Clemson football: Here are 3 impressive streaks the Tigers will try to extend in 2019
Can the Tigers continue to sweep September and win by 20 points?
Clemson football: Here are 3 impressive streaks the Tigers will try to extend in 2019 Can the Tigers continue to sweep September and win by 20 points? Check out this story on greenvilleonline.com: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2019/05/28/clemson-football-3-impressive-streaks-tigers-try-extend/1244490001/
Kelly Gramlich, Special to Orange and White Published 9:52 a.m. ET May 28, 2019 | Updated 1:16 p.m. ET May 28, 2019
Are streaks really meant to be broken?
Of course, almost every streak of any kind in the athletic world must come to an end at some point. But, in Clemson, South Carolina, maybe a few incredible streaks do not have to end just yet.
And let's be clear, I'm not referring to the obvious streaks that Clemson is looking to continue this coming season – 10-win campaigns, ACC titles, beating South Carolina, reaching the College Football Playoff. Everyone knows about those marks. In this column, we are going off the beaten path.
Here are three unique streaks that Clemson will attempt to extend in 2019:
Thanks to late-game heroics by Chase Brice (7) Sept. 29, 2018, Clemson has won 18 consecutive September games. (Photo: Ken Ruinard / staff)
September success
The Clemson football team has not lost a game in September in nearly five years. The last time the Tigers lost a contest in the ninth month of the year was on Sept. 20, 2014, at Florida State, a game the Tigers had every chance to win.
Since that loss in Tallahassee, the Tigers have won 18 consecutive games played in September, including last year's contest against Syracuse, in which backup quarterback Chase Brice saved the day with his late-game heroics.
In 2019, the Tigers will face Texas A&M, Syracuse, Charlotte and North Carolina in September, and there's no doubt that they will be favored in every one of those matchups. However, the Tigers' two games against the Aggies and the Orange last season were decided by a combined six points. This September streak should continue considering Clemson gets to play Texas A&M at home this season and Syracuse will have to replace numerous pieces from last year's 10-win team.
Prediction: Clemson will not lose a game in September for the fifth consecutive season, extending their September win streak to 22.
The last time Clemson the sting of a loss in September was at Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sept. 20, 2014. (Photo: Staff file)
Clemson has exceeded its preseason rank in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll every season since 2011. Can the Tigers do that again this year? Well, this run relies on whether the nation's coaches view Clemson as the best team in the country before the season even begins.
Of course, if Clemson begins the year as the No. 1 team in the land, then there is no way for this streak to continue as they will not be able to finish the 2019 season with a better ranking than No. 1. If Alabama begins the year in the No. 1 spot, then this story line is back in play.
Prediction: The Tigers will begin 2019 as the preseason No. 1 team for the first time ever and therefore, this streak will come to an end.
Clemson linebacker Kendall Joseph (34) holds up the trophy after the Tigers beat Alabama 44-16 at the College Football Championship game, Clemson's 10th consecutive win by 20 or more points. (Photo: Ken Ruinard / staff)
20 points or more
Clemson enters the 2019 season riding one of the most impressive streaks in college football history. The Tigers have won 10 consecutive games by 20 or more points, which is tied for the second-longest streak in the AP Poll era (since 1936).
When Clemson beat Syracuse by four points at the end of September last season, that was the last time the Tigers won a game by less than 20 points. Can the Tigers possibly continue this run? Furthermore, can they beat every opponent this season by 20 or more points?
Prediction: This streak ends vs. Texas A&M on Sept. 7 in Death Valley. Clemson will win, just not by 20 points or more.
Kelly Gramlich can be heard from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on "Out of Bounds" with William Qualkinbush on WCCP 105.5 The Roar. Find her on Twitter (@kellygramlich).
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