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Updated: August 11, 10:31 AM ET Opener may be the key to Tigers' season By Gregg Doyel Special to ESPN.com |
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Clemson Tigers
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2002 overall record: 7-6 Conference record: 4-4 Returning starters: Offense: 6, Defense: 4, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Yusef Kelly* (520 yds) Passing: Willie Simmons (1,559 yds), Charlie Whitehurst* (1,554 yds) Receiving: J.J. McKelvey (785 yds) Tackles: John Leake* (169) Sacks: Bryant McNeal (9) Interceptions: Justin Miller* (8) Outlook: As usual, Clemson seems to have plenty of firepower on offense and plenty of questions on defense. QB Charlie Whitehurst had moments of brilliance last season, like his 420-yard starting debut against North Carolina, but was awful in other games. He has a deep corps of receivers led by Derrick Hamilton and Kevin Youngblood, and Yusef Kelly is a serviceable tailback. The defense is the question, as usual. Only one starter returns at both linebacker and defensive back, meaning on-the-job training for coordinator John Lovett's crew. Kicker Aaron Hunt was a pleasant surprise last season, and whoever punts surely will improve on last season's 37.1-yard average. Key game: Hate to say the opener, but for Clemson, this is it. Georgia comes to Death Valley on Aug. 30, and the natives will be restless the rest of the season if the Tigers remotely resemble the team that got clocked 55-15 by Texas Tech in the Tangerine Bowl. With Georgia replacing a host of starters and the Tigers at home in front of 80,000-plus fans, Clemson should compete in this game. Keep an eye on: Sophomore cornerback Justin Miller is the ACC's best cover cornerback in years, maybe since Dre' Bly played for North Carolina in the late 1990s. Miller led the ACC and was fifth nationally last season in interceptions, picking off eight, and he also led the ACC in kickoff returns with a 35.1-yard average. It's a good year if. . .: The Tigers finish fifth in the ACC, meaning they've bested everyone but the big four of Virginia, Maryland, Florida State and NC State. Anything less than fifth means, at best, another roughly .500 season and more calls for Bowden's job. Fifth-place might not make a lot of people happy, but it's the most a realistic Clemson fan should expect. Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer. |
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