Fox Sports columnist picks Clemson to win ACC

Watson is currently #6 overall in ESPN's Heisman Watch

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Fri Aug 14 10:09:30 GMT-04:00 2015

Fox Sports senior writer Bruce Feldman released his latest article on Thursday and predicted that Clemson will win the ACC in 2015.

"The Tigers, with their budding star QB Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile , are my pick to win the Atlantic Division. All Watson did as a true freshman was put up a 14-2 TD-INT ratio and also run for five more touchdowns. The 6-3, 205-pounder had the best rating of any QB in the nation last year on third downs (179.85). He’s played on the road at FSU (Clemson lost in OT) and thumped arch-rival South Carolina. The Tigers did suffer a blow when OC Chad Morris took the SMU head coaching job, but the good news for Clemson is Watson also has the most firepower of any QB in the conference thanks to a pair of big-time wideouts in Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Jr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-4, 210
Vance, SC
View Full Profile and Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
So. Wide Receiver
#3 5-10, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile along with RB Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 205
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile . Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#78 6-4, 305
Hope Mills, NC
View Full Profile and strongman Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 285
Simpsonville, SC
View Full Profile (No. 20 on this year’s ‘Freaks’ list) will anchor the O-line."

Feldman thinks that the Tigers will be thin depth-wise on defense as they will need to rely on their experienced secondary.

"Defensively, the Tigers lost a bunch of studs to the NFL. DE Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
Jr. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile , though, does return and he should have a strong season. The Tigers were already lean on experience and suffered a blow when starting DB Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
Jr. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 195
Durham, NC
View Full Profile tore his ACL this week and is done for the season. That’ll mean even more pressure on big-talking CB Mackensie AlexanderMackensie Alexander
RS So. Cornerback
#2 5-10, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile and safety Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
Jr. Safety
#1 6-4, 210
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile ".

Feldman predicts Clemson to go 10-2 (6-2) and defeat Georgia Tech for the ACC championship.

The projected standings in the Atlantic division: Clemson 10-2 (6-2), Florida State 10-2 (6-2), Louisville 7-5 (5-3), North Carolina State 8-4 (4-4), Boston College 5-7 (3-5), Syracuse 4-8 (1-7) and Wake Forest 2-10 (0-8).

The projected standings in the Coastal division: Georgia Tech 9-3 (6-2), Viginia Tech 9-3 (6-2), Duke 8-4 (4-4), Miami 7-5 (4-4), North Carolina 7-5 (4-4), Pittsburgh 7-5 (4-4) and Virginia 5-7 (3-5).