Clemson, Trevor Lawrence already front-runners for next national title, Heisman Trophy
If there’s any consolation to Clemson’s loss to LSU on Monday night, it’s that the ACC Tigers could very well be back in the national championship next season.
Westgate Sportsbook has already released its odds for 2020-21 — and Clemson is at the top. The Tigers are given 9/4 odds to take their second national title in three years, and third since 2016-17.
The Tigers are the favorite, followed by Ohio State (3-1), Alabama (6-1), Georgia (8-1) and LSU (8-1).
Reasons for continued success for Dabo Swinney’s program starts with the return of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The rising junior enters 2020 with a career record of 25-1. He’s the early Heisman Trophy favorite, according to sportsbetting.ag, ahead of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, Southern Cal quarterback Kedon Slovis and Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard.
Lawrence threw for 3,665 yards, 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a sophomore. Coming off his freshman year — which ended with a sterling performance in the national championship win over Alabama — Lawrence was the early favorite to win the 2019 Heisman. That honor, however, went to LSU’s Joe Burrow. Burrow, a departing senior, bested Lawrence on Monday with 521 total yards and six total scores.
“We’re going to be fine,” Lawrence said Monday after his streak of games with a touchdown pass ended at 24. “We’ll be back.”
ESPN has already released its “way-too-early Top 25” poll for next season. Clemson, which is guaranteed to return at least Lawrence and receiver Justyn Ross, is No. 1.
South Carolina has six teams in that poll on its 2020 schedule — No. 1 Clemson, No. 4 LSU, No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Florida, No. 11 Texas A&M and No. 25 Tennessee.
The next national championship game will be played Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami.
