This season has been a wild ride. From losing to Lousiville to watching the football fly through the uprights as time expired against SMU to put Clemson in the College Football Playoffs, Tiger fans have gotten their money's worth. But the ride could end with a loss to Texas in the first round.
However, former Longhorn and current ESPN analyst is confident in what the Tigers will bring to Austin. “They’ve gotten better,” Acho said during ESPN’s Championship Drive. Indeed, Clemson's start to the season was embarrassing, with a 34-3 loss in Atlanta, despite going into the locker room down 6-0. Through the season, the Tigers took their frustrations out on their next five opponents, averaging 48.5 points a game.
Acho cites the development of younger players like TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr., who have blossomed into great options for quarterback Cade Klubnik. It also takes the pressure off Clemson's leading receiver, Antonio Williams. Kulbnik has improved as well. He's already recorded 458 yards more than last season, bumping his average from 218 YPG to 253 YPG. But in addition to his passing game, Klubnik has found success with his legs, running for 458 yards this season.
As an 11-point underdog, it was a surprising pick for Acho, but he didn't stop there. He predicted the Tigers to pull off not one but two more upsets to take home the national championship trophy. After beating Texas and Arizona State, Clemson beats No. 1 Oregon in the semifinals and avenges its loss to Georgia in the championship game in Acho's CFP bracket. “They snuck into the playoff, but Clemson is talented,” said Acho. “This team can pull off upsets and surprise everyone.