Clemson Tigers: All Bark and No Bite?

Out of these 15, the Clemson Tigers are in fact the only pre-season top 15 team that failed to defeat a single team last season that finished in the final USA Today Top 25.  In fact, Clemson’s best win last year was against Wake Forrest, who finished the season 8-4.

Here’s a look at the pre-season top 15 and who they beat last season that ended the year in the top 25:

1. Georgia:  #16 Florida, #14 Auburn, #17 Hawaii

2. USC:  #24 Oregon, #13 Arizona St, #18 Illinois

3. Ohio State:  #25 Penn St, #19 Michigan

4. Oklahoma:  #10 Texas, #5 Missouri (2x)  

5. Florida:  #12 Tennessee,

6. LSU:  #9 VT, #16 Florida, #14 Auburn, #12 Tennessee, #4 Ohio St

7. Missouri:  #18 Illinois, #23 Texas Tech, #7 Kansas

8. West Virginia:  #20 Cincinnati, #8 Oklahoma

9. Clemson:

10. Texas:  #23 Texas Tech, #13 Arizona St

11. Auburn:  #16 Florida, #22 Clemson

12. Wisconsin:  #19 Michigan

13. Kansas:  #9 VT

14. Texas Tech:  #8 Oklahoma

15. Virginia Tech:  #22 Clemson, #11 Boston College

There’s no doubting Clemson has a superb offense led by quarterback Cullen Harper and backs James Davis and CJ Spiller.  Though, isn't this essentially the same team from last year, save the offensive line and the linebackers? 

So I ask, what makes the Clemson Tigers of 2008 so deserving of a pre-season top 10 ranking?  And I answer; I can’t seem to find one.   

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