#17 Clemson Tigers Preview

By: Matt Fargo

Fall camps are under way and the regular season will be here soon so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#17 – Clemson Tigers 8-4 SU; 7-5 ATS

Fargo’s Take Tommy Bowden has never had a losing season at Clemson yet it seems at though every year, he is on the hot seat. That just shows how important football is in Clemson and that substandard performance is not tolerated. Bowden has survived a couple of average seasons and after last year’s eight-win campaign, the pressure is even higher. The Tigers four losses were by a combined 14 points so an above average season could have been a spectacular season. That spectacular season could happen in 2006 if those close losses turn into close wins. The loss of four-year starter Charlie Whitehurst might sound like a bad thing but the passing offense, ranked 78th and 45th the last two seasons, underachieved under his guidance and it won’t be as big of a loss as people expect. The defense, one of the nation’s best last year, will be strong once again and gives the Tigers a chance at that elusive ACC title.

Returning Starters on Offense – 8 Senior Will Proctor takes over at quarterback and while he is no where near the pocket passer Whitehurst was, he brings a new element to the table and that is the ability to run. His type of game fits into the system that offensive coordinator Rob Spence implemented last season and that is one of ball control. The rushing offense was average last season but picked up steam at the end thanks to running back James Davis, who gained 879 yards as a freshman. He will be running behind an experienced offensive line that brings back all five jumbo starters and is considered the 7th best unit in the country. When Proctor does need to throw, he can look to Chansi Stuckey and Aaron Kelly, the two leading receivers from last season along with sophomore Rendrick Taylor, who is ready to breakout.

Returning Starters on Defense – 7 This is where the Tigers are at their best and if Clemson can strengthen up a subpar secondary, this defense has the ability to be the best unit in the ACC. Clemson finished 20th in total defense and 11th in scoring defense with 316.6 ypg and 17.6 ppg respectively but the Tigers got better as the season went along and allowed just 11.4 ppg in their final seven games. Defensive end Gaines Adams and middle linebacker Anthony Waters both contemplated skipping their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft but both are back and both are the heart and soul of this defense. The secondary needs to find a replacement for cornerback Tye Hill, who was an All-ACC selection last year and considered one of the top 15 players in the conference regardless of position.

Schedule Clemson doesn’t seem to get many breaks with the schedule and this year is no exception. The Tigers do get seven home games but the majority of those are late meaning a repeat of the starts to the last four seasons is a possibility. After a laugher of an opener against Florida Atlantic, the Tigers become conference tested right away with back-to-back road games at Boston College and Florida St. The schedule eases up greatly with the next five games all contests that should be won with the biggest challenge in there being a home game against Georgia Tech. A trip to Virginia Tech follows, then the Tigers close out the season with three straight home games, including the finale against hated rival South Carolina. Miami is off the schedule.

You can bet on… Clemson has always been really good and it has played like it but the Tigers have never gone into a season as a great team but this is as close as it comes. If Proctor can manage the offense, seeing he will not be asked to carry it, it could be a special year. The Tigers have gone 17-18 on the road under Bowden so winning away from home is not a problem thus giving them chances at Florida St. and Virginia Tech. Clemson is 13-5 against the number as an underdog over the last three years and it could be in that role in those first two road games. Winning at Florida St. will be the big challenge as the Seminoles, along with Tommy’s dad Bobby, won’t soon forget the 21-point loss at Memorial Stadium last season.

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Matt Fargo is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at www.procappers.com/Matt_Fargo.htm

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