Auburn to face a very different Clemson in 8 months

Clemson knocked off Auburn 19-13 on the Plains in Week 1 of the 2016 season to kickstart its path to a national championship. When the teams face off again Sept. 9 at Clemson, there will be fresh faces at several key positions on both sides of the ball.

The biggest change is an obvious one. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, a Heisman Trophy finalist in each of the past two seasons, announced his plans to enter the NFL Draft shortly after guiding past Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday night. He is projected by some analysts to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Watson threw for 4,593 yards and 41 touchdowns with 17 interceptions this season with an additional 624 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Auburn managed to keep him check for most of the season opener, limiting him to 248 passing yards with one touchdowns and one interception and 21 rushing yards.

Clemson now enters the offseason with a quarterback battle on its hands. Returning backups Kelly Bryant and Zerrick Cooper will battle incoming five-star freshman Hunter Johnson for the job. Bryant, who was ranked as a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 14 dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports Composite rankings for 2015, has appeared in 10 games for Clemson and served as the third-string quarterback in 2016. Cooper, a former four-star prospect, redshirted for Clemson this season.

Clemson’s 1,000-yard rusher, Wayne Gallman declared for the NFL Draft Tuesday. He rushed 30 times for 123 yards against Auburn. Watson was the second-leading rusher for Clemson, while freshman Tavien Feaster and sophomore C.J. Fuller combined for 432 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Mike Williams, who had the best game of any receiver who faced Auburn this year with nine catches for 174 yards, is also jumping into the draft. He hauled in 177 catches for 2,727 yards and 21 touchdowns in his Clemson career. No. 2 receiver Artavius Scott declared for the draft as well, leaving Jordan Leggett (736 receiving yards, seven touchdowns) as the top returner.

Auburn loses three starters on offense, linemen Robert Leff and Alex Kozan and leading receiver Tony Stevens. Auburn may also have a new quarterback in 2017 as highly-touted transfer Jarrett Stidham will try to win the starting job over starter Sean White, backup John Franklin III and redshirt Woody Barrett.

As for Clemson’s defense, end Carlos Watkins, linebacker Ben Boulware and defensive backs Corder Tankersley and Jadar Johnson have all played their final games as seniors. Boulware led Clemson in tackles with 116, with 11.5 for loss with four sacks and three forced fumbles.

Auburn’s defensive line takes a hit by losing its top two starters — tackle Montravius Adams and end Carl Lawson, who declared for the NFL Draft last week. The starting linebackers will remain intact, but Auburn must find replacements for Rudy Ford and Josh Holsey in the secondary.

It’s certainly difficult to determine the gravity of the Week 2 contest, though most early-bird projections have Auburn’s 2017 team ranked in the top 20 while Clemson is expected to begin the season in the top 10. It will be the first test of the season for both teams. Auburn will enter the matchup after opening with Georgia Southern at home. Clemson begins the year against Kent State.

Auburn’s game at Clemson will be the 51st meeting between the schools, and Clemson has won the last three straight.