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3 reasons why Clemson will win the College Football Playoff

Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

With another ACC championship in hand, Clemson is back in the College Football Playoff, this time as the No. 2 seed.

The Tigers get Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, and here are three reasons they can win that game and the big one that follows:

Experience

Not only was Clemson in this tournament one year ago, but the Tigers come into this year's dance loaded at key positions with experienced players who won't be rattled by the bright lights of the Fiesta Bowl.

It starts with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who led this team to the national title game last year and took the Tigers to another ACC championship this year. Running back Wayne Gallman and receiver Mike Williams are among the other standouts who've been around the block a time or two.

The defense is a bit younger, but still has veteran leadership in Ben Boulware - arguably the best inside linebacker in the country - and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley. Don't forget the coaches, as Dabo Swinney has proven over and over again that he knows how to push the right buttons in big moments.

Defensive line

Clemson's secondary was a cause for concern down the stretch, but the defensive line remained one of the strongest in the nation. Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins, and Austin Bryant have done well to replace last year's stars, Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, yet newcomer Dexter Lawrence might be better than all of them.

Lawrence, a true freshman and former five-star prospect, has lived up to all the hype in his first season on campus. He registered a whopping seven sacks in the regular season while manning an interior position, and was equally as effective defending the run.

Clemson ranked 22nd in the FBS against the rush, in large part because of its line. As the old adage goes, if you can stop the run, you can win a lot of games.

Plays best in biggest games

Clemson had a number of close calls this season, yet always seemed to step up against its biggest competition.

Early-season grinders against Auburn - a team so confused it was using three quarterbacks at the time - as well as Troy, Georgia Tech and NC State were perplexing, but the Tigers looked championship-caliber against the likes of Louisville, Florida State, and Virginia Tech.

There's something about big games that brings out the best in these Tigers, and a Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State plus a potential national championship sounds pretty big.

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