Getty Images Christian Petersen

I’m still riding this bandwagon. Last year the Tigers, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, gave Alabama all it could handle in the national title game. It marked Dabo Swinney's program taking the next step in its rise to super-power status, and with the fantastic junior Watson back for another season, expect the Tigers to be even better on offense this year. He’s bulked up 15 pounds to better handle the workload they give him in big games, and he’ll get back Mike Williams, his most dynamic WR, who will team with Artavis Scott (93 catches last season) for a great tandem.There's also a more seasoned O line and tackle-breaking tailback Wayne Gallman. The defense does have a lot of holes, but I think Clemson will be more than fine up front with the emergence of budding star Christian Wilkins, a freakish 310-pounder, and keep an eye on 340-pound former five-star DT Dexter Lawrence. The secondary is more of a concern, but with Watson and the Tigers' offensive firepower, I think Clemson can overcome it.The schedule is bookended by a pair of SEC opponents -- at Auburn for the opener and then against arch-rival South Carolina -- but I don't see either as Top 25 material. The Tigers get Louisville at home, where Clemson has a 16-game home winning streak entering 2016, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The toughest test will be against a talented, fast FSU team on the road on Oct. 29, but Watson torched the Noles' D last year for over 100 yards rushing and almost 300 passing -- and last year he played even better on the road than he did in home games.Just Missed the Cut: Utah; San Diego State; Florida; Oklahoma State; Boise State; Pittsburgh; Penn State; Nebraska; Miami; BYU; Arkansas; USF; Appalachian State.