Thunder and Lightning set to strike in Blacksburg

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Thursday, October 26, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Clemson Tigers
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

After delivering a 31-7 thumping to Georgia Tech last week in Death Valley, the Clemson Tigers are all set to take on their second Tech on Thursday when head coach Tommy Bowden and his team travel to Blacksburg, Va. Waiting for the Tigers will be the Virginia Tech Hokies, a team whose disappointing season thus far has it out for blood and looking for an upset.

Leading the Tigers is the nation's newest scrambling tandem in running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, both of which have had explosive seasons up to this point.

Davis, who has become one of the leaders of the offense despite only being a sophomore, has rushed for 961 yards on 139 carries - averaging nearly seven yards per carry - and is second in the nation with 16 scores on the season. Spiller, a true freshman, is putting up an argument for National Freshman of the Year with 523 yards and seven touchdowns on 77 carries.

Both Davis and Spiller became household names in the football world after Clemson's shredding of a top 10 Georgia Tech rush defense, when the two combined for 332 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as well as an additional 50-yard receiving touchdown by Spiller. The superstars were soon after dubbed Thunder (Davis) and Lightning (Spiller).

Along with the Tigers' sixth-ranked total offense, fourth-ranked rushing offense and nation-leading scoring offense will be the nation's seventh-ranked rushing defense, seventh-ranked scoring defense and fourth-ranked total defense, led by Bednarik Award semifinalist DE Gaines Adams.

Adams currently has 8.5 sacks on the year, and earned a school record in the Georgia Tech game by recording at least one sack in six consecutive games for the Tigers.

The Tigers are heading into a packed Lane Stadium on a Thursday night, however, and history has shown that the Hokies are nearly unbeatable in such a situation.

Under head coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies are 12-2 on Thursday games, including a 7-0 record at home. The Hokies' two Thursday losses under Beamer were both suffered at the hands of Boston College, and both were in Chestnut Hill.

The Hokie fan base also has a reputation equal to the Tigers' own in Death Valley. Lane Stadium is widely understood to be one of the toughest and loudest stadiums to play in, despite the small 65,000 capacity, relative to most Southern collegiate venues.

Although the Hokies have the nation's 22nd-ranked rush defense, allowing less than 100 yards per game, the 7-1 Tigers' stout rushing attack appears too much. The return of last year's conference reception leader, senior Chansi Stuckey, from a foot injury will greatly increase the threat of a passing game, considering Clemson QB Will Proctor has been nearly flawless on the season.

Though the 28th matchup between Clemson and Virginia Tech will likely prove to be closer than the experts think, a Tiger victory should be expected. The Hokies have history on their side, but the Tigers appear much too strong.

Although the forecast for Thursday's game is calling for light rain, Thunder and Lightning will be sure to make an appearance in Blacksburg.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report