#17 – Clemson Tigers 8-4 SU; 7-5 ATS
Fargo’s Take
- Tommy Bowden has never had a losing season
at Clemson yet it seems at though every year,
he is on the hot seat. That just shows how important
football is in Clemson and that substandard performance
is not tolerated. Bowden has survived a couple
of average seasons and after last year’s
eight-win campaign, the pressure is even higher.
The Tigers four losses were by a combined 14 points
so an above average season could have been a spectacular
season. That spectacular season could happen in
2006 if those close losses turn into close wins.
The loss of four-year starter Charlie Whitehurst
might sound like a bad thing but the passing offense,
ranked 78th and 45th the last two seasons, underachieved
under his guidance and it won’t be as big
of a loss as people expect. The defense, one of
the nation’s best last year, will be strong
once again and gives the Tigers a chance at that
elusive ACC title.
Returning Starters
on Offense – 8 Senior Will Proctor
takes over at quarterback and while he is no where
near the pocket passer Whitehurst was, he brings
a new element to the table and that is the ability
to run. His type of game fits into the system
that offensive coordinator Rob Spence implemented
last season and that is one of ball control. The
rushing offense was average last season but picked
up steam at the end thanks to running back James
Davis, who gained 879 yards as a freshman. He
will be running behind an experienced offensive
line that brings back all five jumbo starters
and is considered the 7th best unit in the country.
When Proctor does need to throw, he can look to
Chansi Stuckey and Aaron Kelly, the two leading
receivers from last season along with sophomore
Rendrick Taylor, who is ready to breakout.
Returning Starters
on Defense – 7 This is where the
Tigers are at their best and if Clemson can strengthen
up a subpar secondary, this defense has the ability
to be the best unit in the ACC. Clemson finished
20th in total defense and 11th in scoring defense
with 316.6 ypg and 17.6 ppg respectively but the
Tigers got better as the season went along and
allowed just 11.4 ppg in their final seven games.
Defensive end Gaines Adams and middle linebacker
Anthony Waters both contemplated skipping their
senior seasons to enter the NFL draft but both
are back and both are the heart and soul of this
defense. The secondary needs to find a replacement
for cornerback Tye Hill, who was an All-ACC selection
last year and considered one of the top 15 players
in the conference regardless of position.
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Schedule
- Clemson doesn’t seem to get many breaks
with the schedule and this year is no exception.
The Tigers do get seven home games but the majority
of those are late meaning a repeat of the starts
to the last four seasons is a possibility. After
a laugher of an opener against Florida Atlantic,
the Tigers become conference tested right away
with back-to-back road games at Boston College
and Florida St. The schedule eases up greatly
with the next five games all contests that should
be won with the biggest challenge in there being
a home game against Georgia Tech. A trip to Virginia
Tech follows, then the Tigers close out the season
with three straight home games, including the
finale against hated rival South Carolina. Miami
is off the schedule.
You can bet on…
Clemson has always been really good and it has
played like it but the Tigers have never gone
into a season as a great team but this is as close
as it comes. If Proctor can manage the offense,
seeing he will not be asked to carry it, it could
be a special year. The Tigers have gone 17-18
on the road under Bowden so winning away from
home is not a problem thus giving them chances
at Florida St. and Virginia Tech. Clemson is 13-5
against the number as an underdog over the last
three years and it could be in that role in those
first two road games. Winning at Florida St. will
be the big challenge as the Seminoles, along with
Tommy’s dad Bobby, won’t soon forget
the 21-point loss at Memorial Stadium last season.
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