Clemson should roll in showdown with La. Tech

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Friday, September 29, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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As the Clemson Tigers prepare for their matchup with Louisiana Tech, head coach Tommy Bowden is using an instance from last week to make sure that his team doesn't get lazy against an opponent that the Tigers should easily contain.

"Colorado, for example, who was 0-3, was leading No. 9 Georgia 13-0 late in the game," Bowden said in his weekly press conference. "There are plenty of examples from week to week where teams can learn a lesson."

This week, the Tigers, who are currently favored by more than four touchdowns, will enter their third matchup in five seasons with the Bulldogs. It also happens to be the third ever meeting between the two.

The first game played between the Tigers and the Bulldogs came in the 2001 Humanitarian Bowl, when Clemson handed La. Tech a 49-24 thrashing in which Woodrow Dantzler, one of Clemson's all-time greats at quarterback, threw for a school-record five touchdown passes. The second game, coincidently, came in the 2002 Clemson opener when the Tigers finished off the Bulldogs, 33-13.

Clemson, which is 3-1 (2-1) on the season, should take the third against the Bulldogs as the Tigers enter Saturday's game with one of the nation's most prolific offenses this season. The Tigers are currently 19th in total offense with 425 yards per game, and are third in the nation in scoring offense with 41.5 points per game.

La. Tech, put simply, doesn't stand a chance against offensive coordinator Rob Spence and the Tigers' offense. The Bulldogs are currently 111th in the nation in total defense and 114th in scoring offense with opposing teams averaging 38.3 points and 432 yards a game.

For Bowden, the Tigers' biggest concern should be consistency and their recent history of not getting motivated against the weaker teams following a standout win or two.

In 2003, the Tigers were handed a devastating 45-17 loss to Wake Forest, only to beat No. 3 Florida State the following week. Similarly in 2004, after dealing the Miami Hurricanes only their second home loss in what was five seasons, Clemson managed a loss to Duke the following week. Then last season, Clemson again lost at Wake Forest, but managed to take Miami to triple overtime, as well as beat Florida State for the second time in three seasons.

With senior QB Will Proctor and a consistent rushing game for the first time in a while, however, this Clemson team appears more focused and determined than any other team Bowden has had in his eight-year tenure at Clemson.

The contest with the Bulldogs this weekend should be yet another blowout for Bowden's Tigers. Clemson's game with La. Tech will be played in Clemson's home stadium of Death Valley, a place where the Tigers have outscored their opponents 106-13.

Expect Proctor and James Davis to, again, put up big numbers, and lead the Tigers to another big win at home.

Original Clemson Tigers coverage, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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