Prediction time for Clemson Tigers football

By asht0n14  |   Wednesday, August 12, 2009  |  Comments( 0 )

Clemson Tigers
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Clemson has a big hole to fill with the departure of James Davis, but there is no other player in the nation that can fill Davis' shoes better than Heisman candidate and senior RB CJ Spiller. Davis ended up second on the all-time rushing list at Clemson. The Tigers also lose WR Aaron Kelley, who just happens to be the ACC's all-time leader in receptions. Senior WR Jacoby Ford should be able to fill that void if he stays healthy, which has proven to be a problem. Ford is already wearing a yellow jersey in August camp due to an aggravated hamstring that he tweaked in the NCAA Track Championships.

The offensive line is another story all in itself. Yes, the Tigers return all of the starters from last year, which should help with continuity, but lets face it, they were abysmal last year. If Thomas Austin and Antoine McClain can protect the blindside of the new QB then the line should be just fine.

The quarterback race is too close to call right now, but if I had my pick I would say Kyle Parker is going to be the man. To me, he seems to have the poise that Cullen Harper did not have last year. Also, Willy Korn is coming back from surgery on his throwing shoulder and it seems to be bothering him in the first few days of camp because reports say, 1 out of 5 passes from Korn is a "duck."

The defense is going to be solid, if and only if Clemson can find some leadership and depth at linebacker. Brandon Maye has proven he has the ability to be that leader. The defensive line should be at the top of the conference along with Virginia Tech. Senior bandit end Ricky Sapp will be a force to be reckoned with if his knee will hold up. On the other side sophomore DE Da'Quan Bowers, the #2 rated recruit by ESPN, had a nice end to the season last year with 3 TFL in the Gator Bowl vs. Nebraska. We are expecting big numbers from Da'Quan, who can also strum the 6 string with the best of them.

The secondary returns two of the ACC's best CB's in Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler. Junior SS De'Andre McDaniel and his backup Marcus Gilchrist will be something special for the next couple of years. Gilchrist could be moved to FS, and should in my opinion, ahead of starting FS Sadat Chambers. Gilchrist showed some of his athletic ability in the return game last year and will be playing on Sunday's in a few years.

Overall I say Clemson goes 9-3, with loss at GT, at Miami, and Florida State at home.

Breaking in a new head coach in Dabo Swinney, and a new OC in Billy Napier will prove to be a good choice in the future, just not this year. IF Dabo can somehow get 7-9 wins this fall, the table will be set for a National Title during his tenure. IF Dabo stumbles and wins 6 or less then all hell will break lose in Clemson and we will call for his head...just kidding..or am I?
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