Scheming for the Tide
Clemson scaling back its offensive plan for Bama
AP
AP Clemson's C.J. Spiller (center) works his way through the line during the Tigers' spring scrimmage April 12 in Clemson. The Tigers open the season Saturday against Alabama in Atlanta.
CLEMSON — Clemson's offensive staff is operating under one principle when it comes to deciding just how much of the game plan to carry into Saturday's showdown against Alabama: When in doubt, take it out.
That's how coach Tommy Bowden sums it up when describing the complexities of opening the season against a formidable opponent — and doing it with an inexperienced offensive line.
To be sure, Bowden would prefer testing the waters against someone like The Citadel, South Carolina State or Duke. But the No. 9 Tigers don't get that luxury. They get the No. 24 Crimson Tide, whose defense operates under the close watch of second-year head coach Nick Saban.
The big question as Clemson prepares for its biggest non-conference game in years is: Just how expansive will the offensive scheme be with four new starters up front?
Fourth-year offensive coordinator Rob Spence has said things could be kept simple against Saban, a renowned defensive guru who's had all offseason to prepare for the Tigers. Offensive line coach Brad Scott has said the protections for his group could be cut in half for the game at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
Regardless of the numbers,
Clemson's staff has some tough decisions to make as it tries to keep things as simple as possible for the line. The Crimson Tide runs a 3-4 defense with an array of blitzes, stunts and pre-snap shifts that can be confusing to even the most seasoned linemen.
Three of Saturday's starters — redshirt sophomore left tackle Chris Hairston, redshirt junior left guard Jamarcus Grant, and redshirt junior right tackle Cory Lambert — have played mostly reserve roles thus far in their careers.
And because there's zero college experience beyond the starting five — fourth-year juniors Thomas Austin and Barry Humphries are the starters at center and guard, respectively — the No. 1 guys figure to shoulder an inordinate share of the load Saturday.
"We've got a young offensive line, and coach Saban is known to be a great defensive line coach," said junior tailback C.J. Spiller. "So we've got to try to make things as simple as possible for those guys up front."
By most accounts, the diversity of Clemson's game plan will be dictated by pass protection. Senior tailback James Davis said the Crimson Tide's complement of blitzes reminds him of Georgia Tech, and the Tigers didn't fare too well against the Yellow Jackets last season (six sacks and a season-low 228 yards in a 13-3 loss).
Davis said he thinks the Tigers will carry all of their running plays into the game but be more limited through the air. He says a big key will be the running backs' ability to identify and pick up blitzes.
The good part about the expected blitzing is man-to-man coverage. The Crimson Tide plays plenty of it and could pay for it against the Tigers' plethora of speedy and talented skill players.
"They're in the SEC, so they feel they go up against the best every game they play," Spiller said.
"I'm pretty sure those guys aren't going to be scared to line up in man against us. I'm pretty sure they think they can run with us."
Bowden said there are ways to minimize the possible leakage up front. The staff can devote tight ends to pass protection and also call for more sprintouts for senior quarterback Cullen Harper, who has been effective while throwing on the run.
Still, Bowden said, scaling back the offense could hurt because "we need to be able to run our package."
Bowden said the staff can winnow down the playbook as late as Thursday, and Harper said he probably won't know until Saturday just how much — or how little — is in the scheme.
Harper thinks the plan could actually expand during the game if the line does well early.
"If those guys can go out and we can protect, I think you'll see an offense fairly similar to what you saw last year," he said. "It just depends on how those guys respond."
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks.
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Comments
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
Clemson will win the game vs. Bama. Aside from the fact that Clemson is a better team, Alabama will be looking ahead to its next opponent and the tough game to be played the following week.
August 27, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmid (anonymous) says...
I think BAMA is focused on winning this game just as Clemson is. This is going to be a good game....and I hope the tigers prevail.
August 27, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedfishRunner (anonymous) says...
Being a Clemson grad and a lifelong fan, I certainly hope the Tigers can follow through with the predictions. I just get concerned with a pre-season top 10 ranking with such an inexperienced o-line. But the returning weapons are more than capable of compensating, so I'll also predict a victory. I would have to respectfully disagree with Tulane75, though, because looking ahead to the next game is usually reserved for fluff games you fully expect to win. Bama is young, but they are not looking past a strong Clemson team and they will be fully charged for this one. Neutral field. Equal number of fans on both sides. ACC vs SEC. ESPN College Gameday on site. There's nothing quite like starting the season with a bowl-like atmosphere. Gonna be a good one!
August 27, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloantap (anonymous) says...
LW, since 4 of 5 starters are redshirt juniors, why shouldn't you/we be more optimistic? We have come a long way if that is our biggest concern. You seem a tad negative. Also, Strelow was on Paul Finebaum's show and was kind of laughing at Clemson fans for expecting great things this year. Blog about that! Thx.
August 27, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
ROLL TIDE!!!! NO problem though,Haney already has excuse list prepared.
August 27, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
BIG BLUNDER I meant to say Williams sorry Haney!
August 27, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
"They're in the SEC, so they feel they go up against the best every game they play," Spiller said.
"I'm pretty sure those guys aren't going to be scared to line up in man against us. I'm pretty sure they think they can run with us."
reeks of inferiority complex,
runs rampant in the Average Coast Conference
August 27, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sptiger (anonymous) says...
sbs - funny you mention inferiority complex b/c i swear fans of the University of Second Choice have one....
irony occurs every day folks!
August 27, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
I think it is funny to read all these Clemson posts. You would think Clemson is a national powerhouse or something.
I wonder how well Clemson would do with a schedule that included the last two national champions. They can't even win in one of the weaker conferences in country.
August 27, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigerfan07 (anonymous) says...
Funny how you are worrying about us now. Don't you have a game tomorrow!? Focus on that.
August 27, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driftwood (anonymous) says...
I love when Carolina fans talk about how big and bad the SEC is, it reminds me of the picture of the Chihuahua talking trash behind his Pitbull friend.
August 27, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rggr (anonymous) says...
"I wonder how well Clemson would do with a schedule that included the last two national champions. They can't even win in one of the weaker conferences in country."
Good question. I wonder how well Carolina would do with a schedule where they played Clemson every week.
August 27, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
sappy cough will be wrong right out of the blocks.
tiggers fall to a better team, regardless of sportswriter polls, because, well, the tiggers always lose to better teams.
August 27, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tf29301 (anonymous) says...
Clemson fans still do not get it......playing in the ACC is like making straight A's in remedial classes.
August 27, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SOSblows (anonymous) says...
Carolina fans still do not get it.....they have never won a national championship, and only one conference title.
And before you say Clemson cheated to get theirs, the NCAA would have taken it from them if they had.
Anyone know the head to head record between CU & Carolina?
August 27, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tf29301 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Blows:
Wrong again, Clemson was placed on probation twice for cheating, that is what the NCAA does when it catches a team cheating. And, similar to what was said before, Clemson bragging about the titles is like a drug dealer bragging about being rich.
There is no magic to what Clemson does. It plays in an easy conference to run up its win total. And, I agree, USC has no business losing to Clemson on a disproportionate basis.
But, listening to Clemson fans talk about being close to an elite team is comical. And, it does not stop with football. Recently, I was told by a Clemson grad, without asking, that Clemson was harder to get into than either Furman or Wofford. That is easy to disprove but, it is the same rhetoric that you hear about the football team. They are not a bad team but, they are nowhere close to being elite team.
As for USC, in my opinion, it will take time to build in the SEC, there is no luxury of easy games in that conference to pad your record. Of course, the new TV contracts should help.
August 27, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SOSblows (anonymous) says...
Can you tell me then what the NCAA did to SMU football and Michigan basketball? If you can't, then I will. The NCAA caught them cheating and completely wiped out their accomplishments during the time they cheated. You coots forget that you got put on probation for what Lou did, so under your thinking Carolina's two wins over Ohio State doesn't count, but yet yall continue to crow about them.
August 27, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tf29301 (anonymous) says...
According to the NCAA website, Michigan is still listed as champs. Just as they did not take away Clemson's title but, Clemson lost scholarships etc..., they were put on probation for recruiting violations...cheating.
Typically, the NCAA puts teams on probation when they are caught cheating. SMU still cheated while on probation and received the death penalty which was to stop playing football for a period of time.
It is not anymore complicated than that.
August 27, 2008 at 11:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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