2007 Clemson Tigers College Football Picks & Predictions
June 5, 2008
It took nine games into the season for teams to figure out the Clemson Tigers. Stop the Tiger’s powerful running game, and you’ll stop Clemson. Will Proctor was not good enough to win games with his arm, so teams pinpointed their focus on stopping tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller. This was a big reason why Clemson dropped 4 out of their last 5 games. Now the question is whether junior Cullen Harper will be able to succeed where Proctor failed. That will determine whether Clemson challenges for its first ACC title since the 1991 season.
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Harper took the job from Willy Korn in decisive fashion in the spring after many thought Korn would be their man. Coordinator Rob Spence must insert a deadly downfield passing attack to open holes for Spiller and Davis. Spence also has to find more ways to get Spiller and Davis the ball. The pair touched it a total of 15 times in the 28-20 loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. Those numbers are unacceptable. Four starters are gone from the line, but big left tackle Barry Richardson gave Tiger fans a big boost by returning for his senior season. Junior Aaron Kelly will be the go-to receiver after the departure of Chansi Stuckey.
Star defensive end Gaines Adams is gone, and so are starting corners Duane Coleman and D.J. Gaddis. Yet third-year coordinator Vic Koenning seems encouraged by the talent displayed in the spring. Incoming freshman DeAndre McDaniel, an early enrollee, made an immediate impact by challenging veteran safety Michael Hamlin. Byron Maxwell enters fall camp neck-and-neck with sophomore Crezdon Butler at cornerback. This competition will only enhance the player’s mindset and will make everybody work even harder to get a starting job.
Coaches believe sophomore Ricky Sapp can ultimately be as good or even better than Gaines Adams at end. Junior Phillip Merling takes over the other end and is poised for a breakout year. Rashaad Jackson, a high-energy junior, will demand double teams inside. Linebacker is a glaring weakness in this unit. It all depends on whether veterans Nick Watkins, Tramaine Billie and Antonio Clay can reach their potential. If they are better than expected, this defense will shine. Watkins and Billie, both seniors, were battling hard to remain academically eligible during the spring semester. Clay missed spring practice after having to deal with his sister’s death from an automobile accident. All three guys have to come together mentally.
The offense will only be better if Cullen Harper is as sharp in games as he has been in practice, but that is a big if. Most coaches would give their left leg to have the talent in the backfield that Davis and Spiller display. Clemson opens with a very winnable game at home against rival Florida State, then a couple cake-walk non-conference games to follow. A good start is very likely and this team has the talent to win the ACC, but seven or eight wins looks about right again in 2007.