Posted by NoleCC

ScalpEm.com continues its blog dominance by participating in the Know Your (Insert Here) Series with other Top Blogs. This week we begin to take a look at the Labor Day showdown with the Clemson Tigers. Thanks to my buddies chili and Willy Mac (his sleep sock is pictured above) over at DannyFordIsGod.com, one kick ass Clemson Blog. In fact, it’s the ONLY Clemson blog I read. Here’s a link to “Know Your Noles” over on their site. Nice photoshop of Bobby and the Boys guys.

1. When Clemson comes to mind, Nole fans think Tommy Bowden. Do you think Clemson can win an MNC with Tommy Bowden at the helm?

A few things here. Tommy is a hard guy to hate. I guess that’s what makes him so easy to hate as well. There’s not a bad spot on this guy’s record. He’s always had winning seasons here, but I don’t think he is good enough to win the MNC at this point in his career. He’s got the coaches around him, and the talent to do it with, and he’s one hell of a recruiter, it’s just that when it’s time to man up and take some chances, he doesn’t anymore. Case in point, he pulls players that are hot, he rides injured players, and doesn’t make corrections when someone figures out his game plan.

2. How good is QB Cullen Harper going to be?

It’s still left to be seen, as he has no real game experience. Now of course, all the Clemson thickheads are still drooling over the newest addition to the Clemson QB ranks, freshman Willy Korn. They are so blinded by Korn, that they forget why we signed Harper in the first place. He’s not a bad quarterback, and there’s a reason he’s #1 on the depth chart right now. The kid was a stellar athlete in high school and I think he’ll do fine. But, if he does have a shaky start next year, expect Bowden to cave to public pressure and throw Cullen under the bus in favor of a much younger, possibly more talented Korn.

3. Will your experience laden offensive line open enough holes for RBs C.J. Spiller and James Davis? Or, will those two just make their own damn holes?

I think it’s safe to say that a healthy James Davis is just a thoroughbred horse. He’s just too damned strong. He’s definitely the slower of the two, but he’s not slow. He’s still ridiculously fast and he’s a good north/south runner. He hit’s the holes quickly with a lot of power and time and time again I’ve seen him either push over huge linemen lock ups on his way to picking up fifteen yards on carry. Another important thing that he proved in spring ball is that you just can’t ankle tackle him. He kicks out of it. The guy does train with former Raven’s RB Jamal Lewis. Now CJ Spiller, is just too fast to capture with the human eye. Not as strong as Davis, but he’s still pretty strong. Still, I see him running off tackle and catching a lot of screen passes. He’s definitely more of an east/west kinda back. He doesn’t have kick you in the teeth moves, but he does have human bullet, now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t capabilities.

4. The kicking game remains a problem for Bowdens everywhere. FSU has issues heading into 2007, has Clemson improved any over last year’s woes?

Well, we lost three year starting punter Cole Chason and four year starting place kicker Jad Dean to graduation. Currently, we have walk-on Jimmy Maners listed as the starting punter and walk-on Mark Buchholz as the kicker. Buchholz is also a starting midfielder on the soccer team. Sophomore Richard Jackson, a high school parade All-American, could be starting both positions by the time the season rolls around, but lower back and hamstring injuries have hampered his progress and he hasn’t even kicked once as a Tiger. I for one am just concerned that we have two walk-ons holding starting positions, especially with our recent special teams woes. If it’s one thing I’m always worried about, it’s the play of our special teams.

5. Who will make the biggest impact on defense for the Tigers?

The returning linebacking corps should be the natural leaders of the group. Senior Tramaine Billie returns after a redshirt year last year due to a broken ankle and should be the top man on defense. Before his injury last year he posted a 4.34 speed in the 40-yard dash. Nick Watkins also returns as a two year starter as well as Antonio Clay, who reminds me a lot of Leroy Hill in terms of flying to the ball and being in on every tackle. He did not participate in spring practice due to family issues, but should be back this summer and ready to go by next fall. Up at defensive line, Kwam Williams, Philip Merling, and Ricky Sapp should create plenty of havoc on the ends as they look to replace consensus All-American Gaines Adams. On the inside, Jock McKissic, Rashaad Jackson, and Dorell Scott are three big bulls that love to knock the chocolate out of people once they get their hands on them. McKissic possesses an impressive wingspan and jumping ability for a DT.

6. What might surprise Seminole fans about Clemson football? About Clemson the school?

Football wise, we’ve been on the cusp of getting back to where we were in the late 80s. We’ve posted solid records for over a decade now, not to mention that we’ve won the past few match-ups between the our schools. But, FSU is still a very powerful team that just can’t catch a break. This game could very well go either way. School wise, if you’ve never been to Death Valley for a game, I can say we do better than most teams with welcoming opposing fans. Of course, you’re going to have the wahoos of every group, but we’re pretty good about our manners. We have a tight knit group of fans that are very enthusiastic and L-O-U-D. If you do plan on making up for labor day, I suggest that you take the following Tuesday off as well. This looks to be a great game and I hope that you find Clemson and our fans on pleasant terms.

7. In your opinion, are the hot-but-might-stalk-you-if-you-wrong-them chicks worth the risk? Does the stalking potential make it that much more interesting?

On every level, if you’re a single guy you should be saying yes, yes, and yes to this question, especially if they are hot and/or have hot friends that you can jump to and fro between. The stalking aspect is kinda like fire. Of course in the end one of you is going to get burned and both parties will leave each other with an unpleasant taste in the mouth, but it’s SO MUCH FUN to toy with other peoples emotions like a cat playing with a mouse. In my honest opinion and from personal experience, a crazy stalker girl is always a fun thing to have around. Also, the sex is usually pretty good seeing as they’re desperate to begin with and will do just about anything to land a man.