Bleacher Report - Articles by Jon Parker

Clemson Football Matchups: Can the Tigers Be Tamed?

Jon Parker — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:48:56 -0400

The Clemson 2009 Season will be determined in the trenches.

Last year, despite all of the talent on offense, the lack of holes for the running backs led to more pressure on the quarterback, which turned into a disaster.

And although the defense performed from a statistical standpoint, the lack of ability to put pressure on the quarterback led to less turnovers and sacks.

Let's look at the key matchups for this upcoming year.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson

CU offensive line vs. GT defensive line

Clemson returns all but one starter on their line, and many others gained experience in 2008 due to injuries and inexperience. Look for this to be one of the strengths.

GT lost all four starters from last year, leaving a lot of talent to replace.

Give the edge to Clemson.

Intangibles

Paul Johnson vs. Dabo Swinney.

Johnson has been there, done that and has the ability to create a new game plan on the fly. I read an article the other day about facing his offense saying it isn't just about assignment football, which is always talked about. He can find out what you're doing to stop him and adjust.

No one knows what to expect from Dabo. Can he respond to Johnson's changes during the game?

Last year, with only a week experience, the Tigers put on a good fight. However, this year they're in Atlanta, so we'll see.

Boston College vs. Clemson

BC quarterback vs. CU defensive backs

The defensive and offensive lines of these two may counteract each other, so it may come down which quarterback can complete enough passes to keep them in the game.

And if too many of those are caught by the Tigers, it could be a long day for the Eagles.

Intangibles

CU finally beat Boston College last year after two near misses. And this year, the games in Death Valley.

With no Matt Ryan and a new head coach, the Eagles will have to come up with something special to pull off the upset.

TCU vs. Clemson

TCU offensive line vs. CU linebackers

This will be a battle of TCU's inexperience versus CU's use of experience.

Everyone says the CU linebackers will be the weakest link, so if they get overpowered by the TCU line, then it could be a big problem for the Tigers.

Intangibles

The unknown for TCU of playing in Death Valley against the Tigers underestimating the Horned Frogs.

Until you've played Clemson at home, no one knows what it's like.

And although their past record speaks for itself, will Clemson get up for a team from the Mountain West Conference?

Maryland vs. Clemson

CU offensive line vs. MD defensive line

CU's experience versus MD's inexperience will probably decide this game.

If enough holes can be opened up for CJ Spiller, Jamie Harper, and Andre Ellington, it should be a long day for the Terrapins.

Intangibles

Clemson was embarrassed last year by Maryland by giving up a 17-6 halftime lead.

Will the Tigers come out determined to impose their will upon the Terps? Or will a seasoned head coach Ralph Friedgen outsmart the rookie in Swinney?

Wake Forest vs. Clemson

WF quarterback vs. CU defensive backs

Look for the lines to offset each other, making the running game hit and miss.

That will put the pressure on senior Riley Skinner to make the right throws against an experienced Tiger secondary.

Whoever wins this battle probably wins the game.

Intangibles

This is football tradition Clemson versus small school Wake Forest.

That's no disrespect to the Demon Deacons, but it's just reality.

If Clemson wakes up and realizes they should win this game, it's over. However, Wake Forest has gotten the better hand in recent years against the Tigers.

Miami vs. Clemson

Miami lines vs. Clemson lines

Both schools start the season with experience on both sides of the lines, and barring injuries, the game will be won or lost in the trenches.

If the Tigers stop the Hurricanes and can move the ball, they should win. However, if Miami does the same, look for them to dominate.

Intangibles

The unknown.

These two teams have not met since 2005 (a triple overtime thriller, by the way), so what's going to happen?

A lot of this game will be decided by how these two teams are progressing by this time of the year.

Florida State vs. Clemson

FSU offensive line vs. CU defensive line

This one should be fun.

FSU returns a ton of starts on the offensive line, which means tons of experience.

Seeing these big guys line up against Bowers, Jarvis Jenkins, Brandon Thompson, and Sapp will be a true test of manhood.

Look for this matchup to be a key in deciding this game.

Intangibles

Clemson has a way of losing a couple of games each year due to special teams.

FSU is usually stronger than the Tigers in this area, but the Seminoles must replace a kicker, kick returner, and punt returner.

Look for someone to make a mistake or great play on special teams to win this game.

NC State vs. Clemson

NCS receivers vs. CU defensive backs

Clemson's returning corners and experienced saftey will have their hands full with State's returning receivers.

Along with an excellent quarterback in Russell Wilson, this game could be won or lost through the air.

Intangibles

The Tigers have won five straight against the Wolfpack.

This could mean the Tigers have NC State's number, or that State is due for a win.

Also, the game being in Raleigh, although Clemson has beaten them by 22 and 21 the last two times there.

Virginia vs. Clemson

CU offensive line vs. VA defensive line

It's hard to see Virginia scoring many points against the Tigers.

If the CU offensive line, which comes in with experience, can handle the Cavalier defensive line with two out of three returning starters, the Tigers should come out on top.

Intangibles

Clemson is at home.

The Cavaliers have not played in Death Valley since 2003, meaning no current player has faced the tough home crowd.

Considering Clemson won at Virginia last year, it doesn't bode well for the the visitors.

South Carolina vs. Clemson

SC quarterback vs. CU quarterback

Let's see how the on the field generals handle this game.

Stephen Garcia for the Gamecocks and Willy Korn or Kyle Parker should have plenty of snaps under their belt by this game.

Which one of these leaders makes the most mistakes probably will determine the outcome.

Intangibles

It's Clemson versus South Carolina for an entire state's bragging rights.

Also, one must wonder what the results will be for the Gamecocks after trips to Tennessee and Arkansas, followed by Florida at home.

Their up or down state of mind could make a big difference.

Clemson Tiger Football 2009 -- EXPECTATIONS!!!

Jon Parker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:31:46 -0400

No one has higher expectations for their team this year, or any year, than Clemson Tiger fans.

Except for one person: Dabo Swinney.

Entering his first full year as the Tiger's head coach, Swinney has tremendous weight on his shoulders. Most the weight on Dabo's shoulders comes from his own expectations.

From fighting his way onto the Alabama football team as a walk-on to earning a playing time for the Crimson Tide, Dabo raises his own expectations and usually meets them.

Much is expected from Swinney's staff as well. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele carries some expectations because he inherited on paper what looks like a solid defense.

Last year's defense played a "bend but don't break defense" and didn't take many chances. The result: very little big plays were given up but there were a lack of sacks and turnovers. This year look for more of an attacking defense that will blitz and leave the corners one-on-one. More chances for sacks and interceptions.

But I don't see any particular member of the coaching staff having overwhelming expectations because this group will operate as more of a team than in past years. Dabo hired based on a balance of experienced veterans and aggressive young coaches. They each should complement each other.

The highest expectations will be for CJ Spiller. This year he is the man. No longer in James Davis' shadow, CJ should get more touches than ever. CJ also will have a Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington to give him a little break. And don't forget about a Chad Diehl or Rendrick Taylor as fullbacks who love smashmouth football and opening up holes. And with an inexperienced quarterback look for the running game to be more of a focus.

Based on the lackluster play of Cullen Harper last year, the new quarterback has less expectations in my opinion. Not to mention with Kyle Parker and Willy Korn both having little to no experience one can't expect too much.

The recievers will have more pressure actually. Beyond a Jacoby Ford who will be the CJ Spiller of the receivers being the main target, a Xavier Dye or Terrance Ashe must step it up. But the most expectations lie with the offensive line. Last year the most criticized and weakest part of the offense comes in this year with more experience and should be more of a strength. If they can open up holes for CJ and protect for Kyle or Willy, then this offense could be special.

On the defensive side, the Tigers will have a strong defensive line and secondary. As was the case last year, the linebackers are the question mark. However, there is much more experience than last year and even talk of moving someone like a Ricky Sapp off the defensive line because of his ability to play in space and the depth and quality on the line. Look for a Daquan Bowers to shine even more with one year of experience under his belt. Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler will patrol the corners and both have the potential and experience to have great years especially under Steele's new defense. One of the linebackers like a Scotty Cooper or Brandon Maye could step up and make this defense really special. However, if the defensive line can put pressure on the quarterback and running game and the secondary have solid coverage then the skies the limit for these guys.

After last years disaster of being blown out by Alabama, looking dreadful against Wake Forest, and the second half collapse with Maryland; it's hard for any experts to rate this Clemson team very high in the ACC. So the only pressure should come from the Clemson faithful and within the Tiger's program. Will this be the year the Tiger's overachieve with the talent on the field or turn into another mediocre year by Clemson standards with another defeat of South Carolina to lessen the pain.

Each year I get so excited about the Clemson football team. From my junior year of high school till my senior year graduating from Clemson, I only missed one game. And though I can't attend games now due to distance and money constraints, I still love this time of year. I want to believe this is the year that Clemson rises to level of my expectations and goes to the ACC Championship Game and wins the thing followed by a thrilling BCS Bowl win against a team favored to beat us.

I would love to be sitting here next year writing how the Tiger's finally met expectations in 2009 and come into 2010 with a chance to challenge for the BCS Championship. But like I said at the beginning, no one has higher expectations than the Clemson fans.

What Makes Your Team Special?

Jon Parker — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:10:17 -0400

Why do you pull for your team? Is it because they are who everyone else is pulling for? Is it because you like their colors? Is it their coach or a certain player? For me, being a Clemson Tiger is in my blood, literally. I grew up with a Dad who loved Clemson, so wanting to be just like my Dad I grew up with the orange and purple.

I remember going with my Dad to the ACC regular season basketball game against Duke which got us the ACC title as a Junior in high school only to get home around 3 AM in the morning but still made it to school to talk junk to the Dookies.

I remember Saturdays watching Clemson football with my Dad. I remember getting season tickets for the home games my Junior and Senior year in high school. I remember going to away games at Virginia Tech, Duke, and NC State. I remember getting that acceptance letter in the mail to Clemson University.

I remember going to games my Freshman year with my Dad and Mom. But I'll never forget a Clemson Baseball game my Freshman year at Clemson. We played South Carolina and won in a dramatic walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth. I'll never forget my Dad having chest pains. I'll never forget getting him rushed to the hospital.

I'll never forget him spending the whole week in the hospital while I had to try and concentrate and take final exams. I'll never forget both of coming home on Saturday (he from the hospital, me from college). I'll never forget spending the whole day Sunday watching sports which is what we loved to do most.

I'll never forget on Monday morning waking up to him not being able to breath and ultimately being the last person to see him alive.

So my Dad's been gone now for 18 years but I remember him because Clemson was in his blood and now is in mine. I live in North Carolina with a bunch of Duke, UNC, and NC State fans and they get tired of me wearing orange all the time. But you see when I wear orange I remember my Dad.

I remember those days basking in the sun at football stadium, I remember the glow of the lights over the baseball field, and remember the bounce of the ball on the hardwood. Every time I think about Clemson, I think about my Dad. Why do you pull for you team? For me, it's in my blood.