Clemsonvs
Auburn
Dec. 31 / 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Like the changing of the leaves every Fall, the collapse of the Clemson Tigers under Tommy Bowden happens every year. Sure Clemson still controlled their own destiny in the ACC race going into the last weekend of the season, but another collapse,this time in the fourth quarter against Boston College, cost them a chance at the conference title. A win against Auburn would give the more northern Tigers their first 10 win season since 1990. Clemson had some good victories this season, but the offense seemed to disappear against a defense with some bite (like only getting 3 points against a mediocre Georgia Tech team). Clemson lost to all three teams with good defenses, falling to the Jackets, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. Auburn might have the fastest, most agressive defense Clemson has seen all season and it will be interesting to see how QB Cullen Harper handles the pressure.
Auburn was very, very close themselves to having an incredible season. They went into the Swamp and gave the defending national champs their first loss of the season. They had a lead on LSU in Baton Rouge until a last second touchdown gave the Bayou Bengals the win. Losses to South Florida, Mississippi State, and the blowout loss to UGA, however, don't sit as easily with Tiger fans. Now that offensive coordinator Al Borges is gone, Auburn faithful will be looking for more from QB Brandon Cox. After years of having offensives full of future first round picks, Cox has been a letdown from former quarterback Jason Campbell. Of course if Cox had a running back tandem like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams he'd probably look a lot better under center.
Clemson has three defensive stars out for this game either because of disciplinary reasons or because of grades. This will bode well for Auburn who could use the help scoring points. They'll use RBs Brad Lester and Ben Tate, who combined for almost 200 yards against Alabama in the season finale, to get the ball moving against the fast Clemson defense. If Auburn can get a consistent pass rush on Harper they'll be able to force him into mistakes which plays right into Auburn's strengths.
For Clemson, they're going to follow the same game plan as Auburn of running the ball. Auburn uses faster, undersized linebackers so Clemson should be able to get a push against the front seven. When Auburn gave up lots of yards rushing this season is when they lost. When they were tough against the run they usually came out on top. If the stud duo of James Davis and C.J.Spiller get going like they have been able to do the past few seasons they will run away with this game. Unfortunately the loss of the starting linebacker core for Clemson might be too much to overcome. If Cox is efficient enough to take the pressure off the running game the more southern Tigers will win.
Line: Clemson -2.5, Total 46.5
Auburn was very, very close themselves to having an incredible season. They went into the Swamp and gave the defending national champs their first loss of the season. They had a lead on LSU in Baton Rouge until a last second touchdown gave the Bayou Bengals the win. Losses to South Florida, Mississippi State, and the blowout loss to UGA, however, don't sit as easily with Tiger fans. Now that offensive coordinator Al Borges is gone, Auburn faithful will be looking for more from QB Brandon Cox. After years of having offensives full of future first round picks, Cox has been a letdown from former quarterback Jason Campbell. Of course if Cox had a running back tandem like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams he'd probably look a lot better under center.
Clemson has three defensive stars out for this game either because of disciplinary reasons or because of grades. This will bode well for Auburn who could use the help scoring points. They'll use RBs Brad Lester and Ben Tate, who combined for almost 200 yards against Alabama in the season finale, to get the ball moving against the fast Clemson defense. If Auburn can get a consistent pass rush on Harper they'll be able to force him into mistakes which plays right into Auburn's strengths.
For Clemson, they're going to follow the same game plan as Auburn of running the ball. Auburn uses faster, undersized linebackers so Clemson should be able to get a push against the front seven. When Auburn gave up lots of yards rushing this season is when they lost. When they were tough against the run they usually came out on top. If the stud duo of James Davis and C.J.Spiller get going like they have been able to do the past few seasons they will run away with this game. Unfortunately the loss of the starting linebacker core for Clemson might be too much to overcome. If Cox is efficient enough to take the pressure off the running game the more southern Tigers will win.
Line: Clemson -2.5, Total 46.5
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