CBS Sports college football analyst Chip Patterson makes a win-loss prediction for Clemson

USA Today

17 hours ago

CBS Sports' Chip Patterson has weighed in on how he thinks Clemson's upcoming season will shake out — and he sees another playoff run in the cards. Patterson predicts the Tigers will finish the regular season at 10-2 and secure a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. He sees Clemson handling its early slate, including a big season-opening win over LSU at home.
'I feel like I'm giving a worst-case scenario. I really do,' Patterson said. 'I've got the Tigers at 10-2. I think home field is going to be huge. They'll take care of LSU, roll through a manageable stretch, then get SMU at home.'
He projects Clemson to start 9-0 with wins over LSU, Troy, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, North Carolina, Boston College, SMU, Duke and Florida State. Patterson expects the Tigers to stumble late, taking losses at Louisville on November 14 and at South Carolina to close the regular season on November 29 — the same teams that gave the Tigers trouble in Death Valley last year.
'So, I'm going to hand them the loss [at Louisville],' Patterson said. 'I think Jeff Brohm and Louisville might just have Clemson's number. We saw the Cards get one of the more stunning road wins last year. And then I've got South Carolina pulling off the finale too. But that's still 7-1 in conference.'
Despite the projected hiccups, Patterson still sees Clemson claiming the ACC crown and heading back to the playoff with a chance to run the table when it matters. 'If they can stay healthy, they'll be one of the 12 teams that has the goods to win it all,' he said. 'So, back to the CFP — I say yes, just not with a spotless record.'
According to Patterson's projection, Clemson opens with LSU on August 30, then faces Troy on September 6, Georgia Tech on September 13, and Syracuse on September 20 before a break on September 27. The Tigers then hit the road to face North Carolina on October 4 and Boston College on October 11, return home for SMU on October 18, take another open date on October 25, then host Duke on November 1 and Florida State on November 8. They wrap up with the Friday game at Louisville on November 14, Furman at home on November 22, and the season finale at South Carolina on November 29.