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-- Protecting the football is going to be a big emphasis this offseason.

Let's go back two years, to the offseason of 2015, and say you're told Clemson's turnover margin in the next two seasons would be minus-2 and minus-1.

The Tigers were plus-6 in 2014 and finished 10-3. They were also plus-6 in 2013 and finished 11-2.

No one in his right mind, not even Dabo Swinney, would have predicted 28-2, a national title and darned near two of them if told the offense would turn it over a whopping 55 times in 2015 and 2016.

That's really one of the most remarkable elements of the national title, and a testament to just how talented this team was, that the Tigers were able to overcome a trend that normally sinks teams that aspire to bring home the trophy.

Dabo Swinney's teams have enjoyed immense success of late, despite lingering issues with the turnover bug.
Dabo Swinney's teams have enjoyed immense success of late, despite lingering issues with the turnover bug. (Tigerillustrated.com)

Clemson football SID Tim Bourret is in the process of scouring the record books to find the last time a national champion has finished with a negative turnover margin. We checked with him this morning, and he's all the way back to 1998 with no success.

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