Auburn Tigers Game Three: Old Foe Clemson Comes To the Plains

John Heisman, land grant schools, Tiger mascot, and former conference foes are a few items that make Auburn and Clemson rivals.

The two teams haven't met each other in the regular season since 1971 and the last time they did meet was in the 2007 Chic-fil-A bowl which Auburn came out on top.

Auburn leads the all-time series 33-11-2.

Both teams were in the same conference at one time. The SIAA conference along with another long time Auburn rival Georgia Tech.

Clemson entered the summer not knowing if their starting quarterback, Kyle Parker, was going to be on the team or play for the MLB team Colorado Rockies.

After much consideration, Parker called head coach Dabo Swinney and gave the news he would in fact return for his sophomore season.

After a 9-5 season and a ACC title, the return of Parker has the Clemson faithful optimist about the season. Fans are hoping the Tigers will replace Florida State as the best in the ACC.

On offense coach Swinney must replace running back star D. J. Spiller. Andre Ellington with his 7.2 per rush average, looks to be the man to step in and replace him. Another running back, Jamie Harper who had 79 yards against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, will be in the mix as well.

Four starters return on an offensive line that will making running the football top priority and will be the deciding factor on how well the offense performs. The receiving corp is unproven and will be the weak link that must improve as the season wears on.

The defense is going to be the back bone of the Clemson team. They will be talented and deep. It all starts with safety DeAndre McDaniel who led the ACC and was third in the nation with eight interceptions. The defense will be called on early untill the offense finds itself.

It looks as though these two old rivals will be in for another battle come September.