Clemson Offense vs. Alabama Defense
At the skill positions, Clemson is loaded. QB Cullen Harper threw for almost 3,000 yards and 27 TD's last season in his first year as the starter. RB James Davis needs 800 or so yards to become the school's all time career leading rusher. CJ Spiller is a dynamic playmaker with tremendous speed. At WR, Aaron Kelly will almost certainly break the ACC all time career receptions record. He has over 1,000 yards receiving last season. Speedster Jacoby Ford, who was out the last half of last season, is used in reverses and misdirection extensively. Ford was clocked by three coaches in an incredible 4.1 in the 40 this year. He is the fastest player Clemson has ever suited up to play, and one of the fastest in the nation. Our TE's are solid, albeit unspectacular, but are featured a lot in Rob Spence's multiple formation offense.
The offensive line for Clemson is the biggest question mark on the team. Returning is Thomas Austin at center, who has perhaps the most functional strength of anyone on the line. He playd 800 snaps last season. At guards, David Smith, Barry Humphries, and Jamarcus Grant look to get the most snaps. These are huge bodies, who have played in some big games... but rarely started. At left tackle is behemoth Corey Lambert, who will be challenged by incoming freshman Antoine McClain for playing time.
All in all, this group has a bunch of big bodies that will eventually make for a very good line... but maybe not this year.
So how does the offense stack up against Alabama's defense? Alabama's defensive line is a veteran, talented group, although it did lose it's top pass rusher from a year ago. All three starting defensive linemen have at least two years of playing time under their belts.
Very similarly to Clemson's situation, Alabama has more questions at LB. After losing 2 LB's, The Tide can start four backers that have at least some experience. Beyond that, there is little experienced depth, something that might be necessary in a 3-4.
In the secondary, Alabama loses some, but returns a nice mixture of experienced players. After losing S Marcus Carter and CB Simeon Castille, the Tide will look for some someone to step up and lead, but Rashaad Johnson can easily fill that role.
What Will Happen?
There are several intriguing matchups here. The first will be Alabama's defensive line, experienced and athletic, against Clemson's relatively green offensive front. The biggest issue will come with running the football. Alabama lacked a scary pass rush last season, and with their top sack leader gone, even Clemson's younger line can give adequate pass protection.
However, look for Clemson to have to find creative ways to get yards on the ground. CJ Spiller and James Davis need their touches, but one has to ask at what point will Clemson Offensive Coordinator Rob Spence decide to air it out?
An "X Factor" that COULD aid in Clemson's running game is the return of speedster Jacoby Ford and Fullback Chad Diehl.
Diehl, who holds the title of being far and away Clemson's most devastating blocker out of the backfield, was injured early last season. His precense could help shore up a questionable offensive line.
Jacoby Ford's threat on reverses and screens would help prevent Alabama's DE's from crashing inside without paying the price.
So what will happen? Look for Clemson to get only modest gains on the ground through a lot of misdirection...including reverses and direct snaps to Davis and/or Spiller.
Harper will use his short to intermediate passing options and find his TE's on crossing routes.
The result, Clemson's offense will put up enough points to keep them in the game... in the 20-24 point range.
At the skill positions, Clemson is loaded. QB Cullen Harper threw for almost 3,000 yards and 27 TD's last season in his first year as the starter. RB James Davis needs 800 or so yards to become the school's all time career leading rusher. CJ Spiller is a dynamic playmaker with tremendous speed. At WR, Aaron Kelly will almost certainly break the ACC all time career receptions record. He has over 1,000 yards receiving last season. Speedster Jacoby Ford, who was out the last half of last season, is used in reverses and misdirection extensively. Ford was clocked by three coaches in an incredible 4.1 in the 40 this year. He is the fastest player Clemson has ever suited up to play, and one of the fastest in the nation. Our TE's are solid, albeit unspectacular, but are featured a lot in Rob Spence's multiple formation offense.
The offensive line for Clemson is the biggest question mark on the team. Returning is Thomas Austin at center, who has perhaps the most functional strength of anyone on the line. He playd 800 snaps last season. At guards, David Smith, Barry Humphries, and Jamarcus Grant look to get the most snaps. These are huge bodies, who have played in some big games... but rarely started. At left tackle is behemoth Corey Lambert, who will be challenged by incoming freshman Antoine McClain for playing time.
All in all, this group has a bunch of big bodies that will eventually make for a very good line... but maybe not this year.
So how does the offense stack up against Alabama's defense? Alabama's defensive line is a veteran, talented group, although it did lose it's top pass rusher from a year ago. All three starting defensive linemen have at least two years of playing time under their belts.
Very similarly to Clemson's situation, Alabama has more questions at LB. After losing 2 LB's, The Tide can start four backers that have at least some experience. Beyond that, there is little experienced depth, something that might be necessary in a 3-4.
In the secondary, Alabama loses some, but returns a nice mixture of experienced players. After losing S Marcus Carter and CB Simeon Castille, the Tide will look for some someone to step up and lead, but Rashaad Johnson can easily fill that role.
What Will Happen?
There are several intriguing matchups here. The first will be Alabama's defensive line, experienced and athletic, against Clemson's relatively green offensive front. The biggest issue will come with running the football. Alabama lacked a scary pass rush last season, and with their top sack leader gone, even Clemson's younger line can give adequate pass protection.
However, look for Clemson to have to find creative ways to get yards on the ground. CJ Spiller and James Davis need their touches, but one has to ask at what point will Clemson Offensive Coordinator Rob Spence decide to air it out?
An "X Factor" that COULD aid in Clemson's running game is the return of speedster Jacoby Ford and Fullback Chad Diehl.
Diehl, who holds the title of being far and away Clemson's most devastating blocker out of the backfield, was injured early last season. His precense could help shore up a questionable offensive line.
Jacoby Ford's threat on reverses and screens would help prevent Alabama's DE's from crashing inside without paying the price.
So what will happen? Look for Clemson to get only modest gains on the ground through a lot of misdirection...including reverses and direct snaps to Davis and/or Spiller.
Harper will use his short to intermediate passing options and find his TE's on crossing routes.
The result, Clemson's offense will put up enough points to keep them in the game... in the 20-24 point range.
