Clemson Alabama Spread

No. 9 Clemson has been labeled as an underachiever in the Tommy Bowden era, making it to several second-tier bowl games but never really sniffing a national championship. As huge preseason favorites to win the ACC in 2008, the criticism of Bowden will only get worse if the Tigers don’t at least capture a conference championship this season. Clemson won’t waste any time to see how they measure up against one of the better teams in the country with No. 24 Alabama Saturday.

The Tigers bring back seven offensive starters from the conference’s top-scoring team, including the top three vote-getters to win the 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year award. QB Cullin Harper and RB’s James Davis and C.J. Spiller all return to lead this explosive offense. Davis and Spiller were expected to have huge ’07 seasons after their 2006 campaigns, but each had a drop in productions. Spiller’s decline was most noticeable, dropping to 5.3 yards/carry last year which was down from the 7.3 yards/carry he average in his freshman season. Spilller also had just 3 touchdowns after reaching the end zone 10 times in 2006.

Davis and Spiller will have to rush behind an offensive line that loses four starters, but that doesn’t mean expectations aren’t high for their running game. Having the ACC’s best quarterback in Cullin Harper will help take pressure off the running game. He set 22 school record in his first year as a starter, and perhaps the most impressive stat is his 27 touchdowns passes to just 6 interceptions. Clemson’s defense should be one of the best in the conference, and perhaps the nation. The Tigers finished in the top-10 in both scoring defense (18.3 PPG) and total defense (297.2 YPG). Clemson does replace its top four tacklers, but freshman defensive end Da’Quan Bowers will be one of the best in the country at his position to supply one hell of at pass rush.

No. 24 Alabama went 7-6 last season and despite losing six games, the Crimson Tide never lost by more than a touchdown. With one of the nation’s top recruiting classes under head coach Nick Saban, much improvement can be expected from the Crimson Tide in 2008. Two of those stud recruits are WR Julio Jones and B.J. Scott. This was crucial to get stars at wideout considering Alabama lost its top three pass-catchers from the 2007 season.

Quarterback John Parker Wilson lovers the due of Jones and Scott, stating that Scott will run by guys and make big plays in his freshman season with a big frame and great hand. Wilson needs the help considering his completion percentage, yards/attempt and QB rating all dropped in his junior season last year. He’ll have some solid tailbacks to hand the ball off to if the passing game falters right away. Terry Grant led the team with 930 rushing yards in 2007 and he’ll be back. But junior Glen Coffee outplayed Grant in spring and fall drills and will be expected to get the bulk of the carries this season.

Alabama’s woes this season may come from the defensive side of the ball where they bring back only 5 starters. But one of those starters is All-SEC safety Rashad Johnson, who led the conference in interceptions last season with six. Alabama leads the all-time series with Clemson 11-3. But that’s swayed a big considering the teams haven’t met since 1975, where the Tigers routed the Tide 56-0.

This looks to be the best game of the weekend as far as talent goes. Both the Tigers and Crimson Tide will put more playmakers on the same field than any other game in week 1 college football.

Clemson Alabama Spread

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