Clemson/Louisiana Tech Prediction
I was close enough last week. I predicted 120 yards rushing from James Davis and 150 reception yards from Chansi Stuckey. Neither of which happened. Just goes to show you that I suck at predicting actual figure totals. The good news is, my blowout prediction was right on the money, and then some.
Clemson came out to make a statement Saturday, and what a statement they made. Granted, it's North Carolina. A team that struggled to clinch their only win of the year against Furman in Chapel Hill. But the way Clemson just took it to the Tar Heels with a devastating ground attack, dominant line play, and mental toughness was a sight to behold. After sitting through so many heart-stopping contests in recent years, nothing beats the pure joy of seeing your team go out and take a lesser opponent to the woodshed like they're supposed to do. I welcome blowouts.
And with Boston College choking big-time against the Pups of NC State, the Tigers are officially back in the hunt for the ACC Championship. We still have a long road ahead, mind you. The Eagles must lose at least one more. And we have to win out. Florida State can still back their way into the title game like last year given the way their schedule is set up, and likely spare Jeff Bowden for another year (don't count on that). Undefeated Wake Forest (!) and State currently sit atop the ACC, but don't expect that to last. We've got a score to settle with the Deacs.
But first things first. We take a break in conference play Saturday as the Fighting Tigers play host to the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Kickoff is 7:00 in Death Valley, and cool weather is promised. A perfect night for football.
If North Carolina wasn't a letdown, then this has all the makings of one. Mark my words, La. Tech has got "trap game" written all over it. Coming off a blowout win. Looking ahead to 5-0 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem next week (when's the last time that happened?). And Tommy Bowden knows it. Which is why he came down extra hard on his players this week in practice, questioning their effort, intensity, and sharpness. Wednesday's was so bad, apparantly, that if the Bulldogs had made last-minute arrangements to play us that evening, we'd have lost. Letdown is the enemy, and I know Tommy is determined to fight it any way he can. But let's think realistically.
The Bulldogs have lost nine starters on defense. Big reason they currently rank 111th nationally in total defense. Their only win thus far was a 31-21 victory over Nichols State, a game in which they trailed 21-7 at one point. All the while getting pulverized by the likes of Nebraska (49-10) and Texas A&M (45-14). We are better than all of those teams. We beat La. Tech silly five years ago with far lesser talent and personnel than we have now, and that was when they had QB Luke McCown (now in the NFL). We shouldn't have any problems tomorrow.
The keys to victory should be the same as last week. Run, run, run, and then run some more. Throw a pass now and then for good measure. The Dogs will try to key in on our ground attack, but their line isn't strong enough to push through our powerful offensive line. James Davis needs to keep hitting those holes and push for yards after contact. Spiller must focus on north-south running. Trust in the O-line; don't stretch the field if you don't have to. Proctor must continue to get the time he needs to sit in the pocket and make a dash himself if he's out of options. His ability to find a receiver on a pump fake or disguised handoff will be crucial to keep Tech's defenders honest. I'm not sure how much of Reggie we'll see Saturday given his sprained ankle. He practiced full speed yesterday, and tomorrow is his birthday, so I know he wants to get on the field. Still, the coaches might hold him out just to be safe and ensure that we'll have him for Wake next week. No problem, since we've got Demerick Chancellor.
La. Tech should test our secondary more than last week, given their penchant for throwing the ball on offense. So far, we've done a terrific job on not giving up the big play, and we need to keep that up. I'm fine with playing soft zone as long as tackling remains sharp. Duane Coleman is one of our biggest playmakers in the secondary, yet he hasn't gotten an interception. But he's salivating for one. Here's hoping he claims his prize on Saturday.
I also expect to see our special teams make some noise. Tommy labeled them "average" this week, which in his words is just as near to the bottom as the top. Ouch. Don't want to take that lying down, do we?
Overall, I'm hoping for another blowout, but the final score may not reflect it. Still we should dominate in all areas of the game and get tuned up for our big rumble next week vs. the Demon Deacons. Coleman gets his long-awaited pick, returns it for a TD, and our special teams blocks a punt for another TD.
My prediction?
Clemson - 42
La. Tech - 17
Clemson came out to make a statement Saturday, and what a statement they made. Granted, it's North Carolina. A team that struggled to clinch their only win of the year against Furman in Chapel Hill. But the way Clemson just took it to the Tar Heels with a devastating ground attack, dominant line play, and mental toughness was a sight to behold. After sitting through so many heart-stopping contests in recent years, nothing beats the pure joy of seeing your team go out and take a lesser opponent to the woodshed like they're supposed to do. I welcome blowouts.
And with Boston College choking big-time against the Pups of NC State, the Tigers are officially back in the hunt for the ACC Championship. We still have a long road ahead, mind you. The Eagles must lose at least one more. And we have to win out. Florida State can still back their way into the title game like last year given the way their schedule is set up, and likely spare Jeff Bowden for another year (don't count on that). Undefeated Wake Forest (!) and State currently sit atop the ACC, but don't expect that to last. We've got a score to settle with the Deacs.
But first things first. We take a break in conference play Saturday as the Fighting Tigers play host to the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Kickoff is 7:00 in Death Valley, and cool weather is promised. A perfect night for football.
If North Carolina wasn't a letdown, then this has all the makings of one. Mark my words, La. Tech has got "trap game" written all over it. Coming off a blowout win. Looking ahead to 5-0 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem next week (when's the last time that happened?). And Tommy Bowden knows it. Which is why he came down extra hard on his players this week in practice, questioning their effort, intensity, and sharpness. Wednesday's was so bad, apparantly, that if the Bulldogs had made last-minute arrangements to play us that evening, we'd have lost. Letdown is the enemy, and I know Tommy is determined to fight it any way he can. But let's think realistically.
The Bulldogs have lost nine starters on defense. Big reason they currently rank 111th nationally in total defense. Their only win thus far was a 31-21 victory over Nichols State, a game in which they trailed 21-7 at one point. All the while getting pulverized by the likes of Nebraska (49-10) and Texas A&M (45-14). We are better than all of those teams. We beat La. Tech silly five years ago with far lesser talent and personnel than we have now, and that was when they had QB Luke McCown (now in the NFL). We shouldn't have any problems tomorrow.
The keys to victory should be the same as last week. Run, run, run, and then run some more. Throw a pass now and then for good measure. The Dogs will try to key in on our ground attack, but their line isn't strong enough to push through our powerful offensive line. James Davis needs to keep hitting those holes and push for yards after contact. Spiller must focus on north-south running. Trust in the O-line; don't stretch the field if you don't have to. Proctor must continue to get the time he needs to sit in the pocket and make a dash himself if he's out of options. His ability to find a receiver on a pump fake or disguised handoff will be crucial to keep Tech's defenders honest. I'm not sure how much of Reggie we'll see Saturday given his sprained ankle. He practiced full speed yesterday, and tomorrow is his birthday, so I know he wants to get on the field. Still, the coaches might hold him out just to be safe and ensure that we'll have him for Wake next week. No problem, since we've got Demerick Chancellor.
La. Tech should test our secondary more than last week, given their penchant for throwing the ball on offense. So far, we've done a terrific job on not giving up the big play, and we need to keep that up. I'm fine with playing soft zone as long as tackling remains sharp. Duane Coleman is one of our biggest playmakers in the secondary, yet he hasn't gotten an interception. But he's salivating for one. Here's hoping he claims his prize on Saturday.
I also expect to see our special teams make some noise. Tommy labeled them "average" this week, which in his words is just as near to the bottom as the top. Ouch. Don't want to take that lying down, do we?
Overall, I'm hoping for another blowout, but the final score may not reflect it. Still we should dominate in all areas of the game and get tuned up for our big rumble next week vs. the Demon Deacons. Coleman gets his long-awaited pick, returns it for a TD, and our special teams blocks a punt for another TD.
My prediction?
Clemson - 42
La. Tech - 17
posted by david @ 2:26 PM
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