Clemson hopes to shake Winston-Salem woes

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Monday, October 02, 2006  |  Comments( 6 )

Clemson Tigers
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A rivalry that probably shouldn't be a rivalry at all is brewing this week in Winston-Salem, N.C., and the Clemson Tigers will be required to remain focused if head coach Tommy Bowden expects to end his streak of unpleasantness against a solid Wake Forest team.

Ranked 15th in the AP and coaches Polls, the Tigers, who are sitting comfortably at 4-1 (2-1), appear to be the heavy favorite against a traditionally mediocre and predictable Wake Forest squad. Recent history, however, shows that the consequences will be drastic if the Tigers underestimate this talented Demon Deacon team.

This season, the Deacs have two significant factors going for them against the Tigers that could very well determine the outcome of this weekend's game.

First off, the Deacons, though largely untested, are carrying the momentum of an undefeated season onto their home field this weekend. Led by a defense that has proven to be nearly flawless this season, Wake is one of only 13 undefeated teams remaining this season. The Deacs currently possess a 5-0 (1-0) record and a margin of victory over 13 points per game.

The most important factor in this year's game, however, is the fact that the Deacs are playing the Tigers at home in Winston-Salem. Although Wake lacks a large and intimidating fan base, the Tigers are 0-2 in their last two visits to Winston-Salem. Under Bowden, the Tigers have a history of dropping games to opponents that are generally considered weaker teams, and the Demon Deacons have played one of the larger roles in that history.

Questions surrounding the Tigers' recent history and ability to remain consistent were hushed, though, following Clemson's 52-7 and 51-0 thrashings of UNC and La. Tech over the last two weeks. Those questions could return just as quickly as they left, however.

At the moment, statistically, Wake appears to be an immovable defensive force. The Deacons have played very sound football, and are currently ranked 24th in total defense with 273 yards per game, 16th in rushing defense with 78.2 yards per game, and ninth in scoring defense with an impressive 10.6 points per game.

The Tigers, however, are considered to be one of the most well-rounded and efficient teams in the nation. Both the offense and the defense rank among the nation's best, and Bowden's Tigers seem more focused than ever to take themselves to the top.

Clemson's defense is currently 11th in the nation in rushing defense, 15th in scoring defense and ninth in total defense. The Tigers' offense is even better, ranking 11th in with 445 yards per game, seventh in the nation in rushing with 240 yards per game, and second, only to Louisville, in scoring offense with a staggering 43.4 points per game.

History says the Tigers will likely struggle against the Deacs this weekend, but this year's team seems to think otherwise. Starting FS Michael Hamlin is expected to return after a foot injury suffered early in the season, senior wideout Chansi Stuckey is having the best season of his career, and star RB James Davis leads the nation with 11 touchdowns.

The Demon Deacons do have the bragging rights from recent contests, but they are facing their first real challenge of the season. Not only should the Tigers end their winless drought in Winston-Salem, but they should blow out a largely unproven Wake Forest team.

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CommentsComments: 6  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Clem		06:57 AM
10/03/2006
I hope to make this trip and watch your prediction unfold. I am sick of this "rivalry" and Wake having the two wins to ...
No.2
JOJO		08:21 AM
10/03/2006
This will be the year the monkey comes off of the Tigers back. The way they look now they are going to put up big numbers once ...
No.3
Matt		11:09 AM
10/03/2006
Our first loss to Wake 3 years ago was arrogance. Our second loss last year was poor preparation. This season, Bowden won't ...
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