Clemson Tigers
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney
40-21 at Clemson (5 years)
Review of 2012 Season-
The Tigers were just a few defensive stops away from being undefeated last season. The loss to Florida State on the road cost them a trip to the ACC Championship and despite losing to rival South Carolina for the fourth year straight, Clemson was still close to playing for a BCS bowl bound last season. A win over LSU in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl shocked much of the college football world and gives the Tigers quite the momentum heading into this season. (If you believe in that kind of thing, that is.) Clemson's offense was arguably the best in the nation last season but at times its defense was arguably the worst. The Tigers will have to improve greatly defensively this year. The offense is more than capable of putting up big numbers again. However, if the defense can get off the field and give the ball back to the offense, it will not only allow them more chances to score but will also help alleviate the pressure to score 40 points every time they step on the field.
Key Losses/Key Returners-
The Tigers lost some significant contributors on offense in RB Andre Ellington, WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Jaron Brown, TE Brandon Ford, and C Dalton Freeman. On defense, Clemson is now without DE Malliciah Goodman, LB Johnthan Willard, and S Johnathan Meeks. However, like UGA, Clemson returns one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Heisman trophy contender Tajh Boyd. In addition, RBs Roderick McDowell and D.J. Howard, WRs Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant all return and will get significant touches throughout the season. In addition, the Tigers also will put Red-shirt Freshmen WR Gerome Hopper on the field to give this offense yet another dangerous player with "big play" capability. Defensively, DT Deshawn Williams, DE Tavaris Barnes, and LBs Quandon Christian and Spencer Shuey will help anchor the Tiger defense under the direction of 2nd year defensive coordinator, Brent Venables.
2013 Schedule-
August 31st Georgia*
September 7th S. Carolina State
September 19th NC State*
September 28th Wake Forest
October 5th Syracuse
October 12th Boston College
October 19th Florida State*
October 26th Maryland
November 2nd Virginia
November 14th Georgia Tech*
November 23rd The Citadel
November 30th South Carolina*
#- Home games in BOLD
*-denotes key game
Schedule Analysis-
It doesn't get much bigger than the home opener against UGA on August 31st under the lights in Death Valley. A Thursday night road trip to Raleigh has trouble written all over it BUT I think Clemson's offense is just too powerful and talented to fall to the Wolfpack this season. However, that game will be closer than Tiger fans will like. The road trip to ACC-newcomer Syracuse should be a fun one for Clemson fans and having Atlantic division rival, FSU at home is definitely an advantage for Dabo Swinney and company. The 'Noles haven't won in Death Valley since 2001...that was back when it was called the "Bowden Bowl". Another Thursday night conference clash on November 14th against Georgia Tech will be the first Thursday night game in Clemson since 2002. (I'd rather not recall how ugly that game was.) As always, the Tigers end the regular season against South Carolina. They'll try to snap a four game skid against the Gamecocks but will have to find a way to win down in Williams-Brice Stadium....a place that hasn't been kind to the Tigers in the Spurrier era.
My Thoughts-
I really like this schedule and its setup. I believe Swinney is taking us in the right direction and to be honest, I'd be really concerned if the Tigers aren't able to win another ACC title this year. Playing UGA to open helps because it allows us the time to rebound (if needed) unlike a loss in late September or October would. This could be a very special year for Clemson and I'm excited to see how it turns out. That being said, we have to handle our business (especially at home) and not have our future in someone else's hands. Right now we control our own destiny so lets keep it that way. Lets give a new meaning to "pulling a Clemson" and gain back the respect of the college football world.
Bottom Line-
Clemson wins the ACC and returns to the Orange Bowl this year. First 12 win season in Tigertown since the Danny Ford era when Clemson captured its first National Championship in 1981.
No comments:
Post a Comment