Tigers Today: Clemson listed among favorites for national title with spring practice set to begin

On3 imageby:Pete Nakos03/02/22

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Clemson listed among favorites for national title with spring practice set to begin

It was only four years ago Clemson delivered its second national championship of the College Football Playoff era. The Tigers last appearance in the game came in 2019, a blowout loss to LSU.

Still, they have continued to be a major player on the national college landscape. And while last year felt like a major step in the wrong direction, Clemson still finished 10-3 on the season. The Tigers did break their streak of ACC titles, however, something they will have to regain if they hope to truly contend in the playoff again.

Las Vegas oddsmakers believe Clemson is back in the mix this season. Vegas Insider has released updated college football national championship odds and gives the Tigers the fourth-best odds of securing the hardware next season with +1200 odds. They trail just Alabama (+208), Georgia (+291) and Ohio State (+550). They also lead USC and Texas A&M, which have +2833 odds.

Clemson kicks off spring practice Wednesday, and with it, their campaign back to the College Football Playoff.

Late homers lift Clemson past USC Upstate as Tigers remain unbeaten

Clemson’s offense has come up big when it has needed to so far in the 2022 season. That trend continued Tuesday evening against USC Upstate. 

The Tigers hit a pair of home runs in the eighth inning to rally past Upstate and earn an 8-5 victory at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The win improves Clemson to 8-0 on the year heading into this weekend’s rivalry series against South Carolina. Clemson has already earned sweeps over Indiana and Hartford so far in 2022.

Clemson is pressing the right buttons with elite 2023 RB Justice Haynes

The Tigers recently extended an offer to Cedric Baxter, but the top running back target in the Class of 2023 remains Justice Haynes.

The staff recently played host to him on campus for their Elite Junior Day event, one in which they knocked it out of the park. Haynes even went as far as to say that Dabo Swinney gave the greatest speech he’s ever heard from a coach.

Over the past few weeks, Haynes told Clemson Sports the focus has been on continuing to further his bond with C.J. Spiller.

Clemson spring preview: Where things stand with LBs entering spring

Spring practice begins Wednesday, and to get you ready, Clemson Sports is breaking down where things stand with each position group.

Thus far, we’ve looked at the quarterback and running back positions, the tight end and wide receiver battlesanalyzed the offensive line and looked at Clemson’s loaded defensive front. On Tuesday, Clemson Sports dove into the linebackers.

Clemson loses two starting linebackers in James Skalski and Baylon Spector but still has plenty of talent returning for new linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin to work with. 

Here is what you need to know.

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