By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Look out for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.

There is great excitement around Clemson football, and for good reason. The Tigers very well could be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot later this year. Here are five reasons to be optimistic about Clemson;

1. Deshaun Watson — The kid has the “it” factor. Though entering just his first full season as the clear starter for the Tigers, Watson has shown enough to be considered one of college football’s top quarterbacks and a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender. As a true freshman, he completed 68% of his passes, averaged 10.7 yards per attempt, threw 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Watson compiled a passer rating of 188.57, though he didn’t qualify for many ranking lists; for point of reference, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota led the nation with a figure of 181.75. Even in limited opportunities, it’s quite clear that Watson is special.

2. Momentum — Looking back back to last year, Clemson won key games against rival South Carolina and Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl by a combined score of 75-23. Since the Tigers’ disappointing overtime loss to Florida State in late September, Clemson won nine of ten games to finish with a flurry. The Tigers undoubtedly had one of the best performances of the postseason. Some of that success has to carry over and help build the confidence of an expected contender. There is considerable energy around Dabo Swinney and this program.

3. Defensive Attitude — Clemson, perhaps relatively quietly, plays tremendous defense. The Tigers, in fact, ranked number one in the country by holding opponents to just 260.8 yards per game in 2014. Obvious retooling must be done, see the loss of all-everything edge rusher Vic Beasley, but Clemson has plenty of young talent ready to step in. Coordinator Brent Venables has established a certain status quo. This unit will get after you.

4. Big Play Ability — Receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott give the Tigers one of the premier perimeter tandems in all of college football. Williams topped the 1,000-yard mark a year ago, while Scott, as a freshman, nearly did and caught eight touchdown passes as well. Deshaun Watson will have plenty of talented options by his side, as Clemson will have an incredibly-dynamic offensive unit this fall.

5. Schedule — With non-conference games against Notre Dame and South Carolina, and crossover contests with Georgia Tech and Miami, there shouldn’t be much criticism of the Tigers’ slate. Strength of schedule could become very important if resumes with others must be compared. Clemson gets the Fighting Irish, Yellow Jackets and Florida State all at home.