Ranking The ACC Atlantic Division Teams: Clemson

It seems that sometimes Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden would rather make sarcastic remarks than concentrate on winning games. His brand of sarcasm and his teams folding like cheap seats has him on the hot seat with Clemson fans. In 2006, the Tigers went 8-5 and 5-3 in the ACC. Clemson finished 4th in the Atlantic Division. Under his leadership the Tigers lost four out of their last five games of 2006 and then lost to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.

So what's in store for 2007? The Tigers have a lot of holes to fill on offense. That is very evident on the offensive line where graduation wiped out the ACC's best collection of run blockers. Senior tackle Barry Richardson, a potential All-American, is the only returning starter.

"There's not a lot of experience right now," Richardson said. "But, if we stay at everything, work at everything, I think we're going to have a good offensive line."

Bowden also has to find a quarterback to replace Will Proctor, who threw for 2,353 yards in his one season as a starter. Cullen Harper, who threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns last season in a limited role, emerged from spring practice as the probable starter, although prep All-American Willy Korn, who enrolled at Clemson in January, goes into the season as the No. 2 man on the depth chart.

Junior "Thunder" James Davis, the 2005 ACC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-ACC running back last season, has rushed for 2,066 yards in two seasons and has averaged 5.6 yards a carry. To complement Davis, there is sophomore C.J. Spiller, nicknamed "Lightning",who was even more effective, averaging 7.3 yards a carry as he rushed for 936 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last year.

On defense, seven starters return. "We should be solid on defense," Bowden said. "We've finished in the top 25 [nationally] in four major defensive categories in each of the last two years. That's a credit to [defensive coordinator] Vic Koenning and the job he's done."

FSU It's Time Ranking Prediction: Clemson will be tested in their first game against the Noles at home on Labor Day. It is difficult to have much faith in a Tommy Bowden team that has yet to win an ACC championship or go to a BCS game. I am predicting a ranking of #3 for Clemson recognizing that they could head lower given their history.