By Robert MacRae, Hale McGranahan, Ed McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush.

The  TCI staff of Ed McGranahan, Hale McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Robert MacRae go Around the Horn to answer some of the questions surrounding Clemson athletics and college football.

What are the chances that Clemson runs the table and wins the remaining nine games?

Robert MacRae:  “Before the season I predicted the Tigers to finish 10-2 with losses to Georgia and Florida State.  After the Tigers impressive performance Saturday there is certainly no reason to change that prediction.  Clemson is certainly more talented than any team remaining on the schedule, and yes that includes South Carolina.  The Tigers defense is playing at a high level the last two weeks and now the wait for DeShaun Watson to start is over.  Watson will allow the offense to reach a new level with his talents.  The Tigers will finish 10-2 and head back to the Orange Bowl.“

William Qualkinbush:  “The short answer is that the Tigers will most likely be favored in all nine remaining games. The jolt Deshaun Watson’s anointing as starter has provided is exactly the type of thing that keeps a team and fan base energized throughout a long, grinding season. Games at Boston College and Georgia Tech are tricky, but the matchups don’t exactly scream ‘Upset Alert’. This is a program that doesn’t play to the level of its competition anymore. If it’s about Clemson, which the coaches will preach until the players’ ears bleed, it’ll be 8 straight wins until the Gamecocks come to town. I’ve seen nothing in the first month of play to convince me Clemson isn’t better.“

Will Vandervort:  “Yes it can. As it pertains to the rest of the ACC schedule, the Tigers have far more superior athletes than anyone else outside of Florida State. If Clemson was playing at Louisville, then I might be a little more hesitant. But considering that game will be in the friendly confines of Death Valley, where the Tigers are 19-3 against ACC competition under head coach Dabo Swinney, I feel confident they will win that game. Boston College can give them some trouble in Chestnut Hill and the Tigers have not won at Georgia Tech since running backs coach Tony Elliott caught a touchdown pass from Charlie Whitehurst in the 2003 game. But Clemson is better than both teams and talent should prevail in the end. As for the South Carolina game, as long as Deshaun Watson is the quarterback and the defense is playing the way it has been, then yes, the Tigers will end their five-game losing streak to the Gamecocks.”

Hale McGranahan:  “To me, there are three games that stand between Clemson and running the table: Boston College, Georgia Tech and South Carolina. Had Louisville not lost at Virginia, I’d probably throw that game in there too. But B.C. takes that spot because of what they did to USC. Even though this is the first time in a long time I think Clemson has a better defense than South Carolina, I’m not sure I can pick the Tigers to win, not while this streak is still alive. ”

Ed McGranahan: “There’s a feeling I’ve sensed among fans that sets them up for huge disappointment, the idea that now Deshaun Watson has been anointed all will be right in the world. The notion that Clemson should be able to run the table isn’t without merit, but the reality is there are still unresolved issues.

By my count, Clemson could lose three more games this season, and a 7-5 ride isn’t what folks were anticipating with a great defense.

Until everything has been ironed out on the offensive line and Clemson’s run game begins to click, it’s going to be difficult for Watson to grow. These next two games should help his self-confidence, but defenses will begin to stack the box and force him to make plays. Prior to South Carolina, it should become most evident are games with Louisville, Boston College and Georgia Tech.

As Swinney pointed out this week, the most impressive part of Watson’s game has been his maturity on big stages, but in time he’s very likely to make some freshman mistakes, particularly if a defense throws a coverage at him he hasn’t seen or they begin to mix their stunts and blitzes.

Now, having said that, there’s not a team remaining on the schedule Clemson cannot beat. The likelihood is improbable.”