2011 Clemson Football Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Clemson Tigers come into the 2011 season off their first losing season since 1998. The Tigers went 6-6 (4-4 ACC) in the regular season, but lost to the USF Bulls in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The Tigers were much better than their final record. Their four conference losses came by a combined 29 points. Clemson returns 14 starers from last year, but just five of them come on the defensive side of the ball. On top of that they will have to replace their best defensive players in defensive end Da’Quan Bowers (15.5 sacks). While the Tigers have a great recruiting class coming in, I don’t expect this team to compete for a division title in the ACC this season.
To get a better idea of what the Tigers will look like this season, here is a look at who they will be sending to the field on both sides of the ball, plus I give my prediction on where they will finish the season in the ACC.
Offense:
Starting quarterback Kyle Parker has decided that he won’t return to the Tigers for his junior season. Parker has decided to pursue a career in the MLB. The loss opens the door for sophomore Tajh Boyd, who completed 52% of his passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns in limited action. If the Tigers aren’t sold on Boyd in fall practice, they will likely turn to true freshman Tony McNeal.
Clemson loses their leading rusher from last year in Jamie Harper (838 yards, 7 touchdowns), but should have even better numbers on the ground this season if junior Andre Ellington can stay healthy. Ellington was second on the team with 686 yards and led the team with 10 touchdowns, but started just six games because of injury. The Tigers also have a couple of solid backups in sophomore Roderick McDowell and true freshman Mike Bellamy.
The fact that the Tigers return their top two receivers and starting tight end Dwayne Allen, it should make life a lot easier for whoever wins the quarterback job. Sophomore DeAndre Hopkins led the team with 52 catches for 637 yards and four touchdowns, while fellow sophomore Bryce McNeal was second on the team with 32 catches for 405 yards and three scores. Also look for true freshman Sammy Watkins and redshirt freshman Joe Craig to step in and contribute right away.
Another reason the Tigers offense should be just fine with a new starting quarterback is the fact that they return four starters up front on the defensive line. They do have to replace 1st Team ACC left tackle Chris Hairston, but the hope is that sophomore Brandon Thomas can step in and hold his own. If Thompson isn’t ready they will likely turn to senior Phillip Price.
Defense:
Not only do the Tigers lose Bowers off the defensive line, but they also lose 1st Team ACC defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins. They do bring back a couple of solid starters in senior defensive end Andre Branch and senior defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, but you have to wonder how much of their success was a result of how well Bowers and Jenkins played. Junior Malliciah Goodman is expected to take over for Bowers, while senior Rennie Moore should step in and start for Jenkins.
The loss of talent up front might be even more noticeable with just one starter back at the three linebacker spots. Junior middle linebacker Corico Hawkins is the leading tackler back from last season, and is going to have to really step up his game this season. Sophomore Quandon Christian and true freshman Stephone Anthony have the talent to start, but the lack of experience could cost this team early in the year.
Clemson will also have a couple of new starters in the secondary. They bring back junior corner Xavier Brewer and talented junior safety Rashard Hall, but this unit figures to be down a notch this season. Senior Coty Sensabaugh is the leading candidate to take over at the other corner spot, while junior Jonathan Meeks will likely take over at the open strong safety position.
SEC Prediction: 3rd ACC Atlantic – While I don’t think the loss of Parker will hurt this team as much as some people might think, I do think the defense is going to struggle to come close to the numbers it put up last season. I still think the Tigers will be a competitive team, but I have them finishing behind Florida State and NC State in the ACC Atlantic.
Got something to say?
- Buy Jack's Picks
- Sports Picks
- Free Football Picks
- Football Betting
- Football Betting Forum
- Article Archives
- College Football Picks
- NFL Picks
- NBA Picks
- NCAA Basketball Picks
- Baseball Picks
- NHL Picks
- College Bowl Picks
- Super Bowl Picks
- College Football Lines
- NFL Spreads
- NBA Spreads
- NCAA Basketball Lines
- Baseball Lines
- NHL Lines
- College Bowl Odds
- Super Bowl Odds
- Betting Trends
- Gambling
- Handicappers
- Handicapping
- Matchups
- Odds Explained
- Predictions
- Standings
- Sportsbooks
- Weekly Picks
- Heisman Odds