Clemson Tigers - ACC Preview

Saturday, 25 August 2007

With a mean defense and a couple of bookend running backs the 2007 Clemson Tigers are gunning for their first ACC championship after last years second place finish. SportsBetting.com has made the Clemson Tigers 100 to 1 odds to win the 2008 BCS.

On the offensive side of the football Clemson sports one of the best running tandems in the nation with James Davis, 5-11 205, and C.J Spiller, 5-11 190. Spiller could be an all-american with his electric quickness and moves. Lining up behind center will be first year starting Junior Cullen Harper, 6-4 215. Cullen is accurate has nice timing and throws a good deep ball. If Harper falters hot shot freshman Willy Korn, 6-2 200, will be inserted.

Clemson lost their leading receiver in Chansi Stuckey leaving some green players left to fill in. The replacements are Jacoby Ford who is one of the fastest players in the nation and rangy ,6-5 180, Aaron Kelley. The offensive line must replace 4 starters but the LT position will be secure with bear-like linemen Barry Richardson, 6-7 320, manning the blind side.

Get the strongest plays each week from College Football expert handicapper Brad Marchetti.

The Tigers defense is a fast group that likes to limit big plays. The best player on last years defense DE Gaines Adams was an NFL first rounder so some young players will be called upon to fill in. The linebacking core has some key players returning that missed signifigant playing time last season. If the linebackers return all of their guys they have the potential to be great.

The secondary is also young but filled with playmakers. The special teams got a boost when they recruited parade all-american Richard Jackson. Jacoby Ford is an elite returner but the coverage units need to improve.

If the young players step up the way their capable of the Clemson Tigers will be a tough team for anybody to face. Clemson should be anywhere from a 8-10 game winner.

Brad Marchetti’s Opening Game Clemson Tigers Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale

20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great

Coaching: 65
Quarterback : 55
Backs : 75
Receivers : 60
Offensive Line : 55
Defensive Line : 70
Linebackers : 65
Secondary : 65
Special Teams : 55

SportsBetting.com has posted college football betting odds to win the 2008 BCS:

Alabama
100 - 1

Arizona
300 - 1

Arizona St
50 - 1

Arkansas
60 - 1

Auburn
100 - 1

BYU
300 - 1

Boise St
100 - 1

Boston College
200 - 1

California
40 - 1

Clemson
100 - 1

Colorado
200 - 1

Florida
8 - 1

Florida St
30 - 1

Georgia
35 - 1

Georgia Tech
75 - 1

Hawaii
300 - 1

Iowa
100 - 1

Kansas St
300 - 1

LSU
6 - 1

Louisville
20 - 1

Maryland
300 - 1

Miami FL
30 - 1

Michigan
8 - 1

Missouri
25 - 1

Nebraska
40 - 1

North Carolina St
300 - 1

Notre Dame
60 - 1

Ohio St
30 - 1

Oklahoma
12 - 1

Oklahoma St
50 - 1

Oregon
50 - 1

Oregon St
300 - 1

Penn St
40 - 1

Pittsburgh
300 - 1

Purdue
300 - 1

Rutgers
75 - 1

South Carolina
75 - 1

South Florida
100 - 1

TCU
100 - 1

Tennessee
45 - 1

Texas
10 - 1

Texas A&M
60 - 1

Texas Tech
300 - 1

UCLA
35 - 1

USC
5 - 2

Virginia Tech
30 - 1

Wake Forest
300 - 1

West Virginia
8 - 1

Wisconsin
30 - 1

Field (Any Other Team)
100 - 1