Clemson preview: 2008 is indeed now or never

By Marc Hudgens  |   Tuesday, August 26, 2008  |  Comments( 6 )

Clemson Tigers
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As has been the case many times in recent years, ACC title expectations are alive and well in northwest South Carolina. The only difference this season is that the press made it official, crowning Clemson the 2008 preseason favorite after the ACC Football Kickoff media days.

Coach Tommy Bowden returns a ton of starters on both sides of the ball -- anywhere from 14 to 17, depending on what column you read -- so the manpower is there for the Tigers.

Offensively, running backs C.J. Spiller and James Davis are back to form a tremendous tandem, as is proven quarterback Cullen Harper and last year’s ACC receptions leader, Aaron Kelly.

Defensive end Ricky Sapp returns, and Kevin Alexander is slated to take over for the departed Phillip Merling. Behind them is star recruit Da’Quan Bowers, the nation’s top high school defensive end last year. And of course, Thorpe Award watch list names Michael Hamlin and Chris Chancellor are in the fold to lead a talented defensive backfield.

The Tigers’ losses are few, but those voids deplete entire positions: Four starting linemen from 2007 are gone, as is the entire starting linebacker squad and excellent backup Antonio Clay.

Center Thomas Austin returns as the most prominent starter, and right guard Barry Humphries -- who had a handful of starts last season and quite a few snaps -- is back. Newcomer Jamarcus Grant takes over at left guard and Cory Lambert is now the No. 1 right tackle. Chris Hairston is somewhat new at the left tackle spot, but he played in last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn and did a bang-up job versus former star defensive end Quentin Groves. However, during fall camp Bowden has been upset on more than one occasion with the line’s performance, which reportedly has been inconsistent or downright sloppy. The group has at times committed too many penalties and botched snap exchanges, among other issues. If those problems keep up, Clemson’s ACC title chances will obviously be dashed.

At linebacker, strongside man Scotty Cooper and middle guy Brandon Maye appear to be the most solid locks. Cooper, who came to Clemson as the nation's No. 5-ranked OLB in 2007, is more than talented; he played in 12 games last year, racking up 33 tackles. Maye is on CollegeFootballNews’ 2008 All-Redshirt Freshman Team for defense. On the weak side, tentative senior starter Kavell Connor is being challenged by Stanley Hunter and Jeremy Campbell.

Although the schedule has basically swapped ACC bulwark Virginia Tech for a problem-ridden Virginia team, all three of Clemson’s marquee conference matchups -- Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest -- are on the road. The Tigers travel to Winston Salem, N.C., on Oct. 9, then they go back home against Georgia Tech nine days later; the next Saturday, Clemson ventures to Chestnut Hill, then it heads to Tallahassee the week after. That four-game stretch is Clemson’s gamut; if the Tigers get through it undefeated, they should win out.

That said, Clemson has a knack for coughing up games it shouldn’t. Although many are predicting a 10-win season and an ACC title, it’s difficult to jump on that bandwagon again. The Tigers have the talent to go undefeated, but history says they’ll have another three- or four-defeat campaign. It’s not unreasonable to expect losses to Alabama, Florida State, Boston College and either Wake Forest or South Carolina. The Tigers have always had difficulty with FSU and Boston College -- which they haven't beaten since 1958 -- and have struggled against the Gamecocks the past three years. Wake is a tossup, but head coach Jim Grobe's teams have shown since 2003 that they can be a problem for Clemson.

Should Clemson win the ACC title for the first time since 1991, you can safely say Bowden has finally gotten over the hump. If the Tigers fail, though, it will be difficult to take them seriously until they truly prove themselves.

Simply put, it's now or never for Clemson.
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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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CommentsComments: 6  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
RazzMaTazz		02:31 PM
08/26/2008
We know that an "A" coach like Grobe can win the ACC with a less talented squad. The question is whether a "B" coach like Bowden...
No.2
NB		05:13 PM
08/26/2008
Though I believe this is a critical year for Clemson's elite-status hopes, I also think it is more critical for Tommy Bowden's...
No.3
RazzMaTazz		03:27 AM
08/27/2008
NB: If Clemson blows it this season, I don't think that it will be the beginning of the end for Bowden-- especially not with a...
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