So ESPN went and posted what they believe are the top 10 ACC games to watch this season. And no, Clemson did not get all 10 votes. But they did get 5. That is either a sign that the conference is that pitiful or the Tigers are that good. I, of course, hope for the latter.

Let’s see what the schedule holds for us…..

Alabama, the game of games, the hype of hype, the ultraverse championship bound Tigers versus the under the radar highest paid coach in history ‘Bama “Saban” Tide!!! There is so much flip flopping on this game, Jib Jab should make a video on it. I don’t know what the spread is but I am sure that on the “neutral” field it is probably 3 points going both ways. Saban and the entire world know Clemson’s weaknesses and will try to beat the Tigers by attacking the LB corps and the O-Line. Fortunately, the O-line, who I believe are slightly underrated this preseason, have had a salty Clemson D-Line and defensive ends Sapp and Bowers thrown at them all summer long. Add in the addition of the Koenning blitz schemes and the O-Line should hold their own enough to let Harper get some quick releases out early and loosen up the defense. The rest of the offense will unleash the arsenal and score early then proceed to pound out the clock on the ground getting JD and CJ well on their way to 1000 yard seasons. This will in no way be a blowout as Spence will do everything to “just win” and keep it as close to the vest as possible this early in the season.

Clemson 31 Alabama 28

Citadel, this is the game that will allow the offensive line to work out any kinks as well as get the 2’s experience. Same thing for the LB group. Willy Korn, Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington take over the second half along with the rest of the 2’s to show the Clemson faithful what is to come once the talent heavy Junior and Senior classes depart. Citadel gets their cash and takes the beating in an offensive showcase. Citadel is in the top 25 of the Championship League (or whatever the AA’s are called now) so they have to get some credit.

Clemson 52 Citadel 21

NC State, O’Brien may have the discipline heading in the right direction now but the talent is still largely Chuck the Chests team. Unlike another gnome, I don’t see this team as a stumbling block (if so, get ready for the rants on the end of the world). It won’t be the Citadel beatdown but the Wolfpack get the brunt of Clemson’s ACC opener and the Tigers lines starting to click.

Clemson 28 NC State 17

SC State, honestly can we stop getting teams that need a paycheck and get some teams that at least strengthen the schedule!! SC State pulls in the most diverse crowd to enter Death Valley in a while (OK Miami was interesting). Clemson pulls out the whooping stick in similar fashion to the Citadel game and look forward to hitting one of their divisional mental blocks in Maryland.

Clemson 43 SC State 17

Maryland, Oh Fridge, how you perplex the Tigers year in and year out. But this year the Fridge may have done something to benefit the Tigers. He gave up his offensive coordination and handed it to an assistant coach so that he could concentrate on head coaching responsibilities (re: walk up and down sideline). Maryland returns one noteworthy name in Darrius Heyward Bey but lose their RB tandem and most of their defensive starters from last year. The Terps always put up a fight and beat Clemson in Death Valley the last time they came to town. This time it gets scary as Clemson is riding high on accolades from around the nation and forget all about the envy that breeds rabid players trying to take down the top dogs. Tommy somehow knocks some sense into the team in the second half and they squeak by with a win.

Clemson 24 Maryland 20

BYE Week and just in time to prepare for two of what will be the wilier offenses in the conference this year.

Wake Forest in the cursed land of Winston-Salem and their piped in music loving high school stadium. I went to this game the last time it was out there and, as with Walker, hated every cold wet minute of it… until Gaines Adams had the miracle botched kick return. Depending on how the team fares against Maryland, Tommy could convince enough of the Tiger nation that they needed to be in Winston-Salem that weekend to motivate the team. Either way the Tigers play the Terps, the Deacs will have Clemson’s full attention as it gets two weeks to prepare for Grobe and Skinner’s wily antics. Unfortunately, the Deacs get two weeks as well to prepare and have one of the greater returning defensive classes in the conference as well as Sam Swank, Riley Skinner and Josh Adams. Sounds like a powerhouse similar to Clemson and the game will reflect it as the winner of this game should be the divisional champ in my mind. This is a game that the Tigers have to come out of the blocks firing, they have no time to get the previous 2 weeks out of their system as Wake Forest will not let up as this would be their second ACC game of the season and they would have a lot left in front of them to determine where they end up. I agree with the entire pundit nation that this is definitely one of the games that Clemson could lose, unbelievably though, I think that they will get out of Wake Forest with a 4th quarter rally similar to 2 years ago (sans Gaines magic).

Clemson 27 Wake Forest 23

Georgia Tech, and the bipolar 3 point or blowout swing that is this rivalry. As Paul Johnson will have half a season to unveil his new offense the Tigers will hopefully have enough tape to get a game plan together. Throw in that the entire GT team has been gutted due to graduation and this should be considered a GT rebuilding year. By this time the mid-season meltdown media will be in full force and maybe, just maybe, that gameday experience from 2 years ago will return to Tiger Town for part deux. Georgia Tech remembers the last time they were in Death Valley and the national beat down that they received from JD and CJ. Tech sports a decent defensive front 7 this year but Cullen has the seasoned offensive arsenal and depth to just wear the Jackets out. Clemson recaptures the magic on the homecoming before the turn and win.

Clemson 28 Georgia Tech 17

BYE Week, this time the Tigers look forward to a team that they have never defeated in conference and a ‘Noles team that may be steamrolling by this point.

Boston College, at Chestnut Hill…..late in the season. Hopefully Mother Nature plays nice and keeps the weather in a northern fall fashion and not hit the winter points yet. That is the only worry of mine: Tigers in some winter weather. BC has finally lost their golden calf, Matt Ryan, and hopefully their winning streak along with it. Anyone remember how NC State did without Rivers? Yeah, I am looking for something like that to happen. Now the Eagles are saying that their Senior QB is a good replacement in the system but the Eagles also lost their top running backs. The offensive and defensive lines should still be the hard nosed fronts that everyone has grown as well as one of the better linebacker corps in the ACC this year but the secondary might be questionable. This late in the season, anything can happen though. Clemson finally takes a W from the Eagles and move on to Bowden Bowl X.

Clemson 30 Boston College 24

Florida State, and I am not sure what the media is seeing. Yes, Drew Weatherford is one year older and wiser but does that mean anything? FSU does return some of the better receivers in the ACC this season (barring Clemson of course) and decent running game. I think the biggest factor in this game is the home field advantage… if there is one. The ‘Noles are having issues selling season tickets right now so who knows how many will be in there. Also, FSU is having some NCAA issues that may or may not come to bite them at some point. I have no idea what this game will bring as it will be so late in the season and after a draining game against BC. Add that it took a trick play to beat the ‘Noles on their home turf, and that they remember it, and Clemson may be in for the L.

Clemson 24 FSU 35

Duke, alas you stepped in the proverbial pile when they lined you up after a return home from BC and FSU away games. Duke may have a new coach and new schemes but that does nothing against the bitter pill that is defeat and desire to win again. I can’t even explain the beating that Duke experiences in their first visit to Death Valley in years. Clemson takes out their aggression on the poor Blue Devils in attempts to get back in the media’s good graces.

Clemson 42 Duke 13

Virginia, the one game that I will definitely make this year! Al Groh will be looking for his resume by this point in the season and his team will be flat out tired. With the dismissal of the one true offensive weapon they had in Jameel Sewell, the defensive threat of Chris Long and a plethora of other players, this team is gutted. Some pundits see this as Clemson’s final hurdle in the hunt but I see it as the warm-up for USC (oops, can’t use that anymore) I mean South Carolina. Clemson plays through the Hoos with ease and get ready for the Carolina Cup showdown.

Clemson 27 Virginia 17

South Carolina, or Spurrier’s Folly. I am tired of typing… just beat the hell out of them. Like 63-17 type of beating for the farewell game in Death Valley for one of the greater classes to graduate (Harper, Davis, Kelly, Hamlin to name a few).

Clemson 1 Bajillion South Carolina F

Yeah, that’s right I said 11-1. Wake Forest does scare the hell out of me but I hope that Tommy gets enough fan support out there as well as has enough seniority on the team to know how to prepare for the environment. That may come down to a kicking game for all I know, which would be scary as well.

Clemson goes on to play Beamer Ball in Tampa and wins that too!

BCS (not national championship) bound and the letdown occurs as the spotlight and big time is new and the seniors drive themselves nuts in preparation. Tommy can’t keep the composure in tact and the wheels fall off the wagon.

In the end, this normally pessimistic gnome says 12-2 and Tommy keeps his job.

Additionally James or Cullen should be in Heisman conversations through most of the season. Other mentions for awards will be Kelly, Sapp, Hamlin and Jamie Harper.

Clemson coach Vic Koenning is all but calling out Alabama for two NCAA violations. The Defensive coordinator’s recruiting area is in the region of the coveted Alabama freshman WR Julio Jones and BJ Scott. Both of these fresman are now driving new Cadillac Escalades.

“I actually ran into Julio in the spring recruiting,” Koenning said. “I said hello to him. I said, ‘Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you at the end of August.’ And then he got out and got in his Escalade and drove off. That’s serious.

“And then I went over and watched (B.J.) Scott at Vigor High School at the track over there. … He went and got in his Escalade out at track practice and drove off. So I’m familiar with those two guys.”

Hmm, I wonder if any of this will play out over the next few weeks. I sure would like to know where this money came from…

UPDATE from Broken Gnome - 2008-12-08 23:12:00 I see we’ve received many visitors from TigerDroppings.com. Let me apologize for using an image without giving credit where credit is due. Alabama Slim wrote:

someone pointed out the article on this blog to me. I open it and to my surprise the photo with the story is one of my farks. I posted it on the auburn rivals open forum and I guess they took it off there. funny thing is it’s one of my first farks and not very good.

Since I did not write the original post, I don’t know where the image was originally found. However I suspect that it quickly made the rounds of TigerNet, etc. In this instance I naively believed that the source of the photoshop was the source of the blog post. In the future, I, as something of the supreme editor, will attempt to better challenge the other authors here to properly source any borrowed material.

Or the best list I could find as of right now. I hope that they update it frequently. I was looking for the website from last year that had week by week pages but couldn’t search it out. This one should be good to go though. Now all I have to do is find someone who has Gameplan to watch the NC State game.

With the start of the season bearing right down on us, I find myself woefully unprepared. We can only hope that the team is much more ready for the season to kickoff on Saturday night.

For a number of reasons, I’m not too eager to try predict the outcomes of each game for the entire season. Primary among them, however, is my feeling that the ‘Bama game will set the tone for the season. A win in the Georgia dome will propel the team to a tremendous season. A loss leads to mediocrity.

As I begin this paragraph, and look at the last, there is still no clear opinion in my head about the season opener. There’s nothing to do about that, other than to just dive right in.

Alabama - After a myriad of first-game mistakes, the outcome will be determined by a field goal attempt. The kick goes wide, Clemson loses by 2, and the team’s (and fanbase’s) collective psyche is shattered.

Citadel - This easy win balances the columns at 1-1.

NC State - The Pack showed signs of life late last season, under new head coach Tom O’Brien. His rebuilding project won’t be complete this year, but that won’t stop them from starting the season 3-0 and shocking the Tigers in Death Valley.

SC State - Thank God for weak OOC games. The Tigers sawtooth their way back to .500.

Maryland - 5 games in and the kickers will all be headcases. We lose this one due to special teams.

Wake - Sitting at 2-3, the Tigers will finally start to realize that they’d better win to fucking ballgames if they’re going to get to do anything fun at the end of the season. They play up to their full potential and destroy the Deacons in Winston-Salem.

Georgia Tech - With a couple days of extra rest, the Tigers are prepared for the Jackets and are able to finally show a winning record.

Boston College - With 2 weeks of rest and little bit of successful momentum, the Tigers start strong but are quickly hobbled by key injuries in the first half. The Boston weather will be cold and miserable. The Eagles and Coach Jags come from behind to win to add insult to injury.

Florida State - Sitting at 4-4, Tommy’s job is on the line ass is on fire. How convenient, then, that Papa Bear Bowden can be there to “let” Tommy win and find some breathing room.

Duke - Duke does what Duke is supposed to do. Tigers win big.

Virginia - In my years as a grad student at UVA, I went to a handful of Clemson-UVA matchups. Clemson lost all of them. Every. Single. One. I’m going to the game this year, and Clemson will falter.

South Carolina - Tigers romp over the in-state rival, and, despite the lame 7-5 record, Tiger Town is happy because we’re still better than Sakerlina.

Bowl - Win or lose, the bowl game will be schitty. I’ll pick us to visit the new Congressional Bowl to face Navy.

Final Record: 8-5. The agony!

So there you have it, my very own preseason pessimism. Happy Monday!

A note from Broken Gnome: Over the the next several days, each of the contributors to the site will post their individual game-by-game, prognostications. Afterward, we’ll each address some on-going questions about the state of the program and the upcoming season.

Walker’s prediction
It’s that time of year again. A time in which we are all give the chance to prove our knowledge and ability to tell the future. Will Clemson finish undefeated or downtrodden? Will we be able to sit back and read our prediction with pride at the end of the season? Only time will tell. Let’s just get to it.

Clemson vs Alabama
This long awaited game has been on everyone’s mind since the whispers and rumors of the match up started to leak out of Clemson near 18 months ago. After all of the media hype and all of the online bantering it’s time for Clemson put up or shut up. Alabama will find themselves within the average category of the greatest conference in the nation. Historically speaking they are a down team. Last year struggling to finish the season with seven wins, their 7-6 season could have easily just of been 5-7, defeating Mississippi and Arkansas by a field goal. This team also fell to FSU on a neutral field (14-21) and LaMo at home (14-21). Both teams Clemson faced in the same 2007 and defeated (FSU 24-18 at FSU and LaMo 49-26 in The Valley). Both teams find themselves with a 50% win percentage on neutral fields in the last eight seasons. This one will be close, but when you compare a down Clemson team which lost to Auburn in overtime, I feel Clemson will come out on top in the one but not beat the spread. Prediction: Clemson 24-Alabama 17

Clemson vs Citadel
The O-line will have just been tested and have now taken their lumps. After winning a close game the week previous it’s now time for the offensive line to go to school. They open up the holes and start to read opposing D-lines much more effectively. This game will be exactly what it should be, enough said. Prediction: Clemson 52-Citadel 10 (Side note: Citadel’s 10 points will come in the 4th quarter)

Clemson vs NC State
A few of my gnome friends disagree with me on this one, I think they are crazy. NC State has always been a great opponent and the game from what I can remember have been thrilling for the most part: not this year. NC State is an example of a down ACC team rebuilding to bring the conference back. State is returning only 4 starters from their defense and simply will not be able to handle one of the best offensive juggernauts in the country. Clemson just has too many weapons for this team to counter right now. Prediction: Clemson 41-State 17

Clemson vs SC State
The first game in history these two in state teams have faced each other, and when all is said and done the Bulldogs will never come back. Prediction: Clemson 58 – SC State 7

Clemson vs Maryland
As Clemson enters the meat of its schedule a lot of answers will begin to make themselves clear. Harper will appear to be better than last season, Davis and Spiller will be on their way to a 1,000-yard season and ESPN will begin Heisman talk. There is Maryland to deal with though. They should be a good team this year could possible make it the number two spot this year in the Atlantic division. Maryland is returning 8 on offense, which includes a legitimate nationally recognized weapon, WR-Darrius Heyward-Bey. This will be a close game, at least the second closest of the season, but with Maryland’s lack of any real running threat this will be a very one sided team. Clemson’s passing defense, with Hamlin in the backfield will take Maryland down with what I think will be an interception buffet. Prediction: Clemson 38-Maryland 17

Clemson vs Wake
Nationally televised Thursday night game in HD, how sweet it is. Two years ago I went to this game and hated every minute of it, at least the first 42 minutes. This place is cursed. About this time Clemson should be ranked in the top five and possibly looking at a #2-in-the-nation slot. Wake will want to eat our lunch and take us down. They are hungry to be recognized and they can get that by upsetting on the Tigers. Wake will be a great team this year; I hope not better than us. Returning nine starters on defense, this team will be ready to rock and roll on Thursday night. I will say it now, if our O-Line is not ready for a real team by now this will be a low scoring slugfest and Clemson Nation will hate every second of this game. Riley Skinner is back and is what I think to be one of the most underrated QBs in the nation. This will be a tough game and I hope we come out on top. This is a toss up for me but I am going with my gut. Due to stupid mistakes and an offense which will never kick it into gear Clemson will go down in this one. Prediction: Wake 17 Clemson 13

Clemson vs GT
Coming off a loss Clemson is ready for redemption. The polls were not friendly and every AP writer waiting for Clemson to slip has gotten their wish. Clemson has gone from 3rd in the nation to 15th in one week, they are ready for blood. GT is adjusting to a new fun and gun option, which will have actually been tested by VT and BC by they arrive in Death Valley. Their defense is young and it will not be as close a game as in the past. This game will resemble much like the 2006 season. GT is in a down year and will struggle to reach bowl eligibility. Prediction: Clemson 41 GT 14

Clemson vs BC
I’m sick of losing to these guys as is every Clemson fan. BC has possibly taken the biggest hit of any NCAA team since last year. Their coach, Jag, is untested and this will, as I see it, be his first real exam at coaching BC. Last year he managed not to screw it all up with a world class QB, this year BC will be way down and this game will be the evidence. Don’t let BC’s record coming into this game fool you. They will be 6-1 as Clemson steps on the field yet they will be lucky to finish the season 6-6. Clemson will finally get over the awful mountain that has been a perfect losing record against the Eagles. Prediction: Clemson 31 BC 21

Clemson VS FSU
Bowden Bowl X, my how time flys! I bet you feel a little old now don’t you. It’s tough to keep this record going against FSU. This is a key game that we must win to make it to the ACCCG. This is where the entire season will come down to being a success or another “almost” year. FSU is finally getting out of the rebuilding funk they have been in for years now. The team consists of 14 returning starters and Weatherford should have his best year ever with the ‘Noles. This will be a low scoring game that resembles the Wake Forest game. FSU’s defensive line will be much better than last year, so if CU’s O-line is not jiving and ready for another big game we may get a bit abused by a veteran unit. Prediction: FSU 17 Clemson 14

Clemson vs Duke
Let’s take out some frustration. To give the Blue Devils some respect they will be a much improved team over the 2007 team. They will not finish last in the division and look for them to have three or four wins by seasons end. Prediction: Clemson 45 Duke 9

Clemson vs Virginia
I get to witness this one in person with the rest of the Gnomes. The 2007 season for the Cavs will be a memory and the rebuilding will continue. The lines on both sides of the ball are weak and their returning rushers from last season, which didn’t look that great, will be average at best this season. With issues at QB they will be also lacking a passing game. This should be nasty as we look to tighten up questions in the media as we head into the USC game. Prediction: Clemson 40 Virginia 10

Clemson vs USC
Continuing question marks plague the Gamecocks year after year. This year it’s QBs, D and O lines, and whether their rushing defense will be up to the task of a grueling season. Clemson should be able to own USC on the field this year with Spiller and Davis. This game will be won primarily on the ground this year and it will not be as close as the final score will indicate due to a USC score in the final minutes by a desperate Darth Visor fun and gun offense. Prediction: Clemson 28 USC 21

Wrap Up
The good news, Clemson will go 10-2. The bad news, Wake Forest has a weak ACC schedule and will not lose three ACC games. Clemson can only afford to drop one ACC game this year if that game is to Wake. Lose to Wake and Clemson better play lights out all season. If my prediction was to come true, Clemson would not be going to the ACCCG. Yet more good news, we would be a virtual lock for a Chic-fil-a Bowl bid which I feel, no matter what SEC we are matched up with, we would win. Look for Clemson to finish the season 11-2 and in the top 10. The season is not lost, recruiting will be stellar and the season will be an accomplishment for a team which has had an ACC championship drought for many, many years.

So, our military Tigers in the UK are in a bit of a pickle. Only one option for the broadcast of the Clemson v Bama game and it is up for a vote against Mich. St. v USC. Help some military Tigers out and help them win the vote to get to watch their Tigers play the Tide this weekend.

VOTE HERE. scroll to UK then the vote is in the bottom right of the next page.

Resolution to the charges brought against DeAndre McDaniel has been reached. The Clemson Safety, and first time offender, will be placed into a pretrial intervention program as a result of the assault charges placed against him this past June. McDaniel’s status with the team will officially be made public next week after Tommy Bowden makes his recommendation to Terry Don Phillips. Hmmm, lets’ think about this one. I think he’ll be playing…

Update: Great article on the “other” side of the story. What turns out to be the FCA members account.