Congrats Clemson! But do you have staying power?

[Loam]

My hats off to Clemson, Watson, Dabo and their coaching staff.

However, I'm real curious if Clemson has any staying power as a National Title contender going forward or if they move back to the upper-middle of the ACC pack as a yearly 8 or 9 win team. Watson is the best QB Nick Saban's Alabama has ever faced IMO. So was Clemson simply riding Watson's coattails ala Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M or Cam Newton and Auburn? Or is Clemson the real deal and here to stay? One has to wonder if Watson leaving heralds in a bit of reality for Clemson. Its a good question.

Alabama will be back. But will Clemson? That is what I always ask myself when we lose a game (which is rare lol)

 

[BigBama]

I'll bite. Clemson is recruiting very very well and play a very attractive type of game to young HS players. When you have two players like Boulware and Renfrow making significant contributions they are developing players quite well too. I'm not sure what they look like after Watson but they will be very good again. Now that they have won the national championship you can expect them to be relevant for the next three years at least.

 

[LA4Bama]

They were good last year too. How much staying power would satisfy you? They aren't a dynasty but we no longer have to ask if they are a winning program because they clearly are.

 

[Loam]

Well, just because you win a National Championship doesn't necessarily mean you'll stay contenders/relevant for X amount of time. There have been some ones and dones before in the past. But I do think Clemson will remain good because they have had good teams there since Dabo's arrival. Will they remain National Title contenders though? That is the big question. Sometimes a team catches lightning in a bottle and I feel like this Clemson team did just that with Watson. So was Watson Clemson's Tim Tebow? Meaning will Clemson fall off the map now and just be a mediocre 7-8 win team going forward?

 

[Loam]

They were good last year too.

But were that good simply because of Watson? What will life after Watson be like?

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

They don't have the type of staying power Bama has but who does. I will say this though, without an all world QB they don't even sniff their own championship game. They are losing a lot off that team and the leadership they have will be leaving too.


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[JBama_in_PCOLA]

Delete

 

[CrimsonTider-n-SC]

They essentially have to win 1 (FSU) or 2 games a year and they are in the playoffs. Based on their recruiting the last few years they should be at the top of the ACC. So in theory they should be back?

However, they will experience a huge drop off without Watson. They have Hunter Johnson (2017) and Trevor Lawrence (2018) committed. However, QB ranking don't always equal success. Watson is a once in a lifetime player. Just look at UT without Vince Young and the barn without Cam. Did those two teams sustain the success after they left?

Also, how well do the players respond after winning the Title? Do they have the same hunger and drive? As many coaches have said it's harder to repeat than to win the first title.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Clemson had four consecutive 10-win seasons before Watson was the QB. I suspect Dabo has built the program to succeed long term...

 

[CrimsonTider-n-SC]

Clemson had four consecutive 10-win seasons before Watson was the QB. I suspect Dabo has built the program to succeed long term...

I agree he's built the program for long term success in the ACC. All he has to do is beat FSU and he's got a shot at the title.

 

[LA4Bama]

But were that good simply because of Watson? What will life after Watson be like?

They were good at a number of positions and they were well coached. Of course some regression when losing Watson but so what? They will probably lose to FSU next year but they aren't going to go in the tank like Texas or Notre Dame.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

But were that good simply because of Watson? What will life after Watson be like?

The same thing was said after Boyd left. As long as Dabo can keep the recruiting up they are here to stay.

 

[wishbonedays]

Congrats to Clemson...they earned it in my opinion.
Ready to turn the page and look forward to 2017

 

[CoachJeff]

They will not be in the CFP next year. They will be good, but they are going to be an underdog to even win their division the next few years.

 

[B1GTide]

Right about now, they don't care. They will be celebrating this win for a very long time - several seasons, I would guess.

 

[NationalTitles18]

Clemson had four consecutive 10-win seasons before Watson was the QB. I suspect Dabo has built the program to succeed long term...

I agree. We can put down Dabo all we want but he has brought that program to a place it has never been before.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Clemson will be good going forward but they won't dominate the ACC like we dominate the SEC. Clemson has to deal with Florida State and I think FSU will win it's share of ACC titles as well.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I agree he's built the program for long term success in the ACC. All he has to do is beat FSU and he's got a shot at the title.

The ACC was better than the SEC this year, and do you really think Clemson wouldn't be the best team in the SECE the last few years (and in the foreseeable future)?

Face it, Dabo's built a strong program.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Clemson will be good going forward but they won't dominate the ACC like we dominate the SEC. Clemson has to deal with Florida State and I think FSU will win it's share of ACC titles as well.

Possibly - as long as they have quite possibly the most over-rated coach in FBS Clemson will have the upper hand...

 

[Loam]

Its all going to depend on if they find themselves another elite QB.