| FTBL Pre-Season Capsule: BAMA vs Clemson.

[TerryP]

With Alabama opening the 2008 football season with a Out of Conference opponent I'm immediately reminded of the 2001 year when we did the same versus Oklahoma. What makes these two games similar, besides the point of them being national broadcast against well known programs is the point when we face OU in 2001 both fan bases enjoyed talking with each other about the things the two teams had in common. Traditions, uniforms that any football fan across the United States would recognize at the first glimpse, championships and how a new coach pulled OU out of its slump and the faith we had in Coach Frachione doing the same with Alabama.

Clemson, to a degree, shares a lot of things in common with Bama as well. The famed Howard's Rock the school advertises as part of their pre-game ritual. This same Frank Howard is a Bama guy, played for the Crimson Tide in the late 1920's before moving into coaching as a profession. He is credited for building the Clemson program into what it is today.

Cecil "Hootie" Ingram, a defensive back at Alabama in the early 1950's also coached at Clemson. In fact, he's credited with bringing the "Tiger Paw" to Clemson which is yet another one of their traditions.

No one that is a Clemson fan can forget Danny Ford who brought their last National Championship to Death Valley. And, of course we all know, Danny was also a member of the Alabama teams in the late 1960's.

We can go on and on with these comparisons. Tommy Bowden, Clemson head coach, was on the Alabama staff in the late 1980's working under Bill Curry. Last, but certainly not least is Dabo Swinney who was a member of our last national championship team in 1992 and also a former coach who started under Stalling and was here for the last half of the 1990's.

Ah, but there is one more comparison which brings us in to the present day. With the late season collapse at Alabama last year we all have spoken about how this team needs to finish, be mentally tough to go full speed from the kickoff until the final gun sounds.

Read the entire preview at the RollTideBama.com Blog

 

[imported_porkchop]

Nice job Terry. I particularly like the banner and helmets at the top, as far as asthetics go. My previews have slightly different header to them, but I think yours is pretty tight.

 

[TerryP]

Nice job Terry. I particularly like the banner and helmets at the top, as far as asthetics go. My previews have slightly different header to them, but I think yours is pretty tight.

Thanks goes to kudzu who put that together for me.

 

[Chuck-E-Cheeze]

I like that score prediction at the bottom Terry. My main concern is that we play our hearts out for this one and sustain a few injuries that plague the starters throughout the meat of the season.

 

[Guest]

I agree with the close score but I'm thinking it will look more like a slugfest than a shootout. I could see this game having the same feel as the Peach Bowl.

I personally don't buy into the pre-season hype surrounding Clemson. I think they're going to stumble out of the blocks and finish strong, just strong enough to keep Bowden around a few more years.

 

[TerryP]

I agree with the close score but I'm thinking it will look more like a slugfest than a shootout. I could see this game having the same feel as the Peach Bowl.

I personally don't buy into the pre-season hype surrounding Clemson. I think they're going to stumble out of the blocks and finish strong, just strong enough to keep Bowden around a few more years.

I understand that reasoning, but have to ask this. Is the Clemson defense better than what LSU fielded last year?

Our game, UA vs AU, was a lower score because we both ran the ball a lot. I don't see either team doing the same.

 

[Guest]

DaQuan Bowers


is this the recruit from NC? If it is...he is demon off the end....going to bed and to tired to look.

 

[BamaHeat]

I linked to this story on the blog from my site's front page. I had it going to BleacherReport until I saw this.

 

[TerryP]

DaQuan Bowers


is this the recruit from NC? If it is...he is demon off the end....going to bed and to tired to look.

No, and yes. He's from Bamburg, SC but he is a beast.

They are raving over how good of a spring camp he had. But, very few are mentioning the OL he was going against.

Top 5 in every defensive end category on Rivals. He was rated the 2nd best in the nation right behind Terrelle Pryor.

 

[Guest]

DaQuan Bowers


is this the recruit from NC? If it is...he is demon off the end....going to bed and to tired to look.

No, and yes. He's from Bamburg, SC but he is a beast.

They are raving over how good of a spring camp he had. But, very few are mentioning the OL he was going against.

Top 5 in every defensive end category on Rivals. He was rated the 2nd best in the nation right behind Terrelle Pryor.

Thought he was from the Carolinas.....I watched spring and he is quick off the line....good point about the Oline.

 

[Nate]

Good article... I'm not sure if the score will get that high though...

 

[TerryP]

Good article... I'm not sure if the score will get that high though...

I thought about that for awhile. One the first draft I did...3-4 weeks ago I just had Bama by three.

The reason why I thought it would end up in the 30's was based on three games, LSU, UT and Arkansas. We would have put more points on the board last year vs Auburn but choose to center on our running attack.

Personally, I'm better at spreads than final scores.

 

[Guest]

I agree with the close score but I'm thinking it will look more like a slugfest than a shootout. I could see this game having the same feel as the Peach Bowl.

I personally don't buy into the pre-season hype surrounding Clemson. I think they're going to stumble out of the blocks and finish strong, just strong enough to keep Bowden around a few more years.

I agree.

 

[TigerTeacher2007]

Just something to think about Terry..

I know Bama has some offensive skill, and a good line.

But I don't think you're looking at Clemson's defense enough. The question isn't, "are we as good as LSU's defense."

Clemson's defense is predicated upon getting good pressure with our front 3, and blitzing from a different spot everytime. We love the zone blitz....

but we play bend and don't break. We will let you consume clock, and drive 40 yards, but hold. We were a Top 10 in total defense last season.

My point is this... given our strategy of NOT giving up the big play, and given that since our defensive coordinator got here (three years ago) we've only give up 35 points twice (the last one being when VT ran an INT and 2 kicks back for scores), it might be a little presumptive to think Bama will score 35 points in its first game.

I think its going to be a competitive, but relatively low scoring affair. Look for both teams to be in the 20's

 

[Guest]

DaQuan Bowers


is this the recruit from NC? If it is...he is demon off the end....going to bed and to tired to look.

No, and yes. He's from Bamburg, SC but he is a beast.

They are raving over how good of a spring camp he had. But, very few are mentioning the OL he was going against.

Top 5 in every defensive end category on Rivals. He was rated the 2nd best in the nation right behind Terrelle Pryor.

ESPN had him ranked as the number 1 player in the nation overall. Rivals had him at # 2 and Scout lists him at # 9.

 

[Guest]

Re: Just something to think about Terry..

Many Bama fans (myself included), feel that this year's Bama team will be as much improved over 2007 and 2005 was over 2004...if not more.

There are significant reasons to belief this to be likely.

I don't doubt Clemson to be strong in 2008, but I don't see them as being a world beating team.

I know Bama has some offensive skill, and a good line.

But I don't think you're looking at Clemson's defense enough. The question isn't, "are we as good as LSU's defense."

Clemson's defense is predicated upon getting good pressure with our front 3, and blitzing from a different spot everytime. We love the zone blitz....

but we play bend and don't break. We will let you consume clock, and drive 40 yards, but hold. We were a Top 10 in total defense last season.

My point is this... given our strategy of NOT giving up the big play, and given that since our defensive coordinator got here (three years ago) we've only give up 35 points twice (the last one being when VT ran an INT and 2 kicks back for scores), it might be a little presumptive to think Bama will score 35 points in its first game.

I think its going to be a competitive, but relatively low scoring affair. Look for both teams to be in the 20's

 

[TigerTeacher2007]

My point again...

is simply that Clemson tries to dictate a slower pace. We're going to give you a five to seven yard route, and take away the big play.

Again...it is very rare we give up 35 points. Just don't see it happening, especially on the first game.

 

[TerryP]

Re: My point again...

is simply that Clemson tries to dictate a slower pace. We're going to give you a five to seven yard route, and take away the big play.

Again...it is very rare we give up 35 points. Just don't see it happening, especially on the first game.

I understand that reasoning. Living in SC,I tended to at least watch Bowden's Sunday show with the highlights.

One reason I think the score will exceed the 20's is our defensive backfield. I really believe we'll see at least one pick, maybe two.

Your defense on kicking and punting is going to be interesting to watch as well...

 

[Wiseace615]

Re: My point again...

is simply that Clemson tries to dictate a slower pace. We're going to give you a five to seven yard route, and take away the big play.

Again...it is very rare we give up 35 points. Just don't see it happening, especially on the first game.

First of all, welcome to the site. I've really enjoyed your posts that I've read. I see what you're saying about Clemson's defense, and I think that it is reasonable to assume that each team will score in the 20's. The two things that I believe people are overlooking about Alabama, is:

1. This is not Applewhite's offense.

and

2. Terry Grant at 100%.

I mean no disrespect to Major Applewhite; I believe that he will be a great offensive coordinator, but I see McElwain taking a different strategy. I see him using the 5 and 7 yard routes to get the ball into the hands of the speed players and turn them into big plays and Terry Grant is a great example of how he will do it. The fact that Grant was hurting during the second half of the season, I believe has caused people to forget just how fast he is. Give him 7 yards and he'll turn it into 70 in a heartbeat.

Still, I'm looking forward to a game that I believe will be a dogfight consisting of two teams with something to prove to the country, and getting the chance to prove it in primetime on a national stage.

Anyway, just wanted to welcome you and add my .02.

Now that I've gotten myself all pumped up I have to go tackle somebody.....

 

[TerryP]

Re: My point again...

is simply that Clemson tries to dictate a slower pace. We're going to give you a five to seven yard route, and take away the big play.

Again...it is very rare we give up 35 points. Just don't see it happening, especially on the first game.

First of all, welcome to the site. I've really enjoyed your posts that I've read. I see what you're saying about Clemson's defense, and I think that it is reasonable to assume that each team will score in the 20's. The two things that I believe people are overlooking about Alabama, is:

1. This is not Applewhite's offense.

and

2. Terry Grant at 100%.

I mean no disrespect to Major Applewhite; I believe that he will be a great offensive coordinator, but I see McElwain taking a different strategy. I see him using the 5 and 7 yard routes to get the ball into the hands of the speed players and turn them into big plays and Terry Grant is a great example of how he will do it. The fact that Grant was hurting during the second half of the season, I believe has caused people to forget just how fast he is. Give him 7 yards and he'll turn it into 70 in a heartbeat.

Still, I'm looking forward to a game that I believe will be a dogfight consisting of two teams with something to prove to the country, and getting the chance to prove it in primetime on a national stage.

Anyway, just wanted to welcome you and add my .02.

Now that I've gotten myself all pumped up I have to go tackle somebody.....

Oh God, someone go get his dog.