Clemson shows it can run with the big dogs
By:Scott Keepfer, greenvillenews.com
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Tigers have reasons for heightened expectations again in 2015
CLEMSON — As my high school football coach always used to say, “If you want to run with the big dogs, you’ve got to get off the porch.”
Sure, it’s a bit hokey and perhaps overused, but it does accurately describe a mindset imperative to success, particularly when it comes tothe game of football.
The Clemson football program not only has gotten off the proverbial porch, but isrunning with the big dogs more oft than not.
And from all indications, that trend should continue with the 2015 season, which kicks off in just 244 days for those among us who already have reset their personal “countdown clocks.”
If your allegiance lies in the Clemson camp, there are plenty of reasons for optimism and heightened expectations.
Clemson sizes up as a potential major player once again this fall despite losing eight senior starters from the nation’s top-ranked defense.
Several factors weigh in the Tigers’ favor. Foremost among them:
»A healthy smattering of returning studs. By season’send, youth was leading the way for the Tigers’ offense, and the main cogs in that machine — quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Wayne Gallman and receivers Artavis Scott and Mike Williams — all were underclassmen who will be back and better this fall.
Many parts will be missing on defense, but there also are some rising stars around whom to build, including linebacker Ben Boulware, defensive end Shaq Lawson and defensive backs Mackensie Alexander and Jayron Kearse.
» Florida State takes a hit. When someone gets in Clemson’s way in the Atlantic Division, it’s usually the Seminoles.
But FSU may be hardpressed to reign supreme for a third consecutive year what with the loss of quarterback Jameis Winston, receiver Rashad Greene, tight end Nick O’Leary and offensive tackle Cameron Erving.
Those losses may be enough to open the door for Clemson to return to the top of the Atlantic Division.
» Continuity. Chad Morris is in Dallas, but the rest of the coaching staff remains, including defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott logged an impressive debut as co-offensive coordinators at the Russell Athletic Bowl and new quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter appears to have slid seamlessly into his role at his alma mater.
Familiarity brings a heightened level of comfort, and comfortable players result in a more comfortable and confident team.
» The schedule. This may be the most important factor that Clemson will have in its favor next fall.
Coach Dabo Swinney has made a habit of bemoaning that college teams don’t get an NFL-like preseason, so there’s no chance to work out the kinks under game conditions before the wins and losses count.
College teams are facing live bullets from Day 1, and that worked against the Tigers last season when they faced road games at Georgia and Florida State right out of the gate.
This fall the Tigers do get a preseason of sorts.
No disrespect intended toward the tradition-rich programs at Wofford and Appalachian State, but Clemson’s first two opponents of the 2015 season should provide opportunities for growth and experimentation and for revealing which newcomers may redshirt or see immediate action.
Clemson’s program should be at the point now that the Terriers and Mountaineers are merely appetizers to the main course. If the Tigers struggle in either of those first two games, expectations may have to be tempered.
But the remainder of the schedule certainly plays into Clemson’s hands as well as the three biggest potential stumbling blocks —Florida State, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame — all will play at Death Valley.
Bottom line? There are several players, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, who will be difficult to replace (the underrated Grady Jarrett comes to mind), but it’s not like the Tigers are bereft of up-and-coming talent.
Clemson has recruited well over an extended period, which lends credence to the players’ oft-repeated mantra, “We too deep.”
The Tigers may indeed be too deep for most, if not all, of their opponents to handle. For the first time in a while, Clemson could be favored in every one of its games next season.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Swinney said after his team’s 40-6 humiliation of Oklahoma on Dec. 29. “This is just another step up the ladder. I can’t wait ‘til 2015.”
With good reason.
Victories against LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma in its Past three bowl trips have established Clemson as a team that’s not only able to get off the porch and run with the big dogs, but also one that now has a considerable bite to go with its bark.
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