Best case scenario for Clemson football in 2016

Clemson was oh-so-close to winning its first national title since 1981 last year, but an Alabama onside kick and allowing a few big plays on defense and special teams kept the Tigers from doing so.

If the best case scenario for Clemson plays out this season, the Tigers will be back in the national title game and will come out on top in 2016.

The talent to make a run to the College Football Playoff is undoubtedly there.

Clemson’s offense has a chance to be one of the best of all-time, led by Deshaun Watson, who is the only player in FBS history to pass for more than 4,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season.

Watson put up those remarkable numbers thanks in part to a talented group of playmakers around him. The only valuable member of last year’s receiving corps who won’t be on this year’s team is Charone Peake, but in his place Clemson gets back Mike Williams. Williams led the Tigers in receiving in 2014 before being injured in the opener last year and missing the rest of the season.

Clemson also returns running back Wayne Gallman, who set the single-season school rushing record with 1,527 yards in 2015.

Defensively, there are some holes as the Tigers return only four starters, but Clemson has recruited well the past few years and has one of the best defensive coordinators in the country in Brent Venables.

Here is the best case scenario for Clemson in 2016:

1. Strong start

Clemson's defense makes an early statement with a strong opening performance at Auburn and Venables’ unit proves it has reloaded and will again be one of the best in the nation. Clemson’s offense does what it’s expected to do by putting up monster numbers and Clemson gets an impressive blowout win to open the season against an SEC school on the road.

2. Signature win

The Tigers continue to roll and are undefeated heading into the Oct. 29 showdown at Florida State. Clemson goes to Tallahassee and earns a victory in its biggest test of the regular season as Watson continues to make a case for the Heisman Trophy by leading the Tigers to a signature win in a tough environment.

3. Award haul

With an added 15 pounds of muscle and after finally getting a full offseason to work out without battling injuries, Watson gets through the season healthy and has his best year yet. The Georgia native collects several postseason awards, including the Heisman.

4. So many weapons

Williams bounces back from his neck injury and is healthy, once again serving as a dominant playmaker for the Tigers. Williams joins Artavis Scott, Deon Cain, Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and Gallman as proven playmakers ready to help Watson.

5. Happy ending

Clemson returns to the national title game and finishes the job. No special teams breakdowns or missed opportunities cost the Tigers this time around as Dabo Swinney brings Clemson its second national title.