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Odds to Win 2008 ACC Football

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 26, 2008

So who will win the 2008 ACC football conference, Clemson. Look for 2008 to be the year that Tommy Bowden and his Clemson Tigers finally turn the corner. The Tigers return 17 starters, eight on offense and nine on defense. Cullen Harper returns after a great junior season in which he threw for 2,991 yards and 27 touchdowns. Harper is not only a great playmaker, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. In 2007 he completed 65% of his passes and only threw six interceptions. Look for Harper to have another great year.

The Tigers also bring back one of, if not the best running back tandem in the country. Senior James Davis, who is the more in-between the tackles and hard-nose runner, and junior C.J. Spiller, the faster and more explosive big play back, return for another year and look to do major damage out of the backfield. Both running backs are easily considered top five to ten in the country. Look for offensive coordinator Rob Spence to design unique ways to have both on the field at the same time. Spiller and Davis have potential to both be 1,000 yard backs and it will be so hard for teams to stop both. The Tigers will not miss a beat in the running game this season.

Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham and Jacoby Ford will be Harper’s main targets. Kelly is coming off an All-ACC year in which he had over 1,000 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Look for him to only put up better numbers. Grisham is the more sure-catch possession type receiver. Look for him to catch a lot of passes due to defenses using double coverage on Aaron Kelly. Jacoby Ford will provide great speed and explosiveness from the slot. He averaged 18.2 yards per reception last year. He has big play written all over him and look for him to be more involved in the Tiger’s offense, as well as returning punts and kicks. The Tigers might have one of the most underrated receiving cores in the nation.

Things look just as good for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball. The nine returning starters are highlighted by defensive end Ricky Sapp and safety Michael Hamlin. Ricky Sapp has the potential to be one of the best DE’s in the country. He has an amazing combination of speed and strength that could lead to a big year in the sack department. Hamlin is coming off an All-ACC year and is one of the best returning safeties in the country. The 2007 Tigers ranked in the top 20 in both pass and run defense. With almost everyone returning, you have to believe those numbers are just going to get better. Clemson’s defense will feature both hard-hitters as well as great speed. It will be very difficult for opposing teams to run outside the tackles. Also look for defensive coordinator Vic Koenning to employ many different blitz packages to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Another year of maturity and improvements should make this Clemson defense one of the best in the country.

If there is a negative about this Clemson team it is the offensive line. They do return three linemen, and all projected starting lineman have solid experience. Cullen Harper was sacked a 32 times in 2007. Tommy Bowden and company hope to cut that number down. With the rushing attack of Davis and Spiller along with the decision making of Cullen Harper look for some pressure to be taken off the offensive line. Look for vast improvements on the O-Line.

Clemson has a fairly easy conference schedule at home, as they take on North Carolina State, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Duke. That should lead them to five easy wins in the ACC. Road trips to Virginia and Boston College should also be expected wins for the Tigers. However, road games at Wake Forest and Florida State will be great challenges to this experienced and talented bunch. But, I like their chances to sweep through the ACC regular season and take on Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship, where I like Clemson again. If Clemson can get past Alabama early and South Carolina late, Clemson can be not only competing for an ACC title, but a National title as well. Look for 2008 to finally be the year Tommy Bowden and the Tigers silence the critics and reach their potential. Clemson will win the ACC in 2008.

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