Tuesday August 26, 2008

Clemson Offense vs. Alabama Defense

Clemson Offense vs. Alabama Defense
Today lets look at how Clemson’s offense matches up with the Crimson Tide defense.

Clemson’s Offense vs. Alabama’s Defensive Line
The Crimson Tide runs a 3-4 scheme and the key to the defensive front is the nose guard. They have a monster in JUCO transfer Terrence Cody who is listed at 6-5 and 365 pounds. Cody has received rave reviews from their staff and some think he will be a key for their defense. Cody is backup up by red-shirt freshman Josh Chapman (6-1, 305) and true freshman Damion Square (6-2, 290). That gives the Tide three new faces at the nose guard spot.

Bobby Greenwood (6-5, 278) is a senior who is in his first year as a starter as the Tide will try to replace Wallace Gilberry, an All-SEC player last year. He is backed up by Lorenzo Washington (6-5, 275) who moves out to end from nose guard where he played a year ago.

Brandon Deaderick (6-4, 287) is a junior who started a year ago and had a couple of sacks as a sophomore. Luther Davis (6-3, 299) and Marcel Dareus (6-3, 280) will back up Deaderick.

Bama will play a 3-4 but will walk up a linebacker and show both odd man fronts and even man fronts throughout the game in an attempt to confuse a young Clemson offensive line. The Crimson Tide will show an odd front early in the play clock but shift late in and out of it to create more confusion. They will blitz the Tigers but hope to disguise it and not let Clemson know where the blitz is coming from.

The Tigers have three new starters on the offensive line and both tackles will be tested. Chris Hairston and Corey Lambert will face blitzes from all angles and will need help from tight ends and running backs in their attempt to protect Cullen Harper.

Cody gives the Tide a look similar to Boston College because of his enormous size. Clemson may have a hard time moving the huge nose tackle. McClain is a terrific run stopper at linebacker as well. The running game will have to be established but it may be difficult to run between the tackles early.

Alabama gave up only 124 yards per game on the ground last year and feel like they have to shut down the run in order to win the opener.

Clemson’s Offense vs. Alabama Linebackers
Bama has been hit by graduation and suspension at linebacker and really only has one returning starter but he is a man. It did not take Rolando McClain (6-4, 249) to make a big splash as he was the team’s fourth leading tackler as a true freshman a year ago. He recorded 75 tackles and had a couple of picks in a super initial campaign but he is expected to have a major increase in his numbers this season. McClain is one of the top linebackers in the SEC.

The rest of the linebacking corps is very inexperienced. Brandon Fanney (6-4, 257) and Cory Reamer (6-4, 218) will get their first starts but the freshmen will be featured as well. Look for a trio of freshman to receive a lot of time Saturday night. Dont’a Hightower (6-4, 250), Jerrell Harris (6-3, 215) and Chris Jordan (6-2, 220) are three highly recruited athletes playing in their first college game.

The Tigers will look to be balanced on offense in an attempt to take advantage of the youth and inexperience of the Tide’s linebackers. Clemson would like to establish the run but be able to use the play action passing game to hit some big plays.

Clemson’s Offense vs. Alabama Secondary
The Crimson Tide has two returning starters including one of the best freshmen corners in the country a year ago. Kareem Jackson (5-11, 192) is a physical corner who should have some interesting battles with Aaron Kelly and Jacoby Ford Saturday night. The other corner is Javier Arenas (5-9, 198) who has to replace Simeon Castille.

Rashad Johnson (6-0, 186) is a first-team All-SEC and the leader of the secondary. Johnson is one of the fastest players in the SEC and is a future high pick in the NFL draft.

The Tigers have weapons at wide receiver and this is a key match-up Saturday in the Dome. Clemson has some versatility with size (Kelly), speed (Ford) and hands (Grisham). Clemson also has weapons at tight end and can throw to all of its backs to feature more pressure on the Bama linebackers. Bama allowed 221 yards per game a year ago through the air.

In summary, Alabama is a lot like Clemson on defense in that they are pretty good up front and in the secondary but lack experience at linebacker.

Bama Notes
Alabama gave up 22.0 points per game last season but was lit up only twice and that was by LSU when they gave up 41 and Arkansas who scored 38.

The Crimson Tide lost the turnover battle only twice last year but lost both to Mississippi State and Louisiana-Monroe.

Season one under Saban was going pretty well for Bama before they fell apart in the end of the year. They pounded rival Tennessee 41-17 to go 6-2. But they lost a heart breaker to LSU 41-34 and did not win again until the bowl game. The Tide lost their last four regular season games and it took a six point win over Colorado to secure a winning campaign in Saban’s first season.

Alabama had ten games last season that were decided by a touchdown or less and went 4-6 in those contests.

Tomorrow we will look at Clemson’s defense and how it will fare against Alabama’s offense.

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