Here we go again....This is the year Clemson puts it all together to remind their fans of the good ole' days when the Tigers ran roughshod year in and year out over a bunch of basketball schools--that is, until Florida State showed up.
While opinions vary, it's tough not to like Clemson's chances.
A look at the Preseason Top 25 polls shows that the only other ACC team consistently appearing in the preseason projection is Virginia Tech--and Clemson is not even slated to play them during the regular season.
So, why shouldn't Clemson at least make it to the ACC Championship?
They by all means can, but it certainly seems like a recurring theme for Clemson every few years, and at the end of the season people are left watching them play in the Champs Sports Bowl or the Humanitarian Bowl.
With the exception of All-Conference defensive end Philip Merling leaving early for the NFL Draft, Clemson had a very positive off-season:
1) Tommy Bowden parlayed an interview for the Arkansas job into more money annually and a contract extension through 2014. Impressive move by Bowden considering he has been on and off the hot seat every six months since he has been there.
2) James Davis (RB), Aaron Kelly (WR), and Cullen Harper (QB) all remained in school after hinting at declaring for the draft. In fact, Davis actually did declare, but apparently did not sign with an agent and was able to return.
3) Clemson's recruiting class was one of the best in the country, with monster defensive end DaQuan Bowers and running back Jamie Harper headlining the class.
Heading into the 2008 season, Clemson's biggest strength is clearly its backfield.
Cullen Harper burst on the scene in 2007 by breaking the school record for passing TD's with 27, although the Tigers have traditionally been more of a run-oriented team.
Harper also threw for right at 3,000 yards and had an unbelievable 27/6 touchdown to interception ratio.
But can Harper put up these type numbers again in 2008?
Fortunately for Tiger fans, it might not matter, as running backs James Davis and CJ Spiller are both gearing up for great seasons. As mentioned, James Davis returns, but is that necessarily a good thing?
For example, in the 2007 Peach Bowl against Auburn, Davis allegedly said prior to the game that he would make his decision on whether to return to school based on how the coaches used him.
23 carries later, Davis was ready to return. However, Davis' carries only produced 72 yards (3.1 yards/carry) while CJ Spiller rippped off 112 yards on only eight carries.
One of Spiller's carries was an electric 83-yard scamper that made Auburn's defense look like something out of the Big 10 in terms of team speed.
So Davis' decision to come back may actually take carries away from a guy in CJ Spiller that can break loose for a touchdown from anywhere on the field. Spiller is flat out scary fast and scary for opposing defensive coordinators.
However, James Davis is a sports writer's dream, because the guy will say anything to the media.
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6 months ago
Good article, some good info in there. Clemson is bound to get over the hump this year right?? And Spiller made Auburn's defense look like a Big 10 team? Wow that's harsh, of course Auburn's D didn't look too bad the rest of the game I'd say, ask your boys Harper and Davis about that.
6 months ago
I don't think anyone made Auburn's defense look slow last year. Spiller is a freak of nature.
Here's hoping Bama beats the Tigers by 1 point on a controversial call and that Spurrier's boys take care of business in mini-Death Valley. Clemson 0-2 against SEC would be nice.
DaQuan Bowers has been hyped for months now--it will be difficult for him to live up to that, unless, of course, he's as good as everyone is saying.
6 months ago
Good Article! I am looking forward to going to the GA Dome for the Bama Clemson game. Should be a good one!
6 months ago
Good article. Nice to get some good condensed info on various teams outside of my own.
6 months ago
Justin,
I was implying that Auburn's Defense looked like a Big 10 defense on Spiller's 83 yard TD run. Hard to argue against that if you remember the play. However, besides that play, Auburn, successfully bottled up Davis and shutdown Harper the rest of the game. Neither of which are my boys...
6 months ago
Trey you a South Carolina fan/alum? ... notice that this will be your first trip to Ole Miss (they roll onto Carolina's schedule) and notice the jabs ... anyway would say the above is fairly accurate, Taylor no longer with the LBs ... AND I was at the game and Auburn's D was pretty darn good ... However, they weren't stretched due to Harper's shoulder causing an inability to hit anything down the field (missed 3 wide open receivers between the hashes) ... despite Spurrier's win in DV 2 years ago, due to ST blunders, feel Carolina will struggle to score against stout defenses ... look for Clemson's string of dominance over the fighting clucks to continue ... Clemson wins 11.
6 months ago
Trey - what year did you graduate from South Carolina or are you just a fan?
I'll give you credit and say you hid your bias to a certain degree...but you seem to find it necessary to follow up any positive statement by a sarcastic remark or disclaimer...something absent from your piece on the Gamecocks...
I'll admit my bias... I am a Clemson graduate and proud of it...
4 months ago
Trey - Any insight into why there folks are getting on to my Clemson boys for not disciplining the McDaniel; he wasn't guilty according to his teammates? Surely the bruises on the girl and the medical report are false right? Let me know, because we need him this year!
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