| FTBL A Clemson Fan's Preview and Prediction, Part I

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.
 
I'd be interested to know who you (and everyone else) give the advantage to in all of the match ups.

Bama's QB vs Clemson DB
Bama's OL vs Clemson DL
Bama's RB vs Clemson LB

Bama's DB vs Clemson QB
Bama's DL vs Clemson OL
Bama's LB vs Clemson RB

I only see Bama having an advantage in Bama's RB vs Clemson LB and Bama's DL vs Clemson OL, with a push in Bama's OL vs Clemson DL.

The only real question mark for me is Alabama's incoming freshmen. They could come in and contribute in a big way and keep Bama in the game or they could come in and play like freshmen.

My pick Bama 24 Clemson 35 (that's assuming the freshmen play like freshmen)
 
pimpsahoy said:
I'd be interested to know who you (and everyone else) give the advantage to in all of the match ups.

Bama's QB vs Clemson DB - Clemson
Bama's OL vs Clemson DL - Bama
Bama's RB vs Clemson LB - Bama

Bama's DB vs Clemson QB - Draw (Great QB, DBs coming into the system)
Bama's DL vs Clemson OL - Draw (LB's and S will have better shot at sacks)
Bama's LB vs Clemson RB - Depends on who else starts at LB.

quote]
 
Ask and ye shall receive!

Bama's QB vs Clemson DB- With no disrespect for Wilson, nobody will get the nod over four returning starters. Wilson I think you will agree, needs to find consistency. At times last season he was an absolute baller...then he would make a mistake and psychologically seemed to be down.
Bama's OL vs Clemson DL- Wash. Two PREMIER groups.
Bama's RB vs Clemson LB- Bama's RB's. I think our LB might be decent, but Grant is a good one.

Bama's DB vs Clemson QB- I'm going to have to give a very close edge to Cullen Harper. Don't let the Peach Bowl fool you... he was playing with what would later be a surgically repaired shoulder. He threw 27 TD's to only 6 INT's last season. However, I think the biggest reason for me giving this to Clemson, is who he has to throw to. Bama's secondary IS solid, but they have to cover Aaron Kelly and Jacoby Ford.
Bama's DL vs Clemson OL- Bama's defensive line. Now your guys aren't pass rushing specialists, so some of the talk about "Cullen Harper being on his back all night" stuff is premature. My bigger concern is "how do you get James Davis and Spiller the ball?"
Bama's LB vs Clemson RB- Gotta say Clemson, with Spiller and Davis. Spiller is exceptionally difficult to cover out of the backfield, and aside from the returning All SEC Freshman LB y'all have, I'm not sure you match up well here. Honestly...your LB corps is sort of a mirror image of ours...except yours are bigger.
 
Haha

Here is my thoughts on 40 times...

NONE of them are legit. The fastest 100m runner in the world, doped up on steroids, ran 40 yards at a world record pace, when electronically timed...

of 4.4

These hand timed measurements are for the birds, but put at it this way...4.1 hand timed is faster than 4.4 hand timed.

He is a burner
 
Hey TigerTeacher, since there hasn't been too much brought up about it since you've been on here, how well do you think Clemson's punt and kick return defense will match up against Bama's returners? IMHO, I think that's where Bama will have the biggest advantage over Clemson; Hands down. I see Bama starting with great field position on nearly every kick or punt. Unless Clemson just squibs it or keeps it out of Arenas', etc. hands, or just takes a penalty. Just something I've been thinking about and wanted feedback on. RTR
 
Re: Without a doubt

TigerTeacher2007 said:
if our kick coverage isn't improved, we will have a hard time winning.

That's another reason I thought in the 30's...Javier Arenas is going to be even more dangerous this year, than last. We'll give you another option on KO returns, but teams later on in the season will try to figure out which to kick to.
 
Re: Without a doubt

TerryP said:
TigerTeacher2007 said:
if our kick coverage isn't improved, we will have a hard time winning.

That's another reason I thought in the 30's...Javier Arenas is going to be even more dangerous this year, than last. We'll give you another option on KO returns, but teams later on in the season will try to figure out which to kick to.

Hmmm... who could that be? :D
 
Re: Without a doubt

shipley00 said:
TerryP said:
TigerTeacher2007 said:
if our kick coverage isn't improved, we will have a hard time winning.

That's another reason I thought in the 30's...Javier Arenas is going to be even more dangerous this year, than last. We'll give you another option on KO returns, but teams later on in the season will try to figure out which to kick to.

Hmmm... who could that be? :D

I'd bet, the staff is saying the same thing. There are a **few** to choose from.
 
Re: Without a doubt

TerryP said:
shipley00 said:
TerryP said:
TigerTeacher2007 said:
if our kick coverage isn't improved, we will have a hard time winning.

That's another reason I thought in the 30's...Javier Arenas is going to be even more dangerous this year, than last. We'll give you another option on KO returns, but teams later on in the season will try to figure out which to kick to.

Hmmm... who could that be? :D

I'd bet, the staff is saying the same thing. There are a **few** to choose from.

I bet B.J. Scott and Maze will be at the top of that list. JMO. :wink:
 
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