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CFB Week 1 Picks: Clemson Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers 9/3/16

On the ensuing drive, Clemson quarterback Watson squeezed forward on a third-and-one play to keep possession; two snaps later, receiver Mike Williams hauled in a back-shoulder catch along the sideline for 20 yards, followed by a 20-yard scamper by tailback Wayne Gallman.

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Yet the most popular interview past midnight at Jordan-Hare Stadium was Venables, addressing how the defense saved Clemson’s playoff chances.

The Clemson Tigers started the season off with a victory on the road in a tough SEC environment. But Auburn would get one more shot to shock the Tigers after they got the ball back on downs after Clemson went for the fourth-down conversion on Auburn’s 15-yard line. That’s probably correct after they lost in the national title game to Alabama a season ago.

That late game situation put the pressure on a first year head coach in Sitake, who took over at his alma mater from now Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall.

First, all of Auburn’s SEC goals are still ahead of it. We’re too young, too untalented, and quite simply, just too disappointing in 2015 to put up any kind of fight against the mighty Clemson Tigers. “And you can’t ever come away from a win disappointed”.

DeShaun Watson is back for the Clemson Tigers. His 478-yard performance passing and rushing in the title game was almost enough to pull off the victory. The Tigers also return Artavis Scott, who is a great athletic receiver, who will get the ball in times of need for the Tigers. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables had a hunch they might and was so unfamiliar with the classic offense that he googled “How to stop the Wing-T” and watched a few videos online. “That is one of the best teams in college football, and holding those guys to 19 points was really unbelievable”.

Three-star defensive end prospect Robert Hicks re-opened up his recruitment Saturday morning by posting a message denouncing his commitment to Auburn’s 2018 recruiting class.

Armed with one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, will Clemson cover tonight as a favorite versus Auburn at 9:00PM ET?

If you merged all three quarterbacks together: White’s arm, Franklin’s legs and with Johnson’s size, you’d have Cam Newton – perhaps that’s what Malzahn was going for Saturday.

On the other-side of the of the ball, National Football League scouts will likely be paying close attention to Auburn defensive lineman Carl Lawson, who is looking to prove himself after being limited to just seven games last season due to injury.

In two years, Malzahn’s offense has gone from Nick Marshall/Cameron Artis-Payne to no running game. Do not be surprised if that number is surpassed this season. They hit a major obstacle before the season even started with the dismissal of starting running back Jovon Robinson. The second, by Ben Boulware, ended an Auburn drive at the Clemson 1-yard line.

Worth Noting, Part 2: Freshman defensive tackle Derrick Brown recovered a fumble in his first college game for AU. The Tigers have LSU coming to town September 24th.

Malzahn grew frustrated at the line of questioning as reporters asked for clarification about how the game plan developed and what went into his substitution pattern. It was the offense’s lowest scoring game of 2015.

Clemson led 19-6 after Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow for a 16-yard touchdown with 10 minutes left in the game.

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The point spread is pretty juicy. Turns out Malzahn ran the Wing-T, and some YouTube video from high school football actually helped Clemson prepare for that strategy. In the end, Clemson wins, but the bet is to take the Auburn Tigers +8 at BetOnline over the Clemson Tigers.

LOS ANGELES CA- SEPTEMBER 12 Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the USC Trojans watches his team during warmups for the game with the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum