By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Tigers have all of the necessary pieces to make a return to the College Football Playoff.

The Clemson Tigers won a program-record 14 games on the way to the national title game against Alabama last year.

Led by ACC Player of the Year Deshaun Watson, the team made its first championship game appearance in over 30 years and became the leagues second team to participate in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers began the season ranked 12th and climbed all the way to No. 1 in the polls with notable wins against Notre Dame and Florida State. They defeated North Carolina to claim their 15th conference title and decisively beat Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Similar to last year, Clemson enters the new season with a heavy loss on the defensive side of the ball, losing seven starters on a unit that ranked 10th in the nation in total defense. The Tigers must replace the tandem of defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, who combined to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks, as well as three of starters in the secondary.

In 2015, they found themselves needing to replace eight starters, including two first round draft picks in defensive end Vic Beasley and linebacker Stephone Anthony. They do return emotional leader Ben Boulware at linebacker, who finished with 138 tackles last year to finish second on the team.

On offense, the Tigers are stacked with the return of Heisman Trophy finalist Watson at quarterback, Wayne Gallman at running back, who broke the schools single-season rushing record with 1,527 yards, and receivers Artavis Scott, who led the team in reception yards, and Hunter Renfrow. Mike Williams returns from a year-long injury.

The Tigers found great success last season with balance on both sides of the ball. They were only the team in the country to rank in the final top 25 in scoring offense and defense, total offense and defense, passing offense and defense, and rushing offense and defense.

Clemson enters 2016 as one of the top teams in the nation and as a squad with the great potential to return to the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. Theyll face some tough tests along the way including a season-opening matchup at Auburn, followed by a tricky Thursday night contest at Georgia Tech on Sept. 22. The Tigers have a bye the following week before facing Louisville in Death Valley and close out October at Florida State, with the winner most likely securing the ACC Atlantic Division title. It has become the marquee matchup in the conference. For the last seven seasons either Florida State or Clemson has represented the Atlantic Division in the ACC championship.

2016 Schedule

Sept. 3 at Auburn, 9 p.m. ET

Sept. 10 Troy, 12:30 p.m. ET

Sept. 17 S.C. State, Noon ET

Sept. 22 at Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. ET

Oct. 1 Louisville

Oct. 7 at Boston College, 7:30 p.m. ET

Oct. 15 NC State

Oct. 29 at Florida State

Nov. 5 Syracuse

Nov. 12 Pitt

Nov. 19 at Wake Forest

Nov. 26 South Carolina