2008 Clemson Tigers
Written July 11, 2008 by Jason Lowry
If you are tired of boring baseball and ready to start talking some football, then get ready as professional Handicapper Jason Lowry is set to make his 2008 Clemson Tigers football predictions. The Tigers are coming off a solid season going 9-4 overall including a solid 5-3 finish in the ACC Atlantic division. The Tigers season didn’t end on the best of notes, as they lost a tough one to Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. This year things might be even better at Clemson as head coach Tommy Bowden returns 16 starters and has plenty of great talent all over the football field. To get a good idea at just what this team will look like on opening day, lets take a look at who they got starting on both sides of the ball in 2008.
Offense:
With 8 returning starters on this side of the ball, this unit is primed to put up some big numbers this season. Not only does this team have one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC in senior Cullen Harper who threw for 27 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions last season, but they have two of the best running backs in the ACC in senior James Davis and junior CJ Spiller, who combined for over 1800 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Things don’t stop looking good there as they have all 3 of their leading receivers back, and senior Aaron Kelly is the best this team has at the position, but don’t look to far behind him and you will find senior Tyler Grisham who had 653 yards receiver last season. If things are going to get a little sloppy on this side of the ball it will happen on the offensive line as they only return 2 starters here. It looks like they are going to go with sophomore Chris Hairston and junior cory Lambert at the open tackle spots, while junior Jamarcus Grant takes over at the left guard spot. If this unit can find a way to click this offense is going to something to watch.
Defense:
8 more starters return on this side of the ball, to a unit that only allowed 18.6 points a game and 263 total yards per game last season in the ACC. The defensive line gets 3 of its starters back, and have a couple good ones in junior defensive end Ricky Sapp and senior nose guard Dorell Scott. It looks like the team is going to go with freshman Da’Quan Bowers at the other end spot, which has to say something about this kids talent. The Tigers are also going to need some players to step up at the linebacker spots, as only senior middle linebacker Cortney Vincent returns to the starting lineup. It looks like junior Kavell Conner will take over the weak side, while sophomore DeAndre McDonald takes over on the strong side. The secondary is where things start to really get good on this side of the ball, as all 4 starters return here, and they have one of the best safety duos in the country with seniors Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemons, not to mention junior corner Chris Chancellor is quite the talent as well.
Prediction: 1st in the ACC Atlantic
Not only is this the best team in the Atlantic division, but we think its the best team in all of the ACC. There is really only 1 question that surround this team and that is how the offensive line is going to perform, if they are just better than average this team will be hands down the best in the conference. We look for the Tigers to get at least 10 wins next season and should be playing in a BCS Bowl game when its all said and done.
Be sure to check back often for more of our NCAA predictions and previews, and before long Jason Lowry will be putting out his NFL preview and predictions. If you are looking for a good place to get started on the upcoming betting season, then check out BetUS.com today.