Back Southern Pigskin

Back To SEC

Week 1 Game of Week Preview

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett breaks down the biggest game of the week in southern college football: Alabama vs Clemson.

By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor


SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett breaks down the biggest game of the week in southern college football: Alabama vs Clemson.

 


Game of the Week Preview: Alabama vs Clemson (Georgia Dome)

Why to Watch - If you don’t know why, not sure we can help.  This has the feel of a bowl game and features two of the premier programs in southern college football.  It’s the best of the best from week one—we have all been waiting for this for seven months.

Overview - Again, this is the premier game of week one as two nationally ranked teams and leading names in southern college football will meet.  With the Georgia Dome serving as the venue, this contest has a bowl game feel.  Expectations are especially high for the Tigers, who have peaked inside the national top ten.  Clemson has been named the consensus favorite in the ACC, so this opening week challenge will serve as a telling barometer.  The jury is still out somewhat on Alabama as a four game regular season losing streak last season (which included losses to Louisiana-Monroe and Auburn) soured year one of the Nick Saban era.  Both of these teams have conference championship aspirations.  The spotlight will be on these two head coaches: Saban and Tommy Bowden.   

Three Keys for Alabama
1. Stop Davis and Spiller - It seems obvious, but the statistical backing is pretty concrete.  In the Tigers’ three regular season losses last season, Davis and Spiller combined for 136 yards and one touchdown.  Their specific results in those three losses?  21 carries for 62 yards and zero touchdowns against Georgia Tech; 15 carries for 12 yards and zero touchdowns versus Virginia Tech; 23 carries for 62 yards and one touchdown versus Boston College.  The pressure will on a front four, minus end Wallace Gilberry, to make plays.  Sophomore linebacker Rolando McClain needs to have a big game, especially in run defense. http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0927/ncf_a_grant_195.jpg

2. Make Plays in the Redzone - In order to beat Clemson, Alabama will have to score touchdowns and take advantage of opportunities in the redzone.  The Crimson Tide only converted 54.7% of their redzone attempts into touchdowns last season.  To match Cullen Harper, James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Aaron Kelly and company, Alabama will need touchdowns.  Quarterback John Parker Wilson and running back Terry Grant will, of course, play major roles here.

3. Run the Football, Control the Tempo - This serves a number of purposes.  If Alabama can run the football with Terry Grant and establish the line of scrimmage behind guys like Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell, they make a major statement against a favored, top ten team.  It would also allow the Crimson Tide to control the tempo of the game, thus limiting the touches for the top scoring offense in the ACC from a year ago in Clemson. 

Three Keys for Clemson
1. Feed Davis and Spiller - Clemson was undefeated in the regular season in games where James Davis had more than 12 carries; the Tigers were undefeated in the regular season in games where C.J. Spiller had 12 carries or more.  These two guys have the potential to be a 2008 version of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones from Arkansas. 

2. Efficient Play from Harper - Cullen Harper has emerged as an elite national signal caller and the premier quarterback in the ACC.  He is set to be a first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.  When he plays efficiently, Clemson is nearly impossible to beat.  In games in which he completed 58% of his passes or more last season, the Tigers were 9-1.  Him leading the offense and making great decisions is just as important as the involvement of James Davis and C.J. Spiller.  Harper needs to note where Alabama safety Rashad Johnson is at all times.   

3. Physical Play Along the Front Seven - The Tigers will be breaking in three new starting linebackers and will be without defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson, so Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain might be be inclined to run the football early and often.  The Clemson front seven will have their work cut out for them with Terry Grant, almost 900 yards and eight touchdowns as a true freshman, running behind one of the SEC’s best offensive lines. 

Position Advantages
Quarterback; Clemson - Cullen Harper boasts at 27-6 touchdown to interception ratio from last year.  He was a first-team All-ACC pre-season selection.  John Parker Wilson is another tremendous signal caller, but the Tigers get the slight edge here.

Running back; Clemson - James Davis and C.J. Spiller are the nation’s best one-two punch at tailback.  Both are capable of huge games, both are big play threats every time they touch the football.  Davis has 36 career rushing touchdowns.  Terry Grant is an emerging talent for the Crimson Tide.

Wide receiver; Clemson - Aaron Kelly is one of the premier perimeter targets in the ACC and an All-American contender.  He lead the league with 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall.  Keep an eye on Alabama freshman Julio Jones, the nation’s number one recruit.

Offensive line; Alabama - The Crimson Tide have one of the top units in the SEC, and that’s saying something.  Tackle Andre Smith is everybody’s All-American and center Antoine Caldwell turned down the NFL to come back for another year.  Clemson has just one returning starter.

Defensive line; Clemson - The Tigers are tough up front and boast emerging edge rushers Ricky Sapp and DeQuan Bowers.  Sapp had six sacks as a true freshman last season.  Dorell Scott is a playmaker inside.  Alabama must replace Wallace Gilberry and his 27.5 tackles for loss from ‘07. 

Linebacker; Alabama - Rolando McClain is a budding star.  After 74 tackles as a true freshman, he is ready to become a leader on the ‘Bama front seven.  Prince Hall, who had 10.5 tackles for loss in 2006, is also back.  Clemson has three new starters. 

Defensive back; Clemson - Clemson lead the ACC in pass defense a year ago and returns all four starters, including star safety Michael Hamlin.  This pairing is especially close.  Alabama safety Rashad Johnson is one of the nation’s best and lead the team with 94 tackles and six interceptions last season.  Kareem Jackson is a talented cover corner.     

Special teams; Alabama - The Crimson Tide have a veteran kicker in Leigh Tiffin and punter in P.J. Fitzgerald.  Return man Javier Arenas was seventh in the nation in punt return average last year.  C.J. Spiller is especially dangerous for Clemson as well.http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2006/1021/ncf_w_davis_195.jpg

Coaching; Alabama - Tommy Bowden is one of the ACC’s top coaches, but Nick Saban is the big name and has a national championship and NFL head coaching experience on his resume.  Both teams have excellent assistants. 

Intangibles; Alabama - Why?  All of the pressure is on Clemson.  The heavy pre-season favorite in the ACC, a stumble here would hinder what could possibly be considerable early season momentum.  In many ways, the Tigers are playing for the whole ACC as well. 

Players to Watch
Alabama: Rolando McClain, LB - This emerging linebacker had 74 tackles as a true freshman.  He, along with star safety Rashad Johnson, is one of the foundations of this Crimson Tide defense.  His play will be crucial as Clemson looks to run the football with backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller.  A dozen tackle or so day could be in store for McClain, who will lead Alabama’s attempt to limit the nation’s top running back duo.

Clemson: James Davis, RB - Davis is one the nation’s active leaders in career rushing yards.  He is the heart and soul, in many ways, of the Tiger offense.  If he can run well between the tackles, it will really open things up for the electric C.J. Spiller off tackle and in the passing game in the open field.  How well the offense does will hinge on what Davis is able to do.  Davis is an Atlanta-native and went to school at Douglass High School.  Expect to see a lot of #1 jerseys in the crowd.   

Predictions
B.J. Bennett: Clemson - 30, Alabama - 27
Kevin Thomas: Clemson - 24, Alabama - 20
Charlie K.: Alabama - 21, Clemson - 13
J.T. Bennett: Clemson - 27, Alabama - 17


.....

 

Share your thoughts on the SouthernPigskin.com Message Boards or email us at southernpigskin@yahoo.com

BJ Bennett - Bennett developed the Southern Pigskin concept as a teenager. He has worked for over a decade in sports journalism, writing for major newspapers and hosting a radio show for The Fan Sports Radio 103.7, ESPN Radio Coastal Georgia. Bennett has been published in newspapers, magazines, journals and websites all across the southeast. Down Here, Bennett's original book on southern college football, is currently in the process of being published.