The
consensus All-American tackle has to
be a big factor when helping the running
game move the chains.
DE
Ricky Sapp will test these Bama tackles
with his pass rushing skills.
The
Tide has not produced a punishing,
hard-hitting rushing attack in recent
years, with problems especially running
between the tackles. Expect this to
change for this tussle. RB Terry Grant
can get yards once past the line of
scrimmage; he set school freshman
records last fall. Depth will not
be a problem either. Glen Coffee and
Roy Upchurch will also be getting
a solid amount of reps in keeping
this entire group fresh. The biggest
reason has to be the strength of this
OL. A pair of Outland Trophy candidates
bolsters the unit, with Andre Smith
at tackle and Antoine Caldwell at
center. Alabama should have its most
success against Clemson’s front
seven since the Tiger linebacking
spots have been retooled.
But
do not overlook the strength of this
Tiger defensive line. The confrontations
up front between these two should
be some of the most intriguing that
day. This DL unit is extremely deep...a
key aspect for constantly rotating
players with little drop-off. This
should be a breakout season for DE
Ricky Sapp, the team's best pass rusher.
A key match up to watch will be when
Sapp lines up across from All-American
tackle Andre Smith...a battle of future
NFL players. The big questions are
at linebacker, where Nick Watkins
and Tramaine Billie are gone. The
dismissal of Cortney Vincent this
off-season only compounded their concerns.
The answers of how good this defense
can be get will be tested in this
hefty opener, especially in regards
to how good the run support will be.
Despite the fact that the Tigers were
fairly stingy a year ago against the
run, after steadily improving over
the past few seasons, it may not be
quite the same case for 2008 as they
go up against a tough SEC opponent,
especially when matching up with the
Tide’s quality offensive line.
SLIGHT
EDGE: ALABAMA
WHEN
CLEMSON RUNS
Watch
out! This Clemson dual rushing
attack utilizing Preseason All-American
James Davis (thunder) and speedy
partner C.J. Spiller (lightning)
may be the best tandem across
the entire country. Give them
a small gap and they will make
you pay. However, the unit that
is likely to hold them back
will be the guys doing the blocking.
This is by far the biggest question
mark for the entire team. They
will have to fare much better
than they did a year ago, and
that won't be easy with four
starters gone. Other than Thomas
Austin at center and Chris Hairston
at tackle, coaches are not really
sure what to expect from this
group against such top competition.
In
contrast, the issues that face
the Alabama defense are eerily
similar to those at Clemson.
The defensive line is talented,
but the linebacking crop has
mega question marks, theirs
due to suspensions and dismissals.
But unlike the Tigers, depth
is a much bigger concern up
front. Interior linemen Greenwood,
Washington and Deaderick are
likely to have some success
versus their opposing blockers,
but they will have to log way
more snaps. They’d better
be in shape and ready to play
60 minutes of football. For
once Davis and Spiller get past
the line of scrimmage, Bama
may not have anyone behind them
capable of getting their hands
on these running backs. Rolando
McClain, while superb as a frosh
last season, is the only experienced
linebacker. As the game wears
on, Clemson’s big plays
may start to be the factor.
SLIGHT
EDGE: CLEMSON
Keeping
one of the best RB duos in the
nation from making big gains will
be difficult.
The
only returning LB with real experience
had a superb freshman season last
fall.
WHEN
ALABAMA PASSES
The
third year starter at QB will
have to operate under his third
offensive coordinator.
The
All-American safety is the leader
of the best secondary in the ACC.
Quarterback
John Parker Wilson returns for
his third season as the starter.
The reviews on Parker have been
a mixed bag based on inconsistency.
Much of this also has to do
with Wilson having to deal with
three different offensive coordinators
during his span. The newest
offense under OC Jim McElwain
is lacking big play receivers
since Keith Brown and D.J. Hall
moved on. So expect a more dink-and-dunk
passing attack, which is not
likely to be too effective against
these speedy defensive backs.
Parker at some point will have
to try and stretch the field.
In the past this would usually
wind up equaling costly interceptions.
The same is likely to be true
in this opener. Heralded incoming
receiver Julio Jones gets to
make his debut against some
of the best corners in the ACC.
Don't expect this to be his
break out day.
The
No. 1 ranked pass defense in
the ACC returns all four starters
led by All-American safety Michael
Hamlin and Jim Thorpe Award
candidate Chris Chancellor.
Flat out, the secondary is the
teeth of this Clemson squad.
Four contributors at CB were
big time prep recruits, making
this squad extremely rich. There
is no reason to believe these
marginal Alabama receivers can
match up with the likes of this
veteran star power. This is
the biggest advantage on either
side of the ball, and Clemson
owns it.
BIG
EDGE: CLEMSON
WHEN
CLEMSON PASSES
When
searching for a dark horse Heisman candidate,
look no further than Cullen Harper. The
senior QB is poised to continue the same
success(es) that carried this Tiger passing
attack a year ago. Harper's 27 touchdowns
to merely six interceptions ratio proves
how wise his decision-making has become.
The offensive skill positions at Clemson
are as good as it gets in college football;
the Tiger receivers exemplify this fact
as much as the RBs do. Senior Preseason
All-American Aaron Kelley headlines a group
worthy in respect to Harper's experienced
arm. The run-pass balance is what has made
Clemson such a highly regarded program heading
into 2008. With Clemson’s run game
guaranteeing nothing versus Saban’s
stoppers, look for Harper to start by establishing
the pass in an effort to open up the field.
While
the Alabama secondary is solid at safety
with All-SEC performer Rashad Johnson, the
rest of the bunch remains a mystery, though,
they do have talent. Some of these youngsters
have big time potential such as Javier Arenas
and Justin Woodall. They just need to show
how they react when playing every down.
Man for man, they don't stack up consistently
well with these Tiger receivers. Breaking
in some new faces will prove to be a problem
in the opener against Clemson’s corps.
BIG
EDGE: CLEMSON
The
senior QB is a legitmate Heisman candidate
with plenty of weapons at his disposal.
The
Tide has an All-American safety of their
own and he is the team's leading returning
tackler and interception king.
SPECIAL
TEAMS
The
Tide has no problems here. Kicker
Leigh Tiffin's 111 points last year
set the school single-season record
(by a kicker). His 10 field goals
from 40+ led the SEC. If the game
comes down to a last second field
goal, the Tide wins. Also keep an
eye on a very dangerous Javier Arenas
when it comes to returning kicks.
He can go the distance (his 15.4 yards
per punt return ranked 12th nationally
last fall). The Tide is going to need
some big time plays out of this group
to pull the upset, and they just may
get it.
The
Tigers struggled badly trying to cover
kicks, giving up two returns for touchdowns
and giving opposing offenses a short
field way too many times. The same
punters and kickers are back, but
the FG unit has been a nightmare at
times. If Alabama wins this game,
special teams will likely play a bigger
factor than usual. At the same time,
don't count out Clemson return man
C.J. Spiller. He is capable of doing
much the same as Arenas. A touchdown
waiting to happen exists with these
two. In fact, count on one in this
game, and likely from the winner.
EDGE:
ALABAMA
FINAL
OUTLOOK
Clemson
is the team with a target on their
chest. The knock on head coach Tommy
Bowden has been that he does not fare
well when expectations have been high.
Losing to Alabama in the opener would
crush this team and the heat on Coach
Bowden would intensify before September
even gets here. Given this fact, the
game seems to be way more important
for the Clemson players; this is a
"must-win" situation, even
this early. Normally, this would be
major pressure. Fortunately Clemson
is a veteran ball club at the most
crucial positions. Where the Tigers
could waver is within the newly rebuilt
offensive line.
Less
experienced Alabama has to take advantage
by being aggressive on defense, especially
with their front seven. The Crimson
Tide offense is not good enough to
outscore the Tigers in a shootout.
The only problem with being so aggressive
is that it leaves them open for big
plays, and with veteran players like
Davis, Spiller, Harper and Kelly on
the other side, such would prove to
be disastrous. Ball control also has
to be a key element for Bama. If Grant
and Wilson can keep the chains moving
via the run and pass, respectively
(which did not happen much last fall),
they can keep it close heading into
the fourth quarter, which is essential.
However, Clemson has the overall depth
advantage. If the game is close late,
fresh legs could prove to be the big
difference.
As
mentioned, Clemson is a big play type
of team, where Alabama is quite the
opposite. In the end, the second half
proves to be too much for Saban’s
troops. Clemson and coach Tommy finally
smile after shooting down their many
critics by winning a big game early.
The Tide will regroup and eventually
become a factor in the SEC West. If
Bama wins, they are not capable of
doing it by a large margin. That character
trait resides within their opponent.
It could be closer than some might
think. That is how the openers work
out for most teams, regardless of
the people and/or teams involved.
