Clemson/Virginia Tech Prediction
[re-posted from Facebook]
Blogger seems to be down for some maintenance. So I'll have to make use of Facebook's Note feature to post my latest game prediction. I hope you had fun with Corso, Herbstreit, and the gang last week. So Corso's not a jinx after all...
Anyway ... it's another short turnaround for the Fighting Tigers as they venture up to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech. It's our second Thursday night game of the season and second one in three weeks. Coming on the heels of an emotional win last Saturday against Georgia Tech, I'd normally be scared to death of yet another tough match a mere five days later. But these Tigers have inspired me in so many ways this year. They have a cool, business-like manner in games they've won and they've done an exceptional job staying focused despite an injury epidemic that refuses to die. Think about this.
If you had told me we'd be 7-1, 4-1 in the ACC at this point, having lost Anthony Waters and Tramaine Billie at linebacker, Michael Hamlin for three games, Chansi Stuckey, our leading wideout, for two, OL Roman Fry, Rendrick Taylor, and now Thomas Hunter, I'd never believe it. But we've done it. That's outstanding. Sure looks like Tommy knew what he was talking about when he harped on facilities so much to boost our recruiting. It's paying big dividends in the depth we have now.
So there's no danger of a letdown, I don't think. But still, there are other things that scare me.Virginia Tech's "Beamerball" style of play is almost tailor-made to exploit what has been our glaring weakness all year: special teams. No one is more confident than they are of blocking punts and returning kickoffs for touchdowns. I remember in the 2001 Gator Bowl when they swarmed our punter Jaimie Somaini and tackled him for a huge loss. They've got to be licking their chops at our sometimes shaky field goal protection that has already been vicitmized once this year. The special teams play was better against Georgia Tech, but that doesn't mean we've fixed the problem. We'll get a more definitive answer tomorrow night.
Other than special teams, Tech can be intimidating on defense. They rank 22nd in the nation in stopping the run, but after watching our O-line make lunchmeat out of Georgia Tech's vaunted defensive front (without Roman, no less) I think we can handle them. No doubt, their scheme will be very similar to the Jackets. Stack the line up front to clog our running lanes and force Will Proctor to throw the football. He looked a bit rattled on Saturday, and he's still putting too big a blimp under his throws, so that could be a problem. But having Chansi back will be a huge boost. We'll miss Thomas Hunter, though. If he doesn't play, we lose one of our most reliable catchers as well as someone who can take defenders out with his body.
On offense, the Hokies are a mixed bag. QB Sean Glennon ranges from average to mediocre. If we can get to him quickly and force him to make bad decisions, it could be a long night for him. But RB Brandon Ore could be difficult to hold down. He's a hard-hitter who ranks second only to James Davis in total yards per game and his style reminds me a lot of Reggie Merriwether. We'll need our linebackers Clay, Nelson, and Conner to wrap him up quickly while Gaines and Phillip focus on bringing pressure to Glennon from the outside corners. If I were Vic Koenning, I would seriously consider starting Crezdon Butler at corner. He hits hard and has excellent coverage instincts for a freshman. But I'm not Vic, thank goodness. So I'll trust that he knows what he's doing.
On paper, Clemson has the advantage. But paper doesn't factor the intangibles. Five-day turnaround. Blacksburg. Bad weather conditions. Walking wounded. A fourth-quarter struggle is very possible. Still, the Tigers should pull through and escape Lane Stadium with a hard-fought win over the Gobble-heads. My prediction?
Clemson 20
Virginia Tech 17
GO TIGERS!
Blogger seems to be down for some maintenance. So I'll have to make use of Facebook's Note feature to post my latest game prediction. I hope you had fun with Corso, Herbstreit, and the gang last week. So Corso's not a jinx after all...
Anyway ... it's another short turnaround for the Fighting Tigers as they venture up to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech. It's our second Thursday night game of the season and second one in three weeks. Coming on the heels of an emotional win last Saturday against Georgia Tech, I'd normally be scared to death of yet another tough match a mere five days later. But these Tigers have inspired me in so many ways this year. They have a cool, business-like manner in games they've won and they've done an exceptional job staying focused despite an injury epidemic that refuses to die. Think about this.
If you had told me we'd be 7-1, 4-1 in the ACC at this point, having lost Anthony Waters and Tramaine Billie at linebacker, Michael Hamlin for three games, Chansi Stuckey, our leading wideout, for two, OL Roman Fry, Rendrick Taylor, and now Thomas Hunter, I'd never believe it. But we've done it. That's outstanding. Sure looks like Tommy knew what he was talking about when he harped on facilities so much to boost our recruiting. It's paying big dividends in the depth we have now.
So there's no danger of a letdown, I don't think. But still, there are other things that scare me.Virginia Tech's "Beamerball" style of play is almost tailor-made to exploit what has been our glaring weakness all year: special teams. No one is more confident than they are of blocking punts and returning kickoffs for touchdowns. I remember in the 2001 Gator Bowl when they swarmed our punter Jaimie Somaini and tackled him for a huge loss. They've got to be licking their chops at our sometimes shaky field goal protection that has already been vicitmized once this year. The special teams play was better against Georgia Tech, but that doesn't mean we've fixed the problem. We'll get a more definitive answer tomorrow night.
Other than special teams, Tech can be intimidating on defense. They rank 22nd in the nation in stopping the run, but after watching our O-line make lunchmeat out of Georgia Tech's vaunted defensive front (without Roman, no less) I think we can handle them. No doubt, their scheme will be very similar to the Jackets. Stack the line up front to clog our running lanes and force Will Proctor to throw the football. He looked a bit rattled on Saturday, and he's still putting too big a blimp under his throws, so that could be a problem. But having Chansi back will be a huge boost. We'll miss Thomas Hunter, though. If he doesn't play, we lose one of our most reliable catchers as well as someone who can take defenders out with his body.
On offense, the Hokies are a mixed bag. QB Sean Glennon ranges from average to mediocre. If we can get to him quickly and force him to make bad decisions, it could be a long night for him. But RB Brandon Ore could be difficult to hold down. He's a hard-hitter who ranks second only to James Davis in total yards per game and his style reminds me a lot of Reggie Merriwether. We'll need our linebackers Clay, Nelson, and Conner to wrap him up quickly while Gaines and Phillip focus on bringing pressure to Glennon from the outside corners. If I were Vic Koenning, I would seriously consider starting Crezdon Butler at corner. He hits hard and has excellent coverage instincts for a freshman. But I'm not Vic, thank goodness. So I'll trust that he knows what he's doing.
On paper, Clemson has the advantage. But paper doesn't factor the intangibles. Five-day turnaround. Blacksburg. Bad weather conditions. Walking wounded. A fourth-quarter struggle is very possible. Still, the Tigers should pull through and escape Lane Stadium with a hard-fought win over the Gobble-heads. My prediction?
Clemson 20
Virginia Tech 17
GO TIGERS!
posted by david @ 10:29 PM
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