The now famous "stiff arm" video was Julio against a first team preseason all-sec player, and the College Football News #18 ranked player in the conference - regardless of position.
I agree that some people are putting too much faith in a true frosh, but I think some people are as guilty of underestimating the impact he will have. While he is a true frosh, his 400# bench press, 6'4+ height, 43" vertical, and 4.5 speed are well beyond frosh numbers, and make him worthy of attention. If your defense does not account for him, he WILL burn them. No matter how good your corners are, he will be hard to handle 1 on 1. The fact that he will require double teams means that someone else will be on a linebacker. My guess is that our tailbacks (all great pass receivers) are going to FEAST on your linebackers. Terry Grant in particular has elite speed and will burn a backer.
I agree with a lot of this. I think your OL will have a harder time dealing with our DL than our OL will with your DL. Your DL is probably better than ours at most positions, but our DL's don't line up against each other.
Our LT Andre Smith is the CFN #3 rated player in the conference - regardless of position, and a first team all-SEC pick. Center Antoine Caldwell is 1st team all-sec and the #16 player in the conference. The rest of our OL is solid, if not spectacular.
I know that you have a good defense, but games are won and lost in the trenches. If I were a Clemson fan, my OL would have me scared to death. Some Clemson fans have discounted the faith that we are placing in Cody - a Juco nose tackle. All I can say is that they are ignoring what Caldwell (that 1st team all-sec center) said about him. Caldwell was asked if he thought anyone could stop Cody. He replied "only if they bring a gun." When a player of Caldwell's caliber says that, it carries weight with me. The fact that Cody has dropped from 400# down to 365# and has been running 31 x 110 yard wind sprints every day (30 second rest between) gives me a fairly high comfort level on the big man's conditioning.
I think our OL will whip your DL as often as they get whipped - or more, but I think our DL has seen a better OL going against our scout team. That is the key to this game.
When we are on offense, Julio will be a factor as both a decoy and receiver. RB's and TE's will catch a lot of balls with the RB's having the ability to take it to the house.
On defense we control the LOS. I think we will give up a big play or 2, but our DL will wear out your OL.
That is why I think we win this game, and by a comfortable margin. If our DL was playing your DL, you win. Thankfully, that does not happen.
