2009 Statistics

2010 OUTLOOK
Give the ball to C.J. Spiller. That was the theme last year in Dabo Swinney's first full year as the head coach. However, when perusing the team statistics it was the defense that pulled out the best performance including superb efforts from the secondary. Swinney won't have the luxury of Spiller's game-breaking skills when Clemson has the ball. Instead, it appears the scoring weight has now been put on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Kyle Parker and an experienced offensive line with four starters returning. But don't count out the replacements for Spiller, which include both Andre Ellington, who played in 14 games last fall, and Jamie Harper, who is finally hoping to meet the expectations that accompanied his ESPN.com billing as one of the Top 20 athletes out of high school. Both combined to average 6.2 yards per carry last season - higher than C.J. Spiller's average. Getting back to Kyle Parker who led this team to an ACC Atlantic Division title bout back in December...heading into summer coaches were not even sure if he would strap on a helmet again as his collegiate baseball career is bound to earn him big time Major League Baseball money sooner than later. His most glaring need will be locating somebody to catch his passes. The team's biggest holes are at receiver where the top two pass catchers Jacoby Ford and tight end Michael palmer have moved on.

The nation's 20th ranked defense is going to be one of the top two or three in the ACC again. After one season in Clemson, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has much to be excited about for his encore presentation. The front four is talented and deep. Both tackles Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson have displayed potential NFL skills. End Da'Quan Bowers is certainly a household name around Death Valley after being named the No. 1 overall player at any position by ESPN.com coming out of high school. But he has not generated the pass rush many had hoped for. His ability to press the quarterback will be key now that Ricky Sapp has moved on. No better safety combo can be found anywhere across the land than DeAndre McDaniel (NationalChamps.net First Team Preseason All-American) and Rashard Hall. Both tallied 14 interceptions between them last fall. Two new cornerbacks will step in to replace Chancellor and Butler. This will be a mighty tall task to fill their shoes but coaches are confident that Gilchrist and Maxwell won't allow for too much drop-off. The linebackers are the main concern and played a large role in the late season dip of 2009.

The Atlantic Division is available to be had by almost any team. Some things just never seem to change in these preseason predictions. Clemson and Florida State look like the top two favorites. If the offensive line stays healthy and one or two playmakers can be found at receiver, this team is good enough defensively to easily return back to the ACC Title game. While this formula works in the much weaker Atlantic Division, Clemson is still a few players/coaching decisions away from making the school's first ever BCS bowl trip.