Willy Mac & the folks at Danny Ford Is God were nice enough to include us in this preseason roundtable. All four of us Gnomes were inclined to contribute, and it turns out we aren’t, in general, into the whole brevity thing. So the remainder of the post is, um, long.

1) At this point, if you were coaching who do you start as your top three receivers? Who would you start as quarterback? Linebackers?

Bowman:

Harper as much because of the amount of time he has been exposed to the game at this level and exposure to the offensive game plan under Spence.

Receivers – You have to keep Grisham on the field. You only put him on when it’s 3rd and 4 and you might as well hang a sign over head reading “Bubble Screen.” He is sure handed and though I don’t give him the “#1” tag, I see him as the least disposable receiver in the squad because of his hands and crisp routes. Aaron Kelly should be the go-to player when the ball is inside the 20. We need him to step up on the fade route as well as the jump ball. A lot of people look for Jacoby Ford to be next on this list but I have a feeling our third option in the air will be one of the following three: Xavier Dye stepping up as a frosh sensation, especially if we end up seeing a fair amount of Willy K, Rendrick Taylor from the J back spot and filling in where people thought he would last season, or one of the Tight Ends. I don’t see Robinson being this player but it may be interesting to see what Spence does in a two TE set when everyone is packing the box, if either Barry or Palmer show the ability to shed the End or OLBs and get out in the 5-7 yard flats.

Billie and Clay are no-brainers at this point but who goes up the gut? Right now it looks like Cortney Vincent but I wouldn’t mind seeing a stud underclassman step up and bang heads and stuff the run.

Clem:

Receivers: Wide outs, Kelly and Ford. Slot, Grisham.
QB: Harper
LBs: Clay, Watkins and Billie

Since the day that Stuckey stepped off the field after the bowl game the coaches have been prepping Kelly to be the #1 receiver. I also think that after a decent freshman year and a lesser quality sophomore performance that Kelly will be hungry to get things done, especially with QBs who have arms that can create better opportunities than last year. Kelly’s height and decent speed along with his improved ball handling skills should make him the go to guy this season.

If Kelly can provide the tall threat then Ford will definitely supply the deep threat. Last year Ford was “faster than the QB” in that he would out run his routes before Proctor could get the ball to him. Over the preseason Ford worked on his ball handling and route running skills and in the end earned the coaches’ most improved player award. If Ford has actually improved over the off season, prepare for some of the good ole Whitehurst long balls to open the field every once in a while. In contrast to the prior example, though, this long ball may just find Ford down the sidelines with safeties and corners wagging their tails in pursuit.

Tyler “Glue Hands Grisham” is one of my and Mrs. Clem’s favorite players. Scout.com has pretty much summed it up on this player as the under the radar threat who was second in receptions and TDs last year behind Stuckey. Known mostly for 2 dropped passes in big games last year, this kid is Mr. Consistency whose work ethic and pride in his game rival fellow teammate CJ Spiller. With Grisham in the slot you have a high percentage receiver who you can depend on stretching the LBs. If Ford and Kelly get their respect and pull or at least drop the safeties, Grisham should have a playground in the flats with confused linebackers wondering if they should stay on him, the TEs, Spiller or Harper.

I am all for the glory that will one day be Korn-dom but for today I will stick with Harper. I do not want a true freshman going into a night game in Death Valley for the first time against such an important game. I think that both QBs have equally gained their respect from the team and that both are ready to roll, but for the first game, at least the first quarter, Harper should be the man. I just hope that Tommy or Spence don’t play the same card as the last two years and leave a player that should not be in the game, in the game longer than they should be.

The Linebackers should be who we have been hearing about all summer: Clay, Watkins and Billie. This LB corps is the fear of the ACC, no one returns as much talent or depth at the three positions than the Tigers and I think that these three form not only the best at their positions but also the core leadership that is needed on defense. All three should be proving themselves for potential Sunday night performances in the future and playing their hearts out. Billie, after coming off the sidelines from a well decided redshirt should be foaming at the mouth to hit someone by now. Watkins looks to retain his team leading tackle numbers and Clay comes off an emotionally draining post-season to a refreshed and focused defense. These three are well stocked in the stables with young talent that have been pushing for playing time all summer so they may start for FSU but after the young’uns get their reps in, they may make the 2s.

Walker:

Start Harper this year, we’ll see where it goes. Harper knows Korn is ready to play; it will be the fire under his backside to perform all season. Jacoby Ford, how can I not pick the fastest man alive to not be a top WR. Xavier Dye is getting a lot of solid press and the numbers look pretty good. He’ll need Korn, but we will see where this takes us later in the season. Of course Aaron Kelly will be our go-to guy this season, I hope he will be able to step up to the position. Lastly, any linebacker who can pick up a player by his thumbs, toss them like a sack of potatoes, and plow the road will have my vote. Barry, Clay or Mr. Vincent will all have my vote then I guess.

Broken:

Let me start by saying that I have been experiencing some sort of post-traumatic stress thing brought on by last season. As such I have effectively ignored all preseason reports of hope and hype. Strangely, I expect that such ignorance hasn’t greatly affected my outlook on the season.

As for the question, I’ll list Taylor, Ford, and Kelly as my leading receivers. Harper gets my nod as the starting QB.

2) Game-by-game season outlook… GO.
Bowman:

I don’t even want to pretend to know which way it will go. So much of the team’s momentum begins with the opener against FSU and the following two games which should be pushovers. Our series against FSU has been an odd one. Though the scales have tipped our way in recent years, last year’s game in Tallahassee is really one of the few games that were very close with the Tigers pulling out a W. With this in mind, I’m hoping to see us run away with it and get some second string PT in the process. More importantly I want to get through the first three games with no injuries. This seems to be the crutch we’ve had to lean on for not living up to expectations the past couple years. If we can get out of the first three with little to no action on the injury front, I think we will pull out at least 7 Ws but could realistically be able to win 9, barring a complete mental breakdown like we saw late last season.

Clem:

Clemson v FSU:
FSU comes out in stacked defense and Clemson starts with the play action. After a few run attempts, the Tigers open up the air ball and FSU is forced to adjust to 4 receivers (WRs, TE) RBs and scrambling QBs the rest of the night. Weatherford does not have the nerves to take Death Valley and FSU depends too heavily on the running game and fall short in the 4th quarter. In a battle of young offenses and veteran defenses, Clemson prevails.

Clemson 27 FSU 21 WIN

Clemson v Louisiana Monroe
Harper and the 1s open up the can in the first quarter and Tommy allows Korn to take the 2s through the rest of the game for a glimpse at what will be the 2008 team. Clemson prevails once again.

Clemson 49 La.-Monroe 24 WIN

Clemson v Furman
Furman is coming off a decent season last year and they always play well at Death Valley. Not well enough to win but still well enough to put on a decent game for the upstate fans. Clemson takes another W.

Clemson 35 Furman 10 WIN

Clemson v NC State
Clemson comes off a lackadaisical 2 game series into Raleigh and has to get bitch slapped through the first half to struggle through the second for a close win. I mentioned this as our dumb loss but I see a win.

Clemson 31 NC State 28 WIN

Clemson v Georgia Tech
Tech and Clemson represent that bitter cross conference rivalry that just doesn’t get old. This year the Jackets remember last year’s thrashing on national TV and show that they don’t need Calvin because they have Tashard and that other Johnson kid as well as a QB that has composure. Tech wins in Atlanta.

Clemson 24 GT 31 LOSS

Clemson v Virginia Tech
I don’t even want to think about this game. If Clemson wins at GT and VT somehow takes out LSU early on and passes UNC, this could be the GameDay that Clemson needs for the motivation needed for the big game. VT will win in the end though.

Clemson 17 VT 35 LOSS

Clemson v Central Michigan
This game would be more worrisome if Clemson wasn’t coming in from an off week and loss to VT. The Tigers look for redemption and Central Michigan is the recipient of an offensive beatdown.

Clemson 38 C Mich 21 WIN

Clemson v Maryland
Last year’s game was just a precursor to what the Terps are capable of, this time on their home turf. Clemson just doesn’t get the game together fast enough and Reggie isn’t there to get that last power run in the 4th quarter. Maryland has to play hard the end of the season to keep their ACC hopes alive after losing to Wake early on and Clemson is the team that they need to beat. Maryland prevails as no Clemson fans make the trip to the renowned “worst fan base in the ACC.”

Clemson 17 UMD 28 LOSS

Clemson v Duke
Loss to Maryland? Duke, meet a really pissed Clemson Tiger team. Duke goes down in a mercy kill and Korn may take over for his first ACC quarterly action. Remember UNC from last year?

Clemson 45 Duke 10 WIN

Clemson v Wake Forest
Wake Forest, oh the proverbial thorn in Clemson’s side. No Gaines Adams this year but it’s in the Valley. Wake continues to confuse the Clemson D but clock management wins the game for the Tigers in a close low scoring game.

Clemson 21 Wake 17 WIN

Clemson v BC
The last time BC came to the Valley it was 100 degrees. This time, the heat is still on but this time for ACCCG hopes. Clemson has the home crowd and the memories of last years disappointing loss to motivate them. BC has everything else going for them and pull out the win in another classic BC/Clemson OT thriller. BC also becomes that team that Clemson loves to hate due to the OT loss games.

Clemson 24 BC 31 LOSS

Clemson v USC
Ugh, Williams-Brice and a USC team that is pretty much on probation. Without the ACCCG the Tigers are down and looking at another mid-tier bowl. This is the game where the leadership and coaching need to step up for motivation, but it’s too little too late. Clemson comes in beat-up and drained from the Wake/BC series and tries to come back late in the 4th quarter. But all is for not and USC takes the W from a demoralized Tiger team.

Clemson 17 SC 28 LOSS

Clemson ends with a 7-5 record. No real traditional Tommy flare starting or ending the season strong leaving the fan base to wonder what is left. The fan base will get its pitchforks ready and IPTAY will start using their newly found funds from the reseating of the stadium to threaten a buyout. TDP comes through though and keeps Tommy for one more season after realizing that there is no one out there to replace the coach and bring as much to the table as Tommy has.

NOTE: If you have read my previous year’s predictions or any other predictions I prefer to be a pessimist as I would rather be pleasantly surprised than horribly disappointed. So take all of this with a grain of salt.

Walker:

Already posted elsewhere

Broken:

FSU rolls into town with renewed vigor and optimism. Despite a great game on the part of the ‘Noles, Clemson will overcome.

On September 8th, we play Louisiana-Monroe. On September 15th I’ll ask someone around me, “which team was it that we destroyed last week?”

Furman will frustrate us for 2 quarters. When I return to the tailgate for a beer-or-two at halftime I will be inclined to keep drinking while listening to the game on the radio. However, I’ll return to the seats I paid for the day of the game and enjoy a smooth 2nd half.

NC State will improve greatly under their new head coach. Unfortunately for them it won’t have happened by the time we come town. TB finally beats TOB.

I realize that I just forecast a 4-0 start. Does mean reversion mean anything to you? If it doesn’t, that’s ok. Just know that the trip to Atlanta isn’t going to be worth it unless you just really love the MARTA.

The optimists will expect us to win big against VT after we lose big to GT. The logic is based on a reversal of last year’s fortunes. The optimists are wrong and the Hokies will win. After the game, Frank Beamer will offer to sell Tommy some cheap real estate that is far-away from South Carolina.

Central Michigan… Let’s just say that the trip back to Michigan will be sweet.

Sitting now at 4-3, the Tigers will find motivation to finish strong. Through improbable means, Maryland will lose on October 27th. Every Clemson fan in attendance will be sorry they spent the time and effort to go to College Park because the atmosphere will be just that bad.

Don’t watch the Duke game. Just. Don’t.

Don’t watch the Wake game, either.

BC will travel to Clemson. Poorly. A lone, sad BC supporter will show up with eagle-stamped twenty-dollar bills. Clemson will win the game and every BC fan who supported the removal of TOB will be hidden under rocks or lying about their previous positions.

With the season shot 50 ways to Hell, South Carolina, sans 10 players due to suspensions and/or arrests, will welcome Clemson to town. Spurrier will suffer a heart-attack in the 2nd quarter and Clemson will roll to an easy victory. Unlike the last Clemson victory in Columbia, I will not end the day by hooking up with an Asian girl.

I think that puts us at 7-5.

2a) What’s our one dumb loss of the year?
Bowman:

NC State. They should still be down, we have the better overall squad but O’Brien has Bowden’s number. Glad I’m not heading to Raleigh for the first time in three trips since graduation.

Clem:

Hold on, what’s our schedule look like, let me check my handy dandy Sporting Gnomes ACC Schedule (Available here and updated weekly throughout the season!!! / shameless promo). I don’t see any of the “filler” games being dumb losses. The Central Michigan game does disturb me and might cause some indigestion, but I feel that it is far enough in the season for bowl or ACCCG motivation to be in the cards for the Tigers to keep moving. The dumb loss will probably come to a vengeful NC State team looking to prove themselves after being the bi-polar laughing stock of the ACC the past two years. It’s early enough in the season for everyone to still be trying to figure them out and just about right for the Pack to have break-out game.

Walker:

Central Michigan. They are a decent team with a strong QB (Dan LeFevour) and a stronger RB (Ontario Sneed). This game being our Homecoming I think they will fly in under the radar and the Tigers won’t take them seriously until it is too late in the 4th quarter.

Broken:

Which is dumber, Duke or Wake Forest? I’ll take Duke by a nose.

2b) What’s the one game where we step up as the underdog?
Bowman:

This game is YTBD as we will “upset” someone this season as we typically do to help Coach B get off the hot seat. I see a large ranking spread due to loadings in schedules favoring the other squad. Should MD pull out a 3-1 or even 2-2 record between WVU, Wake, GT, and VT, they may be way up the rankings with a 7-2 record and not hurt by a close loss against VT or WVU. They always play us close but that goes both ways. If we start slow, and they start hot, it could be interesting.

Clem:

I would love to say Virgina Tech but they are going to steamroll through the ACC this year and the Tigers are not the team to stop them. I would say FSU, but is that REALLY an underdog situation? I mean the spread is down to 1.5, I think! I will have to say BC this year. It’s the last game before USC and what could be the Atlantic Division deciding game. After last year’s embarrassment, put it all in Death Valley for the seniors’ last game and you get a 4th quarter, emotional win over the Eagles to go into Williams-Brice on a high note.

Walker:

VT, we’ll be looking for some payback after last season’s thumping. If it is a night game VT better come, ready to play.

Broken:

Maryland. No one will expect us to win in God-awful Maryland. Let me re-emphasize that anyone from any school that I have ever talked to has hated visiting College Park.

3) Sub Korn, who’s your breakout player of the year? Who is a flop for you?
Bowman:

O-line as a group.

I still think Ford is a year away. Too much talk about the use of his speed until he can prove he has the hands to hang on at full stride with someone not throwing up softballs ala Proctor.

Clem:

I hate to sound like I have a gnome-crush on the guy, but I think that Grisham will have a break-out season. Kelly may be in the spotlight for being the top man but with Spence’s propensity to play it close to the vest, I see Grisham getting a lot more touches. He may not have a lot of YAC but he will be the clutch receiver that Clemson will have to keep the defenses honest. I will also be keeping an eye open for DeAndre McDaniel to make his way onto the field and strike fear in corners and QBs mid seasons. Michael Palmer and the TEs will need to step up as well, I would love to see a Jeff Smardja (however you spell the former Irish TE) type player develop for us.

The flop? I hope no one, but someone always doesn’t live up to the hype. From what I have read, Ricky Sapp may be that player. I hope that he can be the able replacement to Gaines Adams that the coaches and fans hoped for. Last season as a true freshman, Sapp had some fantastic plays but, in true fashion, the sophomore slump may kick him around this year. Other potential flops could be the kicking team, hopefully they won’t be head cases like the former Tigers but we won’t know until 8 PM on September 3.

Walker:

Xavier Dye, I think his WR skills will be brought to everyone’s attention. The only problem is he will need Willy Korn to propel him to this position (see next).
Who is a flop for you? Cullen Harper, this will be a difficult season for the Tigers and QBs are known to get axed when they become a headcase. I certainly hope this will not happen but I’ll be waiting for Tommy to please a lot of fans and grasp at straws. This could be his last season so he’ll be willing to sub much more quickly.

Broken:

4) What will be the most overused ineffective play this season?
Bowman:

I think they try to break Jacoby on the quick slant to use his speed but throwing right in the heart of the D can be tough. That or the swing pass to Spiller. The other teams have seen it and will most likely be putting a spy on him.

Clem:

Depending on how well we can get the ball into the field I believe that the Bubble Screen is Spence’s security blanket. With that much speed to access and the potential that you can consistently get 3 to 4 yards off the screen, they will unfortunately stick with that.

Walker:

Running up the middle, with a stacked box, against a quality team, with line full of 300lb linemen. If I see this play one more time my head will pop off.

Broken:

No comment.

5) Who’s your pick to win the ACC Atlantic division?
Bowman:

FSU – Jimbo Fisher and Chesty Chuck begin a revival in Tallahassee. A close win in Death Valley may be the spark that sends this team to the conference Championship. We pull out this win, and it’s a crap shoot like last year.

Clem:

Clemson, FSU, BC, Wake and Maryland all throw each other around in the W-L columns but BC comes out on top.

Walker:

N/A

Broken:

Despite the loss in the first game, Florida State will return to glory in a big way. Jimbo Fisher, ol’ Chesty Amato, and Bobby Bowden will be heroes. Jeff Bowden will be sent to Siberia to scout out land for the rest of his unemployed kin.

5) The Coastal division?
Bowman:

VT but they don’t walk away with it. Look for Miami and GT to put up a fight. Upsets tell the story on that side of the conference.

Clem:

VT hands down.

Walker:

N/A

Broken:

I have to be contrary out of principle. Since I can’t really think of a team better than Virginia Tech, I’ll say Virginia. Why UVA? Because, much like a ninja attack, no one sees them coming.

5) Who walks away with that big ugly trophy?
Bowman:

FSU returns to prominence as their offense revs up under Fisher.

Clem:

Virginia Tech to induce VT love across the nation and SI orgasms over “The Season of Remembrance” etc….

Walker:

VT is going to take this one, even with an “L” to a Clemson team or not. The Hokies have a lot to play for this year. I have a ton of respect for this school; I just hope we can make them check their swagger at the door on October 6th.

Broken:

The trophy will go to Tallahassee.

6) Who would you like to see us blowout this year (GT 2003, USC 2003,
GT 2006, etc)? Don’t initially vote USC, unless you REALLY want to
blow them out.
Bowman:

VT would be my wish. Realistically, we need a big win against NC State or GT on the road to establish confidence that we can travel and play strong in conference.

Clem:

Once again, VT would be the ideal answer but I will have to go with FSU. Get it out early and get everyone shaking in their shoes for the rest of the season. Prove everyone wrong about the dependence on the run game and force teams off the stacked box D. It may be early to open the playbook that much but I believe that once the D spreads out that the playbook just needs a few plays aside from the ground game to keep the D off the line.

Walker:

I would love to see a VT Blowout in our house. We need to recover the national respect of the 06 Clemson team just after the GT blowout.

Broken:

Maryland, or maybe even Wake Forest. I just hate playing either team close.

7) What’s our toughest game this year?
Bowman:

FSU to start. Lots of pressure and attention, momentum for the season, a dose of reality all in play with this game.

Clem:

Toughest game will be VT, it will be outright wrong to watch what they will do to the Tigers on Clemson’s home turf.

Walker:

I would love to see a VT Blowout in our house. We need to recover the national respect of the 06 Clemson team just after the GT blowout.

Broken:

the Labor Day game against FSU

What’s our easiest game?
Bowman:

La Monroe. We scheduled them at home after FSU for a reason. This will be your first chance to see Korn and Dye hook up at the college level.

Clem:

Easiest will be Duke. Louisiana-Monroe is still early enough in the season to be working the kinks out and Duke is the last stop in “definite” ACC wins before heading into Wake and BC at home.

Walker:

N/A

Broken:

The one between FSU and Furman. What’s their name?

8: Will this be Tommy’s last season? Why or why not?
Bowman:

Clem:

This will not be Tommy’s last season as it is the “squeaky wheel” factor. Since my induction into the Clemson family I have realized that there are real fans and 1980 fans. The real fans understand growth and development and see the program as a whole, the 1980 fans expect national championships every year. Even if you were playing with blind quadriplegics with a baboon as a coach they would expect a national championship. If you go over to Rivals.com, you can read a synopsis of Tommy’s career at Clemson and see that everything has been on the steady rise since he showed up. Off the field performance comes in big with this decision. How many players do the Tigers have arrested or in trouble annually? How many graduate annually? How has the fan base and financial stability of the University gained through his tenure? The naysayers will complain all about how he isn’t getting where he needs to be with the talent he has, but I only have one question for them in reference to this: Who can? Who is out there that can do what Bowden has so far on and off the field and, oh yeah, is available to come to such a fickle fan base? Just like when Bowden was on the hot seat in prior years and DitkatoClemson.com was around, you can take your BillCowerstoClemson.com and shove it. Tommy will survive this season with another 8-4 season or better.

Walker:

This will be Tommy’s last season. I am and always have been a Tommy supporter. Tommy, to keep his job, will have to go: 1) 9-3, with USC loss, and an ACC Championship or 2) 10-2, with a USC loss and no ACC Championship birth, lastly 3) 8-4, a USC win and an ACC Championship Trophy.

Broken:

Nope. Not a chance.

Oh, you meant at Clemson. Well that’s a different story altogether.

Seriously, this is entirely dependent upon how well the team actually plays. For TB to stay, he needs to lose 4 games or fewer. The exception to this is if the team goes to the ACCCG at 9-3 and then proceeds to lose that game and the subsequent bowl game.

Posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2007 at 12:21 pm by Broken Gnome

Filed under Football.

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