Easier schedule should put Clemson over the hump

By Marc Hudgens  |   Wednesday, February 13, 2008  |  Comments( 25 )

Clemson Tigers
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As is common before each season, there should be no reason whatsoever for Clemson not winning the ACC title in 2008. Or at least an Atlantic Division title.

Starting to sound like a broken record, isn't it? But the expectations, of which there appear to be no real consequences upon failure for coach Tommy Bowden, continue to rise.

We've known for a while about all the returning starters from last season. Quarterback Cullen Harper, running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and wideouts galore just to name a few. In addition to the quantity of experience coming back the quality is most definitely there, as Bowden and his staff have enjoyed top ACC recruiting classes for the past three years and those players have since proven to be formidable at the college ranks. Against the backdrop of the ACC's overall talent level, Clemson's going to be loaded, pure and simple.

But what cements the expectations moreso is the easier conference schedule. Although we've all known for a couple of months the Hokies were off the upcoming schedule and replaced with the Cavaliers, it's just recently been made official. No disrespect to Al Groh's bunch, it's crystal clear the Cavaliers are not on the same level as Virginia Tech, a BCS-caliber team and a heavy favorite every year for the ACC crown. While it surprised many last season, Virginia on the other hand is solidly a mid- to low-tier team that has too much to overcome in the Coastal Division to be considered in the conference race.

Although the inaugural game against Alabama in the Georgia Dome on August 30 is a highly important marquee event, it has no impact on Clemson's chances at winning their first conference championship since 1991. But the outcome of the game may be a foreshadowing of sorts, as coach Tommy Bowden's record against SEC teams other than South Carolina is 1-5. And beating SEC teams tends to impress pollsters.

Georgia Tech will likely show signs of retooling now that new coach Paul Johnson is in Atlanta, and Duke may appear different (keyword being "may") under their new coach David Cutcliffe. So Clemson may be getting those two at a good time. However the biggest fly in Clemson's ointment is no longer Florida State; like the 'Canes the Seminoles are a shell of its former self. Rather it will be defending Atlantic Division champ Boston College, a team Clemson visits on a cold November day in Massachusetts and, for all intents and purposes, is owned by.

Will Clemson finally live up to expectation and end the season with a championship ring, or will it end "close" again?
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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