In Depth Look: Clemson Tigers
Last time, I looked at the whole ACC, and predicted that the Virginia Tech Hokies would meet the Clemson Tigers, and the Hokies would win the conference for the second year in a row.
But, since Clemson is a local team (along with Georgia and South Carolina..and no, I'm not looking at Georgia Tech or the North Carolina schools) I figured I'd do a more in depth look at the prognosticators favorite to win the conference, to see if I missed anything.
I'll look at the strengths of the team.
1. Skill positions
-The Tigers have very good skill position players. Just look at the backfield, and running back James Davis. The guy is a workhorse, and if his shoulder is 100%, he is a top 5 back in the country. Also, the wide receivers are good. Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, and Jacoby Ford make a strong trifecta. Kelly the possession, Ford the speedster (a consistent 4.2 in the 40, and is blazing at the 100 meter in track), and Grisham the all around good guy. Tight end looks like it is growing with back up Brian Linthicum and incoming freshman Dwayne Allen.
Plus, the backups seem to have potential written all over them in wideouts Xavier Dye, Brandon Clear, and Marquan Jones, and RBs Jaime Harper and Andre Ellington. If that potential comes through, time will tell.
2. Defensive Line
-The line for the Tigers is fiesty, fast, and fierce. The line will be anchored by tackles Rashaad Jackson (6'2 280) and Dorell Scott (6'4, 320). The speed rush will come from a set of former high school teammates in Ricky Sapp and true freshman DaQuan Bowers. The line also looks to have depth with tackles Jaime Cumbie and Jarvis Jenkins, and ends Kourtnei Brown and Andre Branch.
3. Secondary
-This group again is fast and has depth. Corners Chris Chancellor, Crezdon Butler, and Marcus Gilchrist make a strong trio, and Coty Sensebaughn came on nicely in the spring. Safeties Michael Hamlin, Chris Clemons, newcomer Spencer Adams, and DeAndre McDaniel (assuming he is still on the team after an assault and battery charge) look to add a strong rotation.
And now, for the evens...or the things that aren't necassarily strong, but aren't weak either.
1.Quarterback
-Cullen Harper is said to be a dark horse Hiesman candidate, as well as a top ACC signal caller. He is also set to break more Clemson records. The only problem I have with Harper is that, when top talent came a knocking, he wasn't as effective, mostly, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Auburn (granted his shoulder wasn't 100% for that game). Not all the blame goes to him in those games, his playmakers simply didn't make the other side of the pass play i.e. catching the ball.
And weaknesses...
1. Offensive line
-This is the biggest question mark going for Clemson. Who will play offensive line besides center Thomas Austin? At right tackle, Chris Hairston has the most experience (roughly a game), but Landon Walker will push him, but I think Hairston holds onto the spot..at least until next season.
At left tackle, a gaping hole left by All-American Barry Richardson will attempted to be filled by Cory Lambert or converted defensive tackle Jock McKissic. Also, watch for freshman Antoine McClain to scratch the two deep.
At guard, Jamarcus Grant (LG) and Barry Humphries (RG) has loose grips on the spots. Grant will really be pushed by RS Freshman David Smith, who (Smith) I predict will eventually win the spot, while Humphries will hold onto his.
So, my prediction of Lambert (LT), Smith (LG), Austin (C), Humphries (RG), and Hairston will have to gel quickly for the opening game against Alabama. The problem is that experience is in short supply, and experience is just as vital to an O-lineman as talent.
2. Linebacker
-The group got decimated in the offseason. Nick Watkins and Tramaine Bille both graduated, and Courtney Vincent got kicked off after a drunk driving charge (all 3 were starters). The only backer with experience is Outside man Kavell Conner. Past that, experience is almost nothing.
Scotty Cooper steps into the other outside spot, and should hold onto it. Brandon Maye, although inexperienced, is supposedly better than Vincent in the middle.
The question isn't talent for Clemson, it is how that talent will equate to the field with little to no experience.
3. Tommy Bowden
-Yes, the head coach is a weakness. The past 3 years especially, Bowden has held back teams that could've, and probably should've won the conference by now with Florida State and Miami both in rebuilding. Bowden has had 10-2 talent the past few years, but his 6-6 coaching has held them to 8 wins a year roughly.
For Clemson to win, Bowden has to keep his team focused, and his team has to overcome his coaching inadequacies. There is no question Bowden can recruit talent. The question is can Bowden bring that talent to its full potential. History argues no.
I really think the inexperience at offensive line, as well at linebacker, will hurt Clemson in the early season. Luckily, after Alabama, the Tigers get NC State sandwiched between The Citadel and South Carolina State. By then, what problems they started with should be fixed, and the Tigers should be in good shape.
Next is a good tune up game at Maryland (or at least it should be) before the game that may decide the division, Wake Forest. Georgia Tech follows the Dec's game, which Clemson should win, but this could be a trap game. Next is Matt Ryan-less Boston College that Clemson should also win, but close.
Bowden Bowl is next, followed by two gimmes against Duke and Virginia before the South Carolina Gamecocks come to town for the Palmetto Bowl to close the season.
Alabama (Loss)
Citadel (Win)
Maryland (Win)
SC State (Win)
Wake Forest (L)
Georgia Tech (Win)
Boston College (Win)
Florida State (Win)
Duke (Win)
Virginia (Win)
South Carolina (Toss Up)
Virginia Tech (ACC Title Game) (Loss)
But, since Clemson is a local team (along with Georgia and South Carolina..and no, I'm not looking at Georgia Tech or the North Carolina schools) I figured I'd do a more in depth look at the prognosticators favorite to win the conference, to see if I missed anything.
I'll look at the strengths of the team.
1. Skill positions
-The Tigers have very good skill position players. Just look at the backfield, and running back James Davis. The guy is a workhorse, and if his shoulder is 100%, he is a top 5 back in the country. Also, the wide receivers are good. Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, and Jacoby Ford make a strong trifecta. Kelly the possession, Ford the speedster (a consistent 4.2 in the 40, and is blazing at the 100 meter in track), and Grisham the all around good guy. Tight end looks like it is growing with back up Brian Linthicum and incoming freshman Dwayne Allen.
Plus, the backups seem to have potential written all over them in wideouts Xavier Dye, Brandon Clear, and Marquan Jones, and RBs Jaime Harper and Andre Ellington. If that potential comes through, time will tell.
2. Defensive Line
-The line for the Tigers is fiesty, fast, and fierce. The line will be anchored by tackles Rashaad Jackson (6'2 280) and Dorell Scott (6'4, 320). The speed rush will come from a set of former high school teammates in Ricky Sapp and true freshman DaQuan Bowers. The line also looks to have depth with tackles Jaime Cumbie and Jarvis Jenkins, and ends Kourtnei Brown and Andre Branch.
3. Secondary
-This group again is fast and has depth. Corners Chris Chancellor, Crezdon Butler, and Marcus Gilchrist make a strong trio, and Coty Sensebaughn came on nicely in the spring. Safeties Michael Hamlin, Chris Clemons, newcomer Spencer Adams, and DeAndre McDaniel (assuming he is still on the team after an assault and battery charge) look to add a strong rotation.
And now, for the evens...or the things that aren't necassarily strong, but aren't weak either.
1.Quarterback
-Cullen Harper is said to be a dark horse Hiesman candidate, as well as a top ACC signal caller. He is also set to break more Clemson records. The only problem I have with Harper is that, when top talent came a knocking, he wasn't as effective, mostly, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Auburn (granted his shoulder wasn't 100% for that game). Not all the blame goes to him in those games, his playmakers simply didn't make the other side of the pass play i.e. catching the ball.
And weaknesses...
1. Offensive line
-This is the biggest question mark going for Clemson. Who will play offensive line besides center Thomas Austin? At right tackle, Chris Hairston has the most experience (roughly a game), but Landon Walker will push him, but I think Hairston holds onto the spot..at least until next season.
At left tackle, a gaping hole left by All-American Barry Richardson will attempted to be filled by Cory Lambert or converted defensive tackle Jock McKissic. Also, watch for freshman Antoine McClain to scratch the two deep.
At guard, Jamarcus Grant (LG) and Barry Humphries (RG) has loose grips on the spots. Grant will really be pushed by RS Freshman David Smith, who (Smith) I predict will eventually win the spot, while Humphries will hold onto his.
So, my prediction of Lambert (LT), Smith (LG), Austin (C), Humphries (RG), and Hairston will have to gel quickly for the opening game against Alabama. The problem is that experience is in short supply, and experience is just as vital to an O-lineman as talent.
2. Linebacker
-The group got decimated in the offseason. Nick Watkins and Tramaine Bille both graduated, and Courtney Vincent got kicked off after a drunk driving charge (all 3 were starters). The only backer with experience is Outside man Kavell Conner. Past that, experience is almost nothing.
Scotty Cooper steps into the other outside spot, and should hold onto it. Brandon Maye, although inexperienced, is supposedly better than Vincent in the middle.
The question isn't talent for Clemson, it is how that talent will equate to the field with little to no experience.
3. Tommy Bowden
-Yes, the head coach is a weakness. The past 3 years especially, Bowden has held back teams that could've, and probably should've won the conference by now with Florida State and Miami both in rebuilding. Bowden has had 10-2 talent the past few years, but his 6-6 coaching has held them to 8 wins a year roughly.
For Clemson to win, Bowden has to keep his team focused, and his team has to overcome his coaching inadequacies. There is no question Bowden can recruit talent. The question is can Bowden bring that talent to its full potential. History argues no.
I really think the inexperience at offensive line, as well at linebacker, will hurt Clemson in the early season. Luckily, after Alabama, the Tigers get NC State sandwiched between The Citadel and South Carolina State. By then, what problems they started with should be fixed, and the Tigers should be in good shape.
Next is a good tune up game at Maryland (or at least it should be) before the game that may decide the division, Wake Forest. Georgia Tech follows the Dec's game, which Clemson should win, but this could be a trap game. Next is Matt Ryan-less Boston College that Clemson should also win, but close.
Bowden Bowl is next, followed by two gimmes against Duke and Virginia before the South Carolina Gamecocks come to town for the Palmetto Bowl to close the season.
Alabama (Loss)
Citadel (Win)
Maryland (Win)
SC State (Win)
Wake Forest (L)
Georgia Tech (Win)
Boston College (Win)
Florida State (Win)
Duke (Win)
Virginia (Win)
South Carolina (Toss Up)
Virginia Tech (ACC Title Game) (Loss)
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