September 3, 2010

Caroline's Tiger Pause: 2010 Clemson Team Analysis (plus a giveaway!)


Yay Clemson Girls!! Football season is finally here. Do you know how every year there is a team that flies under the radar? A team that many pick to have a good but not great season and that team turns out to have an extra special year and be one of the top teams in the country? Well this year that team is Clemson! I believe that this will be an extraordinary season and I cannot wait for 3:30 Saturday to kick our season off.

Football is won in the trenches—plain and simple. This year prognosticator Phil Steele ranked Clemson’s defensive line second best in the country and our offensive line seventh best in the country. We have enjoyed a great defensive line for several seasons now but this is without a doubt the best offensive line we have fielded in years. If these two units can stay relatively injury free this season Clemson will have an excellent year.

Many analysts consider the big question marks on the 2010 Tigers to be our linebackers and receivers; however I feel very confident in these two units. The linebackers have significantly improved over last year’s unit and the wide receivers, while young and untested, are extremely talented. They also have a terrific quarterback throwing balls to them. Make no mistake, Tajh Boyd will be an amazing Quarterback at Clemson, but having Kyle Parker return was huge! His first season found him a freshman All-American and leading his team to the conference championship—I cannot wait to see what his second season brings.

The other question that has been asked a million times this off season is how does Clemson replace CJ Spiller? The answer is you don’t. CJ was a once in a lifetime player and you are not going to find any one player to do everything he did as well as he did. But our running game is in excellent shape. Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington will be sharing starts and carries and they will be one of the most explosive one two punches in college football. They will both have break out seasons this year. And backing them up is Roderick McDowell, who has had an outstanding spring and summer. Another player to watch out for this season is Tight End Dwayne Allen. He will leave Clemson as the best Tight End in school history and will be Kyle Parker’s primary target.

Defensively we are loaded this year. As I stated earlier the linebacking corp is much improved and our defensive line and secondary are among the best in football. We return starting All-American safeties DeAndre McDaniel and Rashard Hall. Having McDaniel and tackle Jarvis Jenkins turn down NFL opportunities was huge for our defense. DaQuan Bowers is going to have a sensational season this year. Another name to look out for is Corico Hawkins. He is young but a devastating hitter and a real leader on this defense. Look for him to have a break out sophomore season.

The kicking unit is the big cause of concern for me—if they can be a real asset this year the sky is the limit for this team. Punter Dawson Zimmerman has had an outstanding camp-if he can carry that over into the games he will be putting our defense in great situations. The kicking battle was finally won by walk on Chandler Catanzaro. He has been money in practice from 45 yards and has the leg to kick 50. Seeing consistency in the kicking game this year would guarantee a special year at Clemson.

North Texas brings a talented squad and a great running back to Death Valley this Saturday, but the next two games should be won handily. We should have the starters out by half time and the second and third units should get two halves of quality snaps. I think Dabo has one of the great secrets in college football this year and I cannot wait to watch it revealed! Go Tigers!

- Caroline

Giveaway Week Celebration - Clemson Tigers Necklace
And now for our last giveaway of the week! One lucky reader will win this sterling silver Tigers football necklace - a perfect compliment to your gameday outfit! I love the little football!

To enter this giveaway, post a comment to this blog and tell us your first name, last initial, where you're from - and then tell us which football game this season you are most looking forward to.

This is a quick giveaway turnaround (we gotta get on the road to Clemson!), so all entries must be posted by 4pm EST. We will randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog at 4:30pm EST.

We're super excited about this weekend! We're decked out in our orange with the flags on the car... see you on the interstate! :)

P.S. Please take lots of pictures this weekend (we will be too) and email them to us
at clemsongirlblog@gmail.com. We want to see photos of your Clemson decorated car, your tailgates, your gameday outfits, your little Tiger fans' gameday outfits, views from your Death Valley seats, etc.

Even if you're just having a game viewing party at your house - take pictures of your Clemson gameday decor, gameday outfits, etc. and we'll share them on the blog as well!

No matter what your plans are this weekend... drive safe, be safe, wear orange and cheer on the Tigers!!

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62 comments :

Angela N said...

Angela N. from Seneca

Definitely looking forward the the USC game the most. Need to get revenge for last year....and this year they're playing in the Valley, so the chickens don't stand a chance!

Tania said...

Tania F., Saint Stephen, SC. And that's an easy one! The game where our Tigers BEAT those Chickens!!! Go CLEMSON!!!

Lauren said...

Lauren H., Charleston, SC. I am most looking forward to the Miami game. It's always awesome to come back to Clemson as an alumni for Homecoming weekend.

Melodie K. said...

Melodie K. from Batesburg-Leesville, SC

Looking forward to beating USC this year!! Go Tigers!!

Tillman Girl said...

Cindy W
Watervliet, NY

Looking forward to the USC game. We were regular attendees until moving from SC to NY, but we are going home for Thanksgiving! It will be the first game in two years! Go Tigers!

Anonymous said...

Ashleigh H.
North Charleston, SC

Clemson vs. South Carolina! I love to show them what classy fans we have even when we stomp them into the ground :)

Liza said...

Holly Y. Atlanta, GA. I'm most looking forward to the GT game. Not only because I live here in Atlanta & have to hear about the Jackets more than I'd like. Also because my boyfriend is an avid GT fan and it's a yearly battle between us... usually involving all sorts of bets. GO TIGERS!

Martha P. said...

Martha P. from Columbia

Can't wait to *hopefully* stop those Gamecocks from a winning streak (and yes, 2 in a row would be a streak for them!)....GO TIGERS.

TampaTiger said...

Michele G
Greenville

Most looking forward to the GT game. My brother went there and its a good family rivalry game!

Anonymous said...

Jackie E.
Clemson, SC

So hard to pick just one - I think I'm looking forward to the Ga. Tech game - it's time to hand them a loss again in Death Valley!

stephanie b said...

stephanie b. camden Definitely looking forward to the Auburn game.

stephsdav said...

Stephanie D. from Atlanta.
Clemson v. Auburn
Too many obnoxious Auburn fans in town!

Anonymous said...

Kimberly G.
Greenwood, SC


Can hardly wait to stomp the LAMECOCKS in November :)

The Glamorous Graduate said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diane Owens said...

Diane O. from Anderson

I'm looking forward to the Miami game...Go Tigers!!

The Glamorous Graduate said...

Amanda T.
Atlanta, GA

Besides the USC game I look forward to three other games. Mother graduated from UMiami, father graduated from GT (now my sister attends GT) and the Presbyterian game is on my birthday! What a great present from Clemson :-)

Anonymous said...

Allison A., Lexington, SC Looking forward to the Maryland game where we will get to see C.J. in the Valley again and see him get his jersey retired! Go TIGERS and GO BILLS! Of course, looking forward to putting those chickens back in their place when we whoop up on them in the valley!!!

Anonymous said...

Angi F. from York, SC
I am looking foward to the USC game so we can redeem ourselves!! Go Tigers!!!!

Candy said...

Candy H.
Clemson, SC

I can't pick just one. I am always excited about the USC game but that also means almost the end of the season! I look forward to all of them!

Anonymous said...

Karen H.
Hartsville, SC

Looking forward to the Miami game!!!

Anonymous said...

Keilah N.
Greer, SC

Well, the USC game, of course, but I'm also looking forward to the Auburn game!

Anonymous said...

Kim K. from Piedmont

Can't wait till tomorrow to hear Tiger Rag and see them run down the hill! Gooooo Tigers! But other than that, I'm looking forward to the USC game. Nuf said.

Tiger Gal said...

Tara Hill from Raleigh, NC.

I am looking forward to all of them but some of my favorites are: GT, Miami, NCSU, and of course...USC!!!!

snsshannon said...

Shannon S. from Fayetteville NC
I am looking forward to the Miami game and the UNC game ( when our Tigers beat up on those TARHEELS) My boyfriend is a fan!! lol

Bunny B Scott said...

Bunny B
Greenville SC

I am looking forward to the Miami game for several reasons. 1. It is a big game and will be exciting 2. It is Homecoming Homecoming is a weekend that if folks can only make one game it is this weekend. The excitment on Friday night until after the game on Sat is the best. A lot of former players come to this game and it is like a big reunion!!! And I just love it when we beat MIAMI!!!

Cristal K said...

Cristal K.
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Tech... I live in Atlanta, so when we win, it quiets down the Jacket fans for a short while... speaking of fans quieting down... when are we going to play UGA again? Those guys need to put a sock in it!

Lindsey said...

Lindsey L. Looking forward to Auburn the most. Go Tigers!!!

ls23clemson said...

Lindsey S.
Wilmington, NC

I'm looking forward to the GA Tech game the most for a couple of reasons. A) I will be attending. B)If it's anything like College Game Day 2006 vs. GA Tech it will be insane/one of the best games I have ever been to!

Anonymous said...

Mia R. Simpsonville, SC
I am looking forward to the Miami game! Nothing like Homecoming in Death Valley!

Jenn B. said...

Jennifer B.
Anderson, SC

I am excited for the Clemson/USC game!! It's in Death Valley and I am ready for redemption!!! GO TIGERS!!!

Anonymous said...

Heading to Tiger Town in a little while for First Friday Parade! Love Football season! GO TIGERS!!!!

Andrea said...

Andrea R - New Jersey

Looking forward to the BC game!

Juneingsticav said...

June Y Aiken

Looking forward to the USC game.

Anonymous said...

Kristen C., Wilmington, NC. Looking forward to the USC game and the NC State game. Go Tigers!

Claudia L., Lexington, SC said...

I'm looking forward to this week's game since it kick's off the season, but I always love the USC game. Go Tigers!!

Unknown said...

Rebekah M.
Cornelius, NC

I'm looking forward to the UNC game...should be a fun one with all of our UNC friends here in the Charlotte area!

Anonymous said...

Emily L. Charlotte, NC

Definitely the Maryland game because it is the reunion game this year for all my clemson friends!

Connie J. said...

Connie J. from Wagener

I work around a TON of Carolina fans ... and I'm tired of hearing a bunch of squawking!! Definitely looking forward to when we perform the chicken beat down!!

Kendra F. said...

Kendra F. from Asheville, NC

I'm definitely looking forward to the Miami game on October 2nd! Miami looked really good in their opener last night, and they'll definitely be tough to beat...but we can do it! Go Tigers!

Anonymous said...

Beth C. Richburg, SC. Looking forward to all the games but Clemson Vs. Carolina the most!!

SCD said...

Susan D. from Clemson.
Looking forward to the Clemson-GaTech game! Go Tigers!

patricia said...

I am definitely looking forward to the UNC game! I will proudly be wearing orange that day...

patricia said...

oops... i meant to say that I live in Chapel Hill!

Unknown said...

Krystal P. Taylors, S.C. Clemson vs. USC

rhondaprat said...

Rhonda P. from Westminster, SC

We are looking forward to ALL of the games. If I have to chose one it would be the Maryland game. CAFLS Tailgating, Cj getting his jersey retired and the terps getting STOMPED!!!! What more could a girl want???!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!!!! GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!! Loving me some "boys of fall"!!!!!!!!!

Heather T. said...

Heather T from Greenville. Looking most forward to the Clemson vs. Boston College game- my hubby and I are going for our babymoon!!

Unknown said...

CChristel H from Greenville
Clemson of course! Who else is there? Go Tigers!

Cyd said...

Cyd B., Greenville SC

Very much looking forward to the Miami/Homecoming game!!

mommybuckley said...

so excited about clemson football! looking foward to the carolina clemson game of course!

Anonymous said...

Peggy P.
Ninety Six , SC
GO TIGERS!

Sara Leigh said...

Sara M. Clemson, SC
I'm looking forward to each game, none more than another.

AMR said...

Amy R. Pendleton, SC
Georgia Tech - My entire family will be able to attend the game. Go Tigers!!

karen said...

Karen K from Central, SC

Like everyone else, I'm most looking forward to seeing the Tigers beat the Gamecocks!

Mariah O said...

Mariah O, Clemson, SC

I can't wait til the USC game!!! It's gonna be epic!!!!

Anonymous said...

The Miami game can't come soon enough!! It will be the first Tiger football game I get to attend with me daughter Cody (Clemson class 2013) since she was a little girl. My husband Cameron was a tight end on the team so there are always some exciting reunion momements and wonderful memories from every trip to Deaath Valley.

Vickie G Orange,VA

Brenda C. said...

I am looking forward to the game tomorrow against the University of North Texas. I actually graduated from my high school in North Texas at the UNT Coliseium and two of my best friends graduated from there so it's fun that they're playing Clemson!!

Brenda C.
Central, SC

Anonymous said...

Jennifer T from Clover, SC

Looking forward to the Homecoming game vs. Miami!

Unknown said...

Lindsey m. Walhalla sc. Most def looking forward to see my tigers eat some chicken. Go Tigers.

Laura Brazell said...

Laura B. from Cassatt, SC
The game that I am looking forward to is the Clemson/ Carolina game. I am going to quote my photo, "Eat more chicken." Carolina needs to prepare for the butt whipping...Go CLEMSON TIGERS :-)

Leah said...

all of them, but mostly the USC game. Revenge, show them how it's done in tiger town!

Anonymous said...

Whitney O. - Batesburg, SC

I'm, of course, looking forward to ALL of them...but especially the USC game...I love the rivalry among friends!! :)

Jennifer Long said...

Jennifer L., Winston-Salem, NC. Looking forward to the Miami game because it will be our 5-month-old daughter's first football game and, of course, she'll be sporting her Clemson cheerleader outfit!

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