Clemson/TCU preview

[PonyPride]

For those who are interested in another perspective about SMU's next opponent — TCU — here's a preview of Saturday's Clemson/TCU game, courtesy of http://www.cutigers.com and publisher Roy Philpott, who breaks down each Clemson game by position:

QUARTERBACK: Junior Andy Dalton has put together quite the résumé as a three-year starter. He’s tied for third in school history with 19 career wins, eighth in winning percentage (.760), 2,200 yards from passing yards leader and second in every other major passing category. Senior Marcus Jackson is also capable under center as a running threat. With Dalton injured for two games last year, Jackson rushed for over 100 yards in both starts and finished fifth on the team with 384 rushing yards.

Clemson’s signal callers are far less productive but still have plenty of potential. Kyle Parker has thrown for 523 yards and five touchdowns in his three career starts. He’s shown the ability to be a dual threat with 70 rushing yards. Willy Korn’s series this year have been unlucky, to say the least. Assuming there’s not a Thursday-night-at-Georgia-Tech-like start, he’ll play too. This year, he’s completed 1-of-2 passes for minus-1 yard and an interception. Heading into the year, Korn had completed 69.4 percent for 316 yards and two touchdowns (132.9 efficiency rating) and two touchdowns on 47 rushing yards.

Dalton’s established himself as a winner and as a very capable quarterback in the Mountain West Conference. Jackson’s proven himself throughout his career which he’s mostly spent as a backup.

Parker and Korn have shown flashes of ability but have yet to establish themselves as legitimate college quarterbacks, at least when compared to Texas Christian’s duo.

Advantage: Texas Christian

RUNNING BACK: Senior tailback Joseph Turner is a Doak Walker Watch List member and has led the Horned Frogs in rushing yards for three years. This year he has 195 yards and is averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Last year’s scout team Offensive MVP, redshirt freshman Ed Wesley was named preseason MWC Freshman of the Year and has rushed for 76 yards this year. Freshman Matthew Tucker is second on the team with 96 rushing yards.

Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller has been limited through two of three games this year with a toe injury but has rushed for 188 yards. Andre Ellington leads the team with an average of 6.6 yards per carry. Jamie Harper has 108 rushing yards.

A contrasting style of runners, Turner and Spiller will be a matchup worth watching. Whoever has the most yards on Saturday could also be the winner, although Spiller adds an extra threat with his ability as a pass catcher. It’s hard to find many running backs in the country that most would take over him and Turner isn’t one that we’d select. Each has put together a well-rounded résumé over their respective careers though. Both Clemson and Texas Christian each have a capable pair of contrasting style backs behind their feature players. Both team’s duos have yet to establish themselves at the collegiate level.

Advantage: Clemson

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END: Junior Jimmy Young led all Horned Frog receivers last year with 59 receptions for 988 yards and has the only two receiving touchdowns this year. He’s also been a big-play threat this year, averaging 25.5 yards per catch. This year’s leading receiver, junior Bart Johnson, has established himself as a solid possession receiver for the Horned Frogs with 10 catches for 102 yards this year and is well on his way to matching his career reception total (21).

Sophomore Antoine Hicks originally signed with Texas out of high school as a three-star wide receiver prospect by Scout.com. He played well towards the end of last year. Jeremy Kerley was rated with four stars but is more of a threat on special teams as a returner. Each has four catches this year.

Rarely this year have Texas Christian tight ends figured into the offensive equation as pass catchers. Evan Frosch and Logan Brock have the only two catches made by Horned Frog tight ends. All of Frosch’s 16 career receptions have come in Texas Christian wins.

Jacoby Ford leads the Tigers this year in all major receiving categories with 14 catches, 215 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also one of the team’s most capable playmakers and is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. Ford’s five receptions of over 20 yards are more catches than any other Tiger receiver has. Marquan Jones is showing signs as a potential big play threat and as a compliment to Ford. All four of his catches have been for over 20 yards and he’s averaging 33.5 yards per reception.

Terrance Ashe and Xavier Dye are the only other Clemson wide receivers with catches this year.

Michael Palmer is a proven target at tight end with 30 career catches. This year he’s fourth on the team in receiving with four catches for 37 yards. Against Georgia Tech, Dwayne Allen scored a touchdown on his first career reception.

Though both are experienced, Ford is more explosive than Young. Johnson and Jones are comparable in experience. Again, Jones is more explosive. Palmer has the work ethic and receiving ability that could be good enough to see him playing on Sundays while Allen is young and has all the tools that could put him in that category too one day in the future. What’s a close push at wide receiver is tipped in favor of the orange and purple because of the tight ends.<br><br>

Advantage: Clemson

OFFENSIVE LINE: Clemson and Texas Christian are about the same size on the offensive line. The Horned Frogs average in height at 6-3 and weight at 315. On average the Tigers are 6-5, 314.

Senior left tackle Marshall Newhouse has started 28 consecutive games and was named to the preseason MWC team. He’s also a Lombardi Award nominee. Junior Marcus Cannon will be the biggest player on the field Saturday at 6-5, 350.

Last week, the biggest question on Clemson’s line was at right tackle with Landon Walker starting in place of Cory Lambert. Chris Hairston will be a game time decision. Without him, the Tigers could be in serious trouble while trying to slow down All-America Jerry Hughes.

With Clemson’s best blocker possibly out, Texas Christian gets the nod.

Advantage: Texas Christian

DEFENSIVE LINE: Talk about either of the two team’s defensive line has to start with Hughes, who has registered 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in two games this year. Junior defensive tackle Kelly Griffin is the only true freshman to have started under Gary Patterson at Texas Christian. Junior defensive end Wayne Daniels has drawn the praise of Clemson offensive tackle/tight-end coach Danny Pearman, who noted that Hughes isn’t the only pass rushing threat the Tigers will face off the edge.

Clemson’s answer to Hughes comes in the form of Bamberg-based cousins Da’Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp. Although Sapp hasn’t been as productive as Hughes has over the past four years, he’s just as capable as a speed rusher. Throw in freshman Malliciah Goodman and Kevin Alexander and Clemson’s group of ends outmatch Texas Christian’s.

The interior starters: Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson are backed by capable contributors Miguel Chavis, Jamie Cumbie and Rennie Moore. Chances are pretty good that two of those three backups would start as Horned Frogs.

Advantage: Clemson

LINEBACKER: Out of a 4-2-5 base, Texas Christian will mainly use two linebackers on Saturday. Senior strongside 'backer Daryl Washington is a big, experienced tackler who’s a candidate for the Butkus Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award. Sophomore Tank Carder is also a big tackler from the middle linebacker position. He’s in his first year as a starter. Each is backed by a true freshman.

Weakside safety Alex Ibiloye moved from corner to safety during spring practice. He’s yet to face a true test from the position during his first two games against Virginia and Texas State.

Freshman All-America Brandon Maye continues has played more snaps than any other Clemson defender. He’s second on the team in tackles with 26. Butkus Award Candidate Kavell Conner is third on the team with 20 tackles and he didn’t even play in the opener versus Middle Tennessee. Along with Alexander and Scotty Cooper, Clemson has two capable linebackers to man the SAM position.

Both teams have two quality, established players at linebacker. As opposed to Texas Christian, Clemson has Alexander and Cooper, who can provide viable options through their experience and skill.

Advantage: Clemson

SECONDARY: Texas Christian returns three starters in its secondary. Strong safety Colin Jones is a former high school running back that missed the season opener against Virginia because of an injury. Free safety Tejay Johnson returns as the starter, but started at the weak safety last year. Senior corners Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest are very capable cover guys who will command respect from the Clemson offense. Sanders has made a name for himself across the MWC as a hard hitter. Both have been stalwarts, having started 41 straight games.

Behind those two are a pair of very capable players. Jason Teague is a big junior (6-2, 185) and sophomore Greg McCoy has the best chance of catching Ford or Spiller in the open field having run a 4.32 40.

Clemson corner Crezdon Butler and strong safety DeAndre McDaniel are two of the best secondary players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Also flanking the outside is Chris Chancellor, who bounced back from the Georgia Tech game nicely in the Tiger’s 25-7 win over Boston College.

Free safety Marcus Gilchrist is versatile in his own right, moving there from cornerback. Rashard Hall adds depth at safety along with Byron Maxwell at corner.

Aside from Hughes, strong safety DeAndre McDaniel might be the best defensive player on the field Saturday.

Both teams are deep, experienced and full of play makers.

Advantage: Push

SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore kicker Ross Evans is on the Lou Groza Award watch list and Kerley is Preseason MWC Special Teams Player of the Year. Punter Anson Kelton is 6-4, 260. Last year, 55 percent of his punts were downed inside the 20.

Clemson kicker Richard Jackson has bounced back from the depths of a massive hole that he dug. Last week, he kicked six field goals. He’s 11-13 on the year.

Clemson also features Spiller and Ford, who have both made names for themselves on the national level as top-flight return men.

With Clemson’s home-field advantage and the dual threat in the return game, the Tigers get the edge.

Advantage: Clemson

PREDICTION: Clemson 20 Texas Christian 16

[SMU 86]

I hope it is a physical game no matter who wins.

[George S. Patton]

Very comprehensive and informative write-up. TCU will win this game

[StallionsModelT]

Clemson 27
TCU 14

[orguy]

If TCU wins it will be close.

Playing in death valley is never easy. Clemson is on the rise for real this time. One bad half
against GT does not make a season and the Tigers are headed in the right direction.

If playing in a hostile environment means anything then advantage Clemson.

TCU has proven it can win in big games like the OU upset. Of course maybe we will see a repeat scenario: big win against at BCS team at their house and then a complete letdown and loss to the Mustangs

[redpony]

I 'hope TCU wins and is pounded physically. If so, perhaps we can catch them being flat and
'steal' as victory.

GO PONIES!!!

[PK]

TCU has proven it can win in big games like the OU upset. Of course maybe we will see a repeat scenario: big win against at BCS team at their house and then a complete letdown and loss to the Mustangs

Bet Patterson will see to it that that doesn't happen again...the let down that is...but a loss to SMU would still be a possibility. Yes the sun does shine brightly over here in my kingdom.

[HB Pony Dad]

After that report TCU shouldn't bother showing up!

TCU is going to kick TIGER TAIL!

Mark my words!

[Charleston Pony]

looking like it could be wet and sloppy in Clemson tomorrow...I would say advantage TCU because it will slow Clemson down...but Clemson played in similar conditions last week, so who knows. I expect this to be a good one.

[SMU 86]

TCU is going to kick TIGER TAIL!

Mark my words!

So you are saying that the Frogs are just going to stroll into death valley and wipe the floor with the Tigers. We will see.

[HB Pony Dad]

TCU is going to kick TIGER TAIL!

Mark my words!

So you are saying that the Frogs are just going to stroll into death valley and wipe the floor with the Tigers. We will see.

Indeed we shall!

The whole Southeast (ACC/SEC) gets enormous National Press that is in no way commensurate to their abilities!

OVERRATED!

[CalallenStang]

TCU is going to kick TIGER TAIL!

Mark my words!

So you are saying that the Frogs are just going to stroll into death valley and wipe the floor with the Tigers. We will see.

Indeed we shall!

The whole Southeast (ACC/SEC) gets enormous National Press that is in no way commensurate to their abilities!

OVERRATED!

What about the Big 11?

[Charleston Pony]

If TCU can take Spiller and Ford out of this game, they win. Simple as that. Both teams have a lot of talent and speed on defense so this comes down to who can make some plays on a sloppy turf. I expect a low scoring game with a couple of big plays carrying the day for someone. I'd be shocked if either team dominates the other.

I don't sense that Clemson is "jacked" for this game, as you expect they would be against a top 15 team. TCU is more of a curiosity around here than anything else.

It's true that over here...it's all about SEC football 1st and foremost with the ACC playing the little sister role...and most people couldn't tell you what conference TCU plays in.

[George S. Patton]

Very comprehensive and informative write-up. TCU will win this game

Bump! I'm telling you they are going to run SMU into the ground. TCU is a damn good program. They are well coached. They know what they are doing. We have so many miles to travel before we even get close to them. You people need to understand going to places like Clemson no longer bothers them. They are beyond that. I respect the heck of out them.

[Stallion]

True but TCU is not yet a complete offensive team. They've got some high school All-District types at WR and they haven't yet solidified the running game with the young freshman like I think they hoped. TCU's defense is another matter-and they are rebuilding on defense. 2nd Half Clemson had no consistent offense-only hope and a prayer and hope for a penalty