returning production (keeping in mind the evaluation of talent applicable to each ACC Program) and compare to each team they face on their schedule.
2. I’ll look at the opponent faced the week before, that game’s final score, and days passed before the current game being evaluated.
3. I’ll take a look at the opponent the ACC team faces after the present game, considering look-ahead games and rivalries, and days separating that game from the present.
4. I’ll weigh advantages of home versus away games for each game.
5. Where possible, I’ll take into consideration potential weather considerations (not Hurricanes or other natural disasters but rather seasonal conditions).

Clemson 2018 Football Schedule:

Furman (September 1st, 2018 at home)

• Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (8-5 at Furman/All Time)
• Previous Game: N/A
• Following Game: Elon (9/8/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

I’ll keep this brief: ACC teams SHOULD win their FCS match-ups. Not much needs to be said here. Clemson is a Playoff contender in 2018. Furman is an FCS program. Next.

Texas A&M (September 8th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 66% (70th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 78% (27th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 72% (35th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (0-0 at Texas A&M, 83-23 All Time)
• Previous Game: Northwestern State (9/1/18)
• Following Game: University of Louisiana-Monroe (9/15/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

No matter where you go Jimbo, there’s no escaping Dabo! Seriously, to think as an FSU alum and fan I’d be talking about Jimbo still about 2 months after he made College Station his new home leaves me feeling a bit conflicted. Jimbo, despite his more recent losses to Clemson, knows Dabo’s game better than most. Main difference here is Jimbo has a (mostly) different staff to back him, and the 12th Man legion cheering on the home team. Dabo also knows Jimbo well, and figures to put together another compelling game. These two men (almost) always keep their games close. I don’t see Clemson marching in to College Station and just waltzing out with a win. In fact, I can see this game being pretty tight. However the caliber of athletes that Dabo has at his disposal, as well as a more balanced turnaround in returning play-makers, leads me to believe Clemson will eek out a win in College Station, if barely. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Jimbo shocks College Football and beats Clemson to solidify his entry in the SEC and Texas A&M, I do have my doubts in the face of the dynasty that Dabo has (very clearly) put together at Clemson.

Georgia Southern (September 15th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 85% (12th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 95% (3rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 90% (3rd in FBS)
• Head Coach: Chad Lunsford (2-4 at Georgia Southern & All Time)
• Previous Game: UMass (9/8/18)
• Following Game: TBD

Prediction: Clemson WIN

This is a deceiving game: Georgia Southern should field a talented mid-major team, returning a vast majority of their starters. Unfortunately for Georgia Southern: Clemson is an elite FBS program that is also returning a significant portion of their offense. Dabo is also an elite coach, and Death Valley is no joke of a field to play. Despite a rough game versus Texas A&M the week before, I don’t anticipate Georgia Southern presenting much challenge to Clemson here.

Georgia Tech (September 22nd, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 66% (72nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 52% (108th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 59% (98th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Paul Johnson (75-54 at Georgia Tech, 182-93 All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: Pittsburgh (9/15/18)
• Following Game: Bowling Green (9/29/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

While this game is a rivalry match-up, at Georgia Tech, against the triple-option, Clemson has built itself into a program that can outpace an inexperienced (and not as talented) defense, while holding their own against the grind of the option attack. I expect a relatively fresh Clemson to come into this game ready, able, and easily handing Georgia Tech a loss.

Syracuse (September 29th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 59% (86th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 68% (53rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 63% (75th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Dino Babers (8-16 at Syracuse, 45-32 All Time)
• Previous Game: Connecticut (9/22/18)
• Following Game: Pittsburgh (10/6/18) [Rivalry]

Prediction: Clemson WIN

Clemson lost their match versus Syracuse last season. Clemson was also without their starting QB and playing at the Dome. Syracuse, this season, has rival Pitt to look forward to after the Clemson game. Syracuse travels to Death Valley. Syracuse returns less talent (and under-talented) players than Clemson. Clemson doesn’t have a look-ahead game. The only advantage I see for Syracuse is the possibility of Georgia Tech having worn-down the Clemson starting line-up. Otherwise, I don’t see much hope for the Orange-men. In fact, I expect a bloodbath.

Wake Forest (October 6th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 74% (43rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 69% (49th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 72% (37th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Dave Clawson (21-29 at Wake Forest, 111-109 All Time)
• Previous Game: Rice (9/29/18)
• Following Game: Florida State (10/20/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

This one should actually be a closer game than first anticipated. Home game for the Demon Deacons. A gimme the week before. A bye the week following. Dave Clawson is building a legacy at Wake Forest. I expect a fight. I also expect Clemson’s superior talent to shine through, outlasting a Wake Forest team seeking to pull the upset.

NC State (October 20th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 70% (56th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 35% (129th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 53% (112th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Dave Doeren (34-30 at NC State, 57-34 All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: Boston College (10/6/18)
• Following Game: Syracuse (10/27/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

Both teams are coming off byes. It is a rivalry game. However, NC State takes on Clemson at Death Valley. They don’t return a defense that can stop Clemson at Death Valley. Clemson will win, and enter the match-up versus Florida State undefeated.

Florida State (October 27th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 74% (41st in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 46% (120th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 60% (93rd in FBS)
• Head Coach: Willie Taggart (0-0 at FSU, 47-50 All Time)
• Previous Game: Wake Forest (10/20/18)
• Following Game: NC State (11/3/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

Florida State will always fight Clemson tough. I desperately want to call the upset, and hope for the best for Florida State. However the returning production from FSU versus what Clemson fields leads me to believe that Clemson, coming to Tallahassee, should beat Florida State handily. I can’t give this one to FSU. Clemson rolls.

Louisville (November 3rd, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 54% (102nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 38% (127th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 46% (124th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Bobby Petrino (75-27 at Louisville, 120-58 All Time)
• Previous Game: Wake Forest (10/27/18)
• Following Game: Syracuse (11/9/18 Friday Night)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

Good Lord, Louisville! Bobby Petrino is an excellent coach, no questions asked (yes I’m going to begin Louisville with this pretty much every post). Clemson will roll again here. This is near laughable, considering the game is also in Death Valley. Only hope for Louisville is FSU beating-up on Clemson. Can’t bet on that though.

Boston College (November 10th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 81% (23rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 65% (61st in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 73% (31st in FBS)
• Head Coach: Steve Addazio (31-33 at Boston College, 44-44 All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: Virginia Tech (11/3/18) [Rivalry]
• Following Game: Florida State (11/17/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

A rivalry game at Boston College. Boston College is poised for a strong 2018 season. However, Clemson won’t fail now, after all the previous hardships they’ve faced. Boston College will give Clemson a scare. But won’t have the talent to keep-up. Having a match-up versus Virginia Tech (another rivalry) the week below doesn’t help Boston College here. Facing Florida State after is messy, considering the wildly different Florida State team that Taggart will field.

Duke (November 17th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 82% (20th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 78% (25th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning 80% (11th in FBS)
• Head Coach: David Cutcliff (59-67 at Duke, 103-96 All Time)
• Previous Game: UNC (11/10/18) [Rivalry]
• Following Game: Wake Forest (11/24/18)

Prediction: Clemson WIN

If this game were being played at Duke, and Duke weren’t playing UNC the week before, I might pull the trigger here and call the upset. Unfortunately for Duke, that isn’t the case. UNC the week before. Playing at Death Valley. Duke is fielding a very talented roster, and looks to be my dark horse pick for the Coastal. But they won’t have this win under their belt. Sorry Blue Devils, Clemson will win.

South Carolina (November 24th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 84% (15th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 47% (119th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 65% (67th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Will Muschamp (15-11 at South Carolina, 43-32 All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: Chattanooga (11/17/18)
• Following Game: N/A

Prediction: Clemson WIN

A potential shoot-out, South Carolina looks to field a tough offense. Problem is: the defense is thin. This, too, is at Death Valley. I just don’t see it happening for the Gamecocks. Clemson finishes their season undefeated, and in the College Football Playoff.

My Predicted 2018 Regular Season Record for Clemson: 12-0 (8-0 ACC)

Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page