Ranking the 2008 Schedule
By: Roy Philpott
Whether you believe Florida State will be vastly improved or not in 2008, Doak Campbell Stadium is still a difficult place to play for most teams. Clemson has won there exactly once since 1989.
2) AT WAKE FOREST
Groves Stadium, while seating just 31,500 has been a house of horrors for a lot of teams in recent years. The Tigers lost there in 2003 and 2005 before finally winning in 2006 after a miracle play made by the future No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft in Gaines Adams. What will it take for you to start to believe in Jim Grobe?
3) ALABAMA
Opening the season with Crimson Tide is intriguing, but will it be as tough as road games at FSU and Wake Forest? Probably not. Nick Saban has recruited well in Tuscaloosa, but he's still playing mostly with Mike Shula's players. Come on, does John Parker Wilson really scare you?
4) AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Simply put, Clemson hasn't beaten Boston College since the Eagles joined the league in 2005. Yes Matt Ryan is gone. Yes Andre Callendar, L.V. Whitworth, Kevin Challenger, DeJuan Tribble and Jamie Silva are gone, but this team still is physical AND BIG at the line of scrimmage. Until it happens, winning in "Chestnut Hill" isn't as easy as it sounds.
5) AT VIRGINIA
The last time the Tigers ventured into Charlottesville, they left with a 30-10 defeat. Good thing that was four years ago. The Cavs could be tough in 2008, but chances are they'll be the "white meat" Clemson fans will remember from the 1970s and 80s more than anything else come November.
6) SOUTH CAROLINA
Hey- it's a rivalry game and the Gamecocks figure to be above Georgia Tech in our list after it takes Paul Johnson a year to install his spread-option scheme. Two words- chicken curse.
7) GEORGIA TECH
Clemson generally waxes Georgia Tech one year and loses to the Yellow Jackets the next. This is one of the "good years."
8) N.C. STATE
The Pack could get back to bowl eligibility this year- problem is they'll likely be headed to San Francisco as one of the last teams from the league to make it to the postseason. Make that five in a row for the Tigers in the "Textile Bowl."
9) MARYLAND
Did you know Ralph Friedgen actually hired an offensive coordinator for the 2008 season? Maybe those first three years in College Park really did have some luck involved ... or something. How did he win all of those games anyway?
10) DUKE
Poor Ted Roof. At least he has a chance to rebuild his career now in Minnesota. Now David Cutcliffe gets to see what it's like to share a football stadium with a medical center. (visit the press box next time you're in Durham for more info)
11) THE CITADEL
The Bulldogs actually were tied with No. 7 Wisconsin on the road last year at halftime. Not bad. Keep an eye on WR Andre Roberts come September.
12) S.C. STATE
No disrespect to head coach Buddy Pough, because he's built a team that has a good number of FBS prospects on it, but somebody had to be last on our list. Losing QB Cleveland McCoy gives The Citadel the slight edge.
1) AT FLORIDA STATE
Whether you believe Florida State will be vastly improved or not in 2008, Doak Campbell Stadium is still a difficult place to play for most teams. Clemson has won there exactly once since 1989.
2) AT WAKE FOREST
Groves Stadium, while seating just 31,500 has been a house of horrors for a lot of teams in recent years. The Tigers lost there in 2003 and 2005 before finally winning in 2006 after a miracle play made by the future No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft in Gaines Adams. What will it take for you to start to believe in Jim Grobe?
3) ALABAMA
Opening the season with Crimson Tide is intriguing, but will it be as tough as road games at FSU and Wake Forest? Probably not. Nick Saban has recruited well in Tuscaloosa, but he's still playing mostly with Mike Shula's players. Come on, does John Parker Wilson really scare you?
4) AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Simply put, Clemson hasn't beaten Boston College since the Eagles joined the league in 2005. Yes Matt Ryan is gone. Yes Andre Callendar, L.V. Whitworth, Kevin Challenger, DeJuan Tribble and Jamie Silva are gone, but this team still is physical AND BIG at the line of scrimmage. Until it happens, winning in "Chestnut Hill" isn't as easy as it sounds.
5) AT VIRGINIA
The last time the Tigers ventured into Charlottesville, they left with a 30-10 defeat. Good thing that was four years ago. The Cavs could be tough in 2008, but chances are they'll be the "white meat" Clemson fans will remember from the 1970s and 80s more than anything else come November.
6) SOUTH CAROLINA
Hey- it's a rivalry game and the Gamecocks figure to be above Georgia Tech in our list after it takes Paul Johnson a year to install his spread-option scheme. Two words- chicken curse.
7) GEORGIA TECH
Clemson generally waxes Georgia Tech one year and loses to the Yellow Jackets the next. This is one of the "good years."
8) N.C. STATE
The Pack could get back to bowl eligibility this year- problem is they'll likely be headed to San Francisco as one of the last teams from the league to make it to the postseason. Make that five in a row for the Tigers in the "Textile Bowl."
9) MARYLAND
Did you know Ralph Friedgen actually hired an offensive coordinator for the 2008 season? Maybe those first three years in College Park really did have some luck involved ... or something. How did he win all of those games anyway?
10) DUKE
Poor Ted Roof. At least he has a chance to rebuild his career now in Minnesota. Now David Cutcliffe gets to see what it's like to share a football stadium with a medical center. (visit the press box next time you're in Durham for more info)
11) THE CITADEL
The Bulldogs actually were tied with No. 7 Wisconsin on the road last year at halftime. Not bad. Keep an eye on WR Andre Roberts come September.
12) S.C. STATE
No disrespect to head coach Buddy Pough, because he's built a team that has a good number of FBS prospects on it, but somebody had to be last on our list. Losing QB Cleveland McCoy gives The Citadel the slight edge.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 11:29 PM
3 Comments
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3 Comments:
GO COCKS! lol.
Our home schedule leaves a little to be desired this year. That's the one biggest complaint I have. HOWEVER, if we take care of business like we should, there's no reason we shouldn't be 11-1 ... 10-2 at the worst. This reminds me a lot of the 80s. It will be great closing the season by thumping the 'Cocks again!!
Let's win the darn games we're supposed to this year! And, why do you always have to take a stab at NCSU. It was their O'Brien that won all those games at BC by the way.
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