Tigers should never take Deacons lightly; New, old faces could test the Gamecocks

Tigers should never take Deacons lightly

CLEMSON — The past two years, Clemson has outscored Wake Forest by an aggregate 71-27.

The Tigers have outgained the Demon Deacons 839 yards to 505 and outrushed them 359-113.

So there's no reason for Clemson fans to be particularly freaked out about this game.

Right?

Uh, not exactly.

Since Jim Grobe began turning things around in Winston-Salem, perhaps no game produces more anxiety from Clemson fans than this one. And this year, the apprehension is as strong as usual, regardless of the statistics in the past two Tigers victories.

Groves Stadium isn't a fun place to visit, and this year Clemson will be there on a Thursday night. The facility is small, and the fans aren't particularly oppressive.

But the place will be electric for the 5-0 Tigers, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Deacons enter this game undefeated as well.

The breakdown

Wake Forest offense vs. Clemson defense

When Tigers coach Tommy Bowden decided to make a change at defensive coordinator following the 2004 season, firing John Lovett and replacing him with Vic Koenning, a huge reason was Clemson's inability to stop

— let alone slow down — Wake Forest's running game.

In three years under Lovett, Clemson allowed the Deacons to rush for a total of 940 yards. That's an average of 313 a game.

In the past three years under Koenning, Wake Forest has rushed 109 times for 246 yards. That's an average of 2.25 yards per carry.

Wake Forest was mediocre at best on offense last year, and that was evidenced in a 44-10 smashing against Clemson. The Deacons marched 71 yards for a touchdown on their second possession but totaled just 89 yards on their next six drives.

Quarterback Riley Skinner and tailback Josh Adams are back this year, but Wake Forest has no big-play threats at receiver after losing Kenneth Moore and Kevin Marion.

The Deacons could return to some of their old option game to generate some offense, and that could neutralize Clemson's speed and exploit the Tigers' inexperience at linebacker.

Clemson offense vs. Wake Forest defense

The Tigers moved the ball almost effortlessly against the Deacons last year, but it won't be as easy this time around.

Wake Forest returns nine starters, including three fifth-year seniors at linebacker and plenty of seasoned players in the secondary.

Strong-side linebacker Aaron Curry earned second-team all-conference honors last season, when he had 99 tackles and intercepted four passes — three of which he returned for touchdowns.

Cornerback Alphonso Smith is a legitimate All-America candidate, and he probably hasn't forgotten about Aaron Kelly's big day in last year's game (10 catches, 93 yards, two touchdowns).

At safety, fifth-year senior Chip Vaughn is a physical presence over the middle.

On the defensive line, new coordinator Brad Lambert will miss end Jeremy Thompson. But Matt Robinson is back for his sixth year and brings loads of intensity.

The crystal ball

All eyes will be on Clemson in this game. The national pundits will be picking the Tigers to stub their toe, because that's what they invariably do under Tommy Bowden.

The defense slipped in the previous game against Maryland but makes up for it on this night, forcing the Deacons to settle for field goals when they need touchdowns.

Wake Forest leads 19-17 late, but Jacoby Ford breaks free on an end-around and zips for a 64-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining.

The Deacons drive into Clemson territory, but Michael Hamlin picks off Skinner to end it.

The Tigers improve to 6-0 and convert many of their skeptics.

Prediction

Clemson 24, Wake Forest 19

Previous predictions

Clemson 27, Alabama 20

Clemson 45, The Citadel 17

Clemson 31, N.C. State 13

Clemson 40, S.C. State 6

Clemson 31, Maryland 23

Tuesday

Georgia Tech at Clemson

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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New, old faces could test the Gamecocks

COLUMBIA — See, you'd think Ole Miss rotating on the schedule in 2008 would be a good thing for South Carolina.

Then the Rebels went out and hired Houston Nutt. And then Nutt went out and hired Tyrone Nix as his defensive coordinator. The same Nix who coached with Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks the past three years.

Nutt is an underrated game day coach, if he's got the personnel, and Nix clearly will be familiar with USC's personnel.

It presents a unique challenge for the Gamecocks, especially on the road. They'd probably just as soon trade back for Mississippi State, seeing as how they handled the Bulldogs last season and now have MSU's old defensive coordinator, Ellis Johnson.

But that's not the way it is.

The breakdown

Mississippi offense vs. South Carolina defense

For the Rebels, there's an obvious guy to watch and a not-so-obvious guy to watch. Both could be problematic for USC's defense.

The first is quarterback Jevan Snead. After sitting out following his transfer from Texas, now's the time to see what Snead — a superior athlete in the Vince Young mold — has got.

Mobile quarterbacks have proven to be headaches for USC. We'll see if Johnson can scheme to stop versatility.

Now, for that potential surprise player.

Nutt has been working with receiver Dexter McCluster as a runner and pass-catcher. He's also a possible threat in the return game.

Don't let this give you any Darren McFadden flashbacks (nightmares), but McCluster can also throw the ball. Irony or coincidence that both go by D-Mac?

Also keep an eye on running back Cordero Eason, another one of those top-flight holdover prospects from the Ed Orgeron era.

Snead and Eason have the talent to be big, impact players, but they still have to do it.

The Rebs will be an offensive handful. This is when USC's defensive line will have to shine. Thankfully it'll have the Georgia game to rely on as experience.

South Carolina offense vs. Ole Miss defense

Nix is inheriting virtually nothing from a unit that struggled at times last season.

It's a group of potentials and possibilities rather than proven entities.

There will be opportunities for deep balls — something that Spurrier tends to like to do after turnovers or big plays in the special teams department.

It'll be surprising if the Gamecocks can't move the ball. The only (major) help would be the addition of academically beleaguered Jerrell Powe, but we'll believe that when we see it. He's been entangled longer than USC's Jarriel King.

The Rebels were so hungry to find able defensive bodies that they moved Marshay Green and Jeremy McGee from offense earlier in the year.

This game has the potential for South Carolina to put up SEC highs in offensive yardage.

Like the non-conference pushovers in the previous weeks, this should be a situation for a quarterback to step forward. SEC, on the road ... we smell Smelley.

The crystal ball

Take your nerve medication the morning before this Oct. 4 game. Ole Miss is going to make you shake and sweat for at least three quarters.

The Gamecocks will be scored upon, but they'll score more.

Efficiency is the key. This will be an afternoon when winning the turnover battle and getting good field position will prove pivotal.

A single play could very well make the difference. We think it will.

A Chris Culliver kickoff return seals the deal.

Better rack up all the wins you can. The road gets rougher from here.

Prediction

South Carolina 31, Ole Miss 27

Previous Predictions

USC 18, N.C. State 10

USC 23, Vanderbilt 9

Georgia 27, USC 17

USC 37, Wofford 14

USC 41, UAB 10

Tuesday

South Carolina at Kentucky

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.