AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 10
Friday, October 10, 2008
Clemson impressions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday night was a great chance to watch Tech’s next ACC opponent: Clemson.
They say Tommy Bowden always wins the game he needs to win to avoid getting fired. Thursday’s visit to Wake Forest was supposedly another one of those do-or-die moments.
Well, it won’t be pretty around Clemson this week. The Demon Deacons won 12-7 and all but ended the Tigers’ chances of capturing the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Wake is 2-0, Clemson 1-2 in conference play.
The Tigers had negative yards of total offense well into the second quarter. They lost RB C.J. Spiller to a leg injury. They used all three of their timeouts early in the second half, leaving them with none when they needed them most.
They did play terrific red-zone defense most of the game.
But how can a team with so many offensive playmakers score 7 points? The line has a lot to do with it. Clemson has a huge line, but it’s not very effective. Only one O-lineman has started in the same spot all year. Wake Forest stuffed the run and frequently got good penetration up the middle. Did you see the sack in which Russell beat the center and the right guard?
That would seem to bode well for Vance Walker, Darryl Richard, etc.
We are bound to hear this all next week: Tech is facing a desperate team. True, the Tigers will be at home, but can they be any more desperate than they were against Wake?
There’s no question Clemson is very talented, but it seems like Tech will be catching the Tigers at a good time. You get the feeling that if the Tigers start slow the fans might vent their frustration.
Let me hear your impressions of Clemson’s performance last night.
And, do you think the Tigers’ troubles will play into Tech’s hands or not?
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