Why Hunter Renfrow expects Clemson to beat LSU in the CFP National Championship Game
There’s no doubt in Hunter Renfrow’s mind about who will win Monday’s national championship between Clemson and LSU.
Renfrow was part of Clemson’s last two national championships and will be in attendance Monday at the Superdome, where he expects his Tigers to add another one.
The Tigers are playing in their fourth championship in five years, and that experience, Renfrow said, will pay off.
“It’s going to be a close game,” Renfrow said. “I think it’s similar to last year, a lot of people think this LSU team is unbeatable. I think the experience we have of playing in it, I think helps us. And just the confidence of winning 29 straight will help us as well.”
LSU is making its first championship appearance since the 2011 BCS title game.
Renfrow, now a receiver for the Oakland Raiders, has been in New Orleans for the past couple of days on behalf of Panini America, meeting with fans and signing autographed Panini America cards after wrapping up his rookie season in the NFL last month.
He also spent some time in Clemson after the NFL regular season ended and liked what he saw from the Tiger’s preparation for the title game.
“When it comes to Xs and Os, our defense is top notch. Coach (Brent) Venables does a great job. I think we’re gonna be able to out-scheme them,” Renfrow said. “I think K’Von Wallace will have a good game. Just from going against him every day in practice, he just seems to show up in big games, make big plays. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a strip today and forces a fumble.”
Renfrow also expects Clemson’s offense to have a big day, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The sophomore has passed for 3,431 yards and 36 touchdowns this season, and he accounted for three scores in Clemson’s win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
“He’s made it look easy, hasn’t he? He’s made it look so easy,” Renfrow said. “He’s just a gamer. You saw that against Ohio State when he got the targeting call and he got back up and said, ‘All right, let’s go.’ He got upset and said, ‘All right, let’s win this thing.’ And they did that. They dominated from there on after. He’s a baller and I think that’s going to help them.”
Lawrence has plenty of quality receivers to throw to in Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and Amari Rodgers, and after all three were held under 50 yards against Ohio State, Renfrow expects them to bounce back.
“I think they’re going to have an incredible game, because they seem to show up in these big games,” Renfrow said. “I think Trevor’s going to do a great job of getting the ball off, the line’s going to protect well and we’re going to take some shots.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2020 at 12:48 PM.
