| FTBL '08 schedule: 1st of 12 questions, #1 Clemson.

[TerryP]

With the thought in mind that we are beginning to work on the pre-season capsules covering the 2008 schedule and looking over the teams we'll be facing I see a number of questions coming up with all of our games. Yes, including some of those "guaranteed wins."

So, along those lines, let's start with Clemson and what you think the question mark, the most important one, will be going into this season opener.

Going back a few months...

After the SECCG, that ACCCG, etc. last year I made one of my normal stops one evening at a local Sports Grill / Oyster Bar off the the Ashley River. The guy who owns the place is the drive time host to the local sports radio show. In the conversation that night one guy threw out the question "if every state had a Heisman winner, who would get the award for South Carolina?" I didn't hesitate with my answer, "Cullen Harper." If you don't know Harper, he's the starting QB or the Clemson squad.

I know most of those looking ahead at Clemson have two players in mind. CJ Spiller and James Davis.

(Would you trade one of our current RB's for Davis since Shula and staff passed on him?)

Granted, that is a great place to be looking at when it comes to stopping the Clemson offense. Quite frankly, I do wonder if the combination of McFadden and Jones was a more deadly competition than those two.

So, where does the question, in my mind, come when it comes to our game?

I look no further than the Outside Linebackers.

1) Because both of these guys (Spiller and Davis) aren't going to be the type that run between tackles in our game but rather they'll be looking to break around the end.

2) Because that tackling responsibility will fall mostly on the OLB's, with the rest of it falling on our defensive backfield.

The way I see it, this early on, is our CB's will be taken out of the plays covering the WR and SE. Then, we'll lose one of the OLB's covering the receiver lined up in the slot.

The Answer:

I suspect, based on a number of things, we'll see the JACK backer on the LOS most of the game. It'll put is in a 4-2-5 look, but it'll be a basic nickel package. That'll leave the speed coming from our defensive backs with both coverage and run protection falling on this group.

Thoughts?

What would you call your biggest question going into Clemson?

 

[imported_porkchop]

I think my biggest question going into that one would be how to contain Spiller and Davis. I agree that McFadden and Jones are a better duo, but Clemson is going to hand the rock off to these two guys a bunch against us and I think the key to the game might end up being how we handle them. If we limit them to tough, 3 yards and a cloud of dust-type carries we put ourselves in great shape to control the game.

Another big question I have is how Clemson and their staff will play in this game since it's a neutral site. What I mean is, Clemson under Bowden has been very up and down. They can look lights out one week and get thumped by an inferior team the next. Will the lack of a home field advantage be a factor for Clemson and effect them adversly? I wonder.

 

[AlabamaMan]

For me it has to be pass rush. It does you no good to try and contain the corners from the tailbacks, if you get no pressure on the QB. He is good enough that I think they can beat you without a solid outing from Spiller and Co. Hell, even if they aren't playing great, you still have to account for them every time they are lined up in the back field.

 

[TerryP]

I think my biggest question going into that one would be how to contain Spiller and Davis. I agree that McFadden and Jones are a better duo, but Clemson is going to hand the rock off to these two guys a bunch against us and I think the key to the game might end up being how we handle them. If we limit them to tough, 3 yards and a cloud of dust-type carries we put ourselves in great shape to control the game.

Another big question I have is how Clemson and their staff will play in this game since it's a neutral site. What I mean is, Clemson under Bowden has been very up and down. They can look lights out one week and get thumped by an inferior team the next. Will the lack of a home field advantage be a factor for Clemson and effect them adversly? I wonder.

I have to wonder how Dabo feels going into this game as well.

You do bring up a good point. Last year, they had a game against BC that they lost which was their first road game.

First road game in 2006, versus Miami, another loss.

They beat Maryland in their first road game of '05, but lost back to back home games against Miami and BC (both overtime losses.) Lost their second road game against Wake Forest.

While we have an even ticket split, those in the corporate world won't be rooting against Alabama in the game. There is a lot more love for Bama in that area that appreciation/like for Clemson. It'll be a neutral field, but I'd bet the spectators won't be rooting for Clemson.

 

[TerryP]

For me it has to be pass rush. It does you no good to try and contain the corners from the tailbacks, if you get no pressure on the QB. He is good enough that I think they can beat you without a solid outing from Spiller and Co. Hell, even if they aren't playing great, you still have to account for them every time they are lined up in the back field.

IMO, it's about clogging the middle. Not pass rush.

 

[Guest]

While we have an even ticket split, those in the corporate world won't be rooting against Alabama in the game. There is a lot more love for Bama in that area that appreciation/like for Clemson. It'll be a neutral field, but I'd bet the spectators won't be rooting for Clemson.

Since most Georgia fans regard Clemson like we regard the Barn, we should have a pretty good edge in crowd support.

 

[TerryP]

...precisely my point Joe.

 

[AlabamaMan]

For me it has to be pass rush. It does you no good to try and contain the corners from the tailbacks, if you get no pressure on the QB. He is good enough that I think they can beat you without a solid outing from Spiller and Co. Hell, even if they aren't playing great, you still have to account for them every time they are lined up in the back field.

IMO, it's about clogging the middle. Not pass rush.

You ask me opinion, then tell me I'm wrong?

 

[BamaFan615]

Terry, you mention the fact that we will almost assuredly be using a 'Nickle package' quite a bit, and I couldn't agree more. With the size that Justin Woodall has, do you think that Saban will ever give him the opportunity to move around, maybe closer to the LOS. Many NFL teams do this with safeties that are generally good in run-support. I haven't seen any evidence of Saban doing this or trying it out, but Woodall's size has made me wonder that for a while...he can match up well with a number a different type players. Barron (assuming that he is not redshirting) is another player that would be, IMO, good at playing near the LOS every now an then. Both have good size, strength, speed...and should be able to match up against a WR, RB or a TE.

I think with doing this it allows us to have more speed on the field (with two LB's and 5 DB's) but it also will give us a little bit more run support to help contain the speed of Davis and Spiller...but more specifically, Spiller.

What do you guys think, critique away.

 

[TerryP]

For me it has to be pass rush. It does you no good to try and contain the corners from the tailbacks, if you get no pressure on the QB. He is good enough that I think they can beat you without a solid outing from Spiller and Co. Hell, even if they aren't playing great, you still have to account for them every time they are lined up in the back field.

IMO, it's about clogging the middle. Not pass rush.

You ask me opinion, then tell me I'm wrong?

:lol: You don't see me on the sidelines calling the schemes...and, rush to your local church and thank God it's the case!

Just an observation. I'm not discounting yours, but I don't see it the same way.

 

[Guest]

just curious, but what are they saying or asking about us? we seem to be talking about spiller, davis, and harper as their main threats; who are they pointing out as our main weapons? just curious as to how other teams perceive us. also, how is their defense? i know they got like a dozen sacks or so in their spring game, but is that a reflection of good defense or a bad o-line? the reason i ask about their defense is because i feel our offense is going to move the ball well and put up some big numbers, just from what i've gathered this spring (and with some additional talent coming in). just kind of curious if anyone has been lurking on a clemson site to see what they say about us. or maybe it's to early for them to talk football. maybe they dont take their football to seriously!

 

[TerryP]

just curious, but what are they saying or asking about us? we seem to be talking about spiller, davis, and harper as their main threats; who are they pointing out as our main weapons? just curious as to how other teams perceive us. also, how is their defense? i know they got like a dozen sacks or so in their spring game, but is that a reflection of good defense or a bad o-line? the reason i ask about their defense is because i feel our offense is going to move the ball well and put up some big numbers, just from what i've gathered this spring (and with some additional talent coming in). just kind of curious if anyone has been lurking on a clemson site to see what they say about us. or maybe it's to early for them to talk football. maybe they dont take their football to seriously!

The forums that I've stuck my head in the last few weeks haven't had a lot of threads about football in regard to our game (they are a few talking about recruiting.) Most of them are talking about baseball and the unsuspected collapse of their team this year. To quote the late Lewis Grizzard, "It's Auburn with a lake."

 

[BamaFan615]

just curious, but what are they saying or asking about us? we seem to be talking about spiller, davis, and harper as their main threats; who are they pointing out as our main weapons? just curious as to how other teams perceive us. also, how is their defense? i know they got like a dozen sacks or so in their spring game, but is that a reflection of good defense or a bad o-line? the reason i ask about their defense is because i feel our offense is going to move the ball well and put up some big numbers, just from what i've gathered this spring (and with some additional talent coming in). just kind of curious if anyone has been lurking on a clemson site to see what they say about us. or maybe it's to early for them to talk football. maybe they dont take their football to seriously!

The forums that I've stuck my head in the last few weeks haven't had a lot of threads about football in regard to our game (they are a few talking about recruiting.) Most of them are talking about baseball and the unsuspected collapse of their team this year. To quote the late Lewis Grizzard, "It's Auburn with a lake."

My girlfriend's whole family went to Clemson. And none of them ever really talk about football...when I bring the subject up they don't really know much about their team other than their RB's Spiller and Davis. Most of the time, (granted, I usually see them during the summer) all they want to hear about is Clemson baseball.

Actually, her grandfather is a booster at Clemson. And I'm not sure exactly how all that works, or how much you have to donate to be considered a "booster", but I'm hoping that he is enough of a big dog that he can get me tickets to the game (he played basketball at Clemson back in his golden days)...so if you see one guy with a red shirt on in the middle of a bunch of orange during the game...that might be me

 

[TerryP]

just curious, but what are they saying or asking about us? we seem to be talking about spiller, davis, and harper as their main threats; who are they pointing out as our main weapons? just curious as to how other teams perceive us. also, how is their defense? i know they got like a dozen sacks or so in their spring game, but is that a reflection of good defense or a bad o-line? the reason i ask about their defense is because i feel our offense is going to move the ball well and put up some big numbers, just from what i've gathered this spring (and with some additional talent coming in). just kind of curious if anyone has been lurking on a clemson site to see what they say about us. or maybe it's to early for them to talk football. maybe they dont take their football to seriously!

The forums that I've stuck my head in the last few weeks haven't had a lot of threads about football in regard to our game (they are a few talking about recruiting.) Most of them are talking about baseball and the unsuspected collapse of their team this year. To quote the late Lewis Grizzard, "It's Auburn with a lake."

My girlfriend's whole family went to Clemson. And none of them ever really talk about football...when I bring the subject up they don't really know much about their team other than their RB's Spiller and Davis. Most of the time, (granted, I usually see them during the summer) all they want to hear about is Clemson baseball.

Actually, her grandfather is a booster at Clemson. And I'm not sure exactly how all that works, or how much you have to donate to be considered a "booster", but I'm hoping that he is enough of a big dog that he can get me tickets to the game (he played basketball at Clemson back in his golden days)...so if you see one guy with a red shirt on in the middle of a bunch of orange during the game...that might be me

IPTAY

Lowest level, "I Pay a Thousand A Year."

 

[Guest]

Clemson campus looks and feels 100% better than Aubruns.......that is the truth. When I was looking at Clemson, because I wanted to be an architect at the time, it impressed me. Nice and cozy and stuck in the woods...kinda. The atmosphere was and is always better than Aubruns...I mean you cant expect much from a barn.
Not that I am a Clemson fan but I use to attend a lot of games with a family friends, who all graduated from Clemson, and really enjoyed it.

Anyway back to football....we need big lineman to clog the middle gaps and free up our backers. Plain and simple. LB's and stunts for DL should provide pressure along with some secondary blitzes

 

[Guest]

just curious, but what are they saying or asking about us? we seem to be talking about spiller, davis, and harper as their main threats; who are they pointing out as our main weapons? just curious as to how other teams perceive us. also, how is their defense? i know they got like a dozen sacks or so in their spring game, but is that a reflection of good defense or a bad o-line? the reason i ask about their defense is because i feel our offense is going to move the ball well and put up some big numbers, just from what i've gathered this spring (and with some additional talent coming in). just kind of curious if anyone has been lurking on a clemson site to see what they say about us. or maybe it's to early for them to talk football. maybe they dont take their football to seriously!

The forums that I've stuck my head in the last few weeks haven't had a lot of threads about football in regard to our game (they are a few talking about recruiting.) Most of them are talking about baseball and the unsuspected collapse of their team this year. To quote the late Lewis Grizzard, "It's Auburn with a lake."

My girlfriend's whole family went to Clemson. And none of them ever really talk about football...when I bring the subject up they don't really know much about their team other than their RB's Spiller and Davis. Most of the time, (granted, I usually see them during the summer) all they want to hear about is Clemson baseball.

Actually, her grandfather is a booster at Clemson. And I'm not sure exactly how all that works, or how much you have to donate to be considered a "booster", but I'm hoping that he is enough of a big dog that he can get me tickets to the game (he played basketball at Clemson back in his golden days)...so if you see one guy with a red shirt on in the middle of a bunch of orange during the game...that might be me

IPTAY

Lowest level, "I Pay a Thousand A Year."

IPTAY is use for all booters, it is divided into colors and names...some even animals and former players....
Examples:
Tiger Cub Club ($30 minimum) Ages birth to 12

- Discounted tickets to select Football and Men's Basketball games
- Free admission to all non-conference Baseball games (Excluding South Carolina)
- Free admission to all Soccer and Women's Basketball games (Excluding Solid Orange Events)
- Special membership package
- Newsletter

Tiger ($1,400 minimum)

- 8 Season Tickets for Clemson Football*
- 6 Season Tickets for Clemson Basketball*
- 35 Issues of the Orange & White
- 1 Reserved Parking Space for home football games
- 10 Priority Points

IPTAY ($2,800 minimum)

- 10 Season Tickets for Clemson Football*
- 8 Season Tickets for Clemson Basketball*
- 35 Issues of the Orange & White
- 1 Reserved Parking Space for home football games
- 20 Priority Points

Heisman ($10,000 minimum)

- 14 Season Tickets for Clemson Football*
- 12 Season Tickets for Clemson Basketball*
- 35 Issues of the Orange & White
- 2 Reserved Parking Spaces for home football games
- 100 Priority Points

*Donor is eligible to purchase this number of season tickets at this specific level. An IPTAY membership gives the donor the opportunity to purchase season tickets. Season tickets are sold separately.

They have an interesting set up

http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/iptay/clem-donorlevels.html

 

[ElephantStomp]

I think we have to be able to have a pass rush which in my opinion leads to clogging the middle. I am probally one of the only ones that think this, but I'm not that impressed with the two backs that Clemson has. Last year they got alot of love, but they were spotty.

I completly agree that the duo of McFadden and Jones was way better and I thought we handled them fine. And as was already stated Clemson isn't very good on the road, so I wonder how they'll handle the pro-Bama crowd that they'll face in GA?

Cory

 

[Guest]

If memory serves, Clemson lost four of five offensive line starters to graduation. Unless they've got some UGA type freshmen lurking around their program they will have trouble for a time with protecting the passer and consistent run blocking. The number of sacks they had in their spring game would tend to support that idea. If we keep them from popping big plays on us, we have an excellent chance to win.

 

[rolltyroll]

Concerning the post earlier about Clemson being an up and down team, good one week and aweful the next, the Alabama squad has no room to ridicule. We leveled Tennessee and three weeks later lost to ULM. I think this thing is gonna come down to what it always does- who wants it more. Clemson obviously has more talent, but I believe our coaching staff will level the playing field in that respect. It will come down to who makes more key plays in tough situations. My question is how many true freshmen will Saban be willing to start in game one and how much impact will they make?

 

[Guest]

If memory serves, Clemson lost four of five offensive line starters to graduation. Unless they've got some UGA type freshmen lurking around their program they will have trouble for a time with protecting the passer and consistent run blocking. The number of sacks they had in their spring game would tend to support that idea. If we keep them from popping big plays on us, we have an excellent chance to win.

So far Bowden has named a starting center and right tackle. Possibly a left tackle, who has no starting experience. There are three redshirt freshmen, and a junior competing for the other two starting spots. They also have McClain coming in this fall . So I think our d line clogging up the middle could be key as TerryP touched on before.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=accnotebook080424