ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Atlantic #3: Clemson
Posted by Brandon Rink on July 1, 2010 under ACC Football | 
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The duo of Jamie Harper (pictured) and Andre Ellington are crucial to the success of the Tigers in 2010.
Projected Record: *Edited 07/22* 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Returning Starters: 15 (7 on offense and 6 on defense; 2 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: Sixth.
Offense Rides On… A wide receiver stepping up to replace Ford. The Tigers will have a quality threat at TE with Dwayne Allen, but finding the go-to-guy at WR will be at a premium.
Defensive Deficiency: Middle linebacker. The Tigers need someone to step up in the linebacker corp – especially for that game on October 23rd with Georgia Tech.
Keyword: Manager – With a new QB at the helm (most likely), whether redshirt freshman Tajh Boyd or redshirt junior Michael Wade, they have to follow what Parker did last season and put the ball in the playmakers’ hands without committing many turnovers.
Position by Position Grades (2009 Stats)
QB: B
MVP: Kyle Parker (2,526 passing yards, 20 TDs to 12 INTS)
Gotta Step-Up: Tajh Boyd (No stats)
RB: B+
MVP: Andre Ellington (495 rushing yards and 4 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Jamie Harper (424 rushing yards and 4 TDs)
WR/TE: C-
MVP: TE Dwayne Allen (108 receiving yards and 3 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: WR Xavier Dye (236 yards and 3 TDs)
OL: B
MVP: LT Chris Hairston
Gotta Step-Up: RG Antoine McClain
DL: B+
MVP: DT Jarvis Jenkins (69 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack)
Gotta Step-Up: DE Da’Quan Bowers (58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks)
LB: C
MVP: Corico Hawkins (19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Gotta Step-Up: Brandon Maye (103 tackles, 7 tackles for loss)
Sec: A
MVP: SS DeAndre McDaniel (102 tackles, 8 INTs)
Gotta Step-Up: CB Byron Maxwell (36 tackles, 2 INTs)
K/P: C+
MVP: Richard Jackson (20/31 FGs, 12/22 from 30+)
Gotta Step-Up: Richard Jackson
Schedule Analysis + W/Ls
| DATE | OPPONENT | W/L |
| 9/04 | North Texas | W 38-13 |
| 9/11 | Presbyterian | W 54-3 |
| 9/18 | @ Auburn | L 24-21 |
| 10/02 | Miami (FL) | W 28-20 |
| 10/09 | @ North Carolina | W 21-17 |
| 10/16 | Maryland | W 35-17 |
| 10/23 | Georgia Tech | W 28-24 |
| 10/30 | @ Boston College | L 21-17 |
| 11/06 | North Carolina State | W 21-13 |
| 11/13 | @ Florida State | L 31-21 |
| 11/20 | @ Wake Forest | W 24-14 |
| 11/27 | South Carolina | W 21-17 |
Bye Week: Before Miami, October 2.
Toughest Game: at Florida State, November 13.
Key Conference Game: Georgia Tech, October 23.
Season Hinges on… at Florida State, November 13.
The Why…
Why Third?: Clemson is a strong contender for the Atlantic Division in 2010, but not having Spiller and possibly Parker – knocks them down just enough to third. There’s just not the depth in offensive threats that they had last season, but the defense should keep them in enough games to contend.
Could be higher if… If the Tigers find a comparable threat at kick returner, Ellington and Harper perform on a large scale, and whoever is QBing the Tigers will make minimal mistakes and move the ball – Clemson is right back in position to win the Atlantic.
Could be lower if… The RB duo regresses in 2010 and nobody steps up at QB. Clemson’s offense also might not matter if running-oriented schools can jam it down the Tiger D’s throat in the 4th quarter (like late last season).
Your thoughts…
Loading ...Do the Tigers repeat as Atlantic Champions? Possibly take it all this year? Or will replacing Spiller be just too much? Let me know what you think with a comment…
Previews So far…
