Vlyrock
07-29-2005, 07:16 PM
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2004/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2004/crystal.ball/p1_whitehurst_si.jpgGame Preview #1: Clemson
Will Whitehurst Live Up To The Hype?
September 3, 2005 marks the first game of the season for the Clemson Tigers. For Charlie Whitehurst, that game couldn't come soon enough. Even after a disappointing season under the "Hurry Up and Wait" Offense, he's being mentioned as one of the quarterbacks in the college ranks and there are even whispers of him being a possible Heisman candidate. So, the question begs to be asked, was last year's disappointment bad because of the offense or because of the man under center? This year is going to supply us with the answer. The offense has nowhere to go but up after finishing 110th last year in total offense. To help with that problem, Coach Bowden brough in new coordinator Rob Spence who replaces the fired Mike O'Cain.
Last year, the Aggies took advantage of Clemson turnovers en route to a 27-6 win. Whitehurst singlehandedly ended 4 Clemson drives by throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling once. To expect the same kind of play from Whitehurst in Clemson may be setting your expectations too high. So what should the Aggies be expecting when they travel to Clemson? Let's take a look:
Offense: Under Spence, Whitehurst will be given more freedom, and this year will be the first year in which Whitehurst will be able to check out of plays, something he was not allowed to do in his first three years at Clemson. To go along with the new quarterback authority, the Clemson receivers will be granted a little more responsibility too. Instead of having one route they can run, the receivers will be able to choose between 2 and 4 routes, depending on the defense. Spence's offense revolves around motion and the TE. Look for lots of motion as he tries to create confusion and mismatches to exploit the defense.
Clemson returns RB Reggie Merriweather in the backfield. At 5'8", Merriweather can get lost behind some of the big uglies up front. Last year against the Aggies, Merriweather touched the ball 8 times, but racked up 56 yards (that's 7 yards per touch!). It's imperative for A&M to shut down the running game early, or jump out to an early lead so Merriweather gets fewer touches. Clemson, if Whitehurst is performing as he should, can present challenges for defenses with their pass/run mix. Just ask Miami. Last year Clemson beat Miami in Miami 24-17.
Defense: To complement new offensive coordinator Rob Spence, Clemson also brings in new defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. The defense returns 6 starters from last year, and although the D is not considered a rebuilding project, there are still large holes to fill. Clemson lost LB Leroy Hill and CB Justin Miller to the NFL Draft (drafted 2nd and 3rd round, respectively) and besides LB Anthony Waters, the rest of the LB corps is pretty green.
After starting the season 1-4, the defense began to gel. Allowing 6 points to Utah State and 7 points to Maryland showed the rest of the ACC that Clemson finally figured it out. They then proceeded to beat NC State 26-20 and win on the road in Miami 24-17 (OT). Even with an embarrasing loss at Duke after the Miami win (Aggie fans can sympathize), Clemson finished the season 5-1 and sat out from the Bowl Season because of a fight with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The one thing the Aggies have going for them coming into this game is that the defense won't have a whole season behind it to come together. To go along with that positive, the Aggies also have Reggie McNeal and Courtney Lewis. Last year, McNeal and Lewis combined for 317 rushing yards on 45 carries with Lewis crossing the goal line twice. Lewis has had the whole off-season to rest his ankle and looks poised to break out. Given his numbers from last year, this game could be huge for him. If the Tigers key on the Aggie run game, McNeal proved last year he could throw the ball. The Aggies bring in one of their best receiving corps in recent memory. Compiled with highly touted TE Martellus Bennett and the Aggie offense can have a breakout game against an unproven Clemson defense.
July 29, 2005 - AggieFans.com News (http://aggiefans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23.php?)
Will Whitehurst Live Up To The Hype?
September 3, 2005 marks the first game of the season for the Clemson Tigers. For Charlie Whitehurst, that game couldn't come soon enough. Even after a disappointing season under the "Hurry Up and Wait" Offense, he's being mentioned as one of the quarterbacks in the college ranks and there are even whispers of him being a possible Heisman candidate. So, the question begs to be asked, was last year's disappointment bad because of the offense or because of the man under center? This year is going to supply us with the answer. The offense has nowhere to go but up after finishing 110th last year in total offense. To help with that problem, Coach Bowden brough in new coordinator Rob Spence who replaces the fired Mike O'Cain.
Last year, the Aggies took advantage of Clemson turnovers en route to a 27-6 win. Whitehurst singlehandedly ended 4 Clemson drives by throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling once. To expect the same kind of play from Whitehurst in Clemson may be setting your expectations too high. So what should the Aggies be expecting when they travel to Clemson? Let's take a look:
Offense: Under Spence, Whitehurst will be given more freedom, and this year will be the first year in which Whitehurst will be able to check out of plays, something he was not allowed to do in his first three years at Clemson. To go along with the new quarterback authority, the Clemson receivers will be granted a little more responsibility too. Instead of having one route they can run, the receivers will be able to choose between 2 and 4 routes, depending on the defense. Spence's offense revolves around motion and the TE. Look for lots of motion as he tries to create confusion and mismatches to exploit the defense.
Clemson returns RB Reggie Merriweather in the backfield. At 5'8", Merriweather can get lost behind some of the big uglies up front. Last year against the Aggies, Merriweather touched the ball 8 times, but racked up 56 yards (that's 7 yards per touch!). It's imperative for A&M to shut down the running game early, or jump out to an early lead so Merriweather gets fewer touches. Clemson, if Whitehurst is performing as he should, can present challenges for defenses with their pass/run mix. Just ask Miami. Last year Clemson beat Miami in Miami 24-17.
Defense: To complement new offensive coordinator Rob Spence, Clemson also brings in new defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. The defense returns 6 starters from last year, and although the D is not considered a rebuilding project, there are still large holes to fill. Clemson lost LB Leroy Hill and CB Justin Miller to the NFL Draft (drafted 2nd and 3rd round, respectively) and besides LB Anthony Waters, the rest of the LB corps is pretty green.
After starting the season 1-4, the defense began to gel. Allowing 6 points to Utah State and 7 points to Maryland showed the rest of the ACC that Clemson finally figured it out. They then proceeded to beat NC State 26-20 and win on the road in Miami 24-17 (OT). Even with an embarrasing loss at Duke after the Miami win (Aggie fans can sympathize), Clemson finished the season 5-1 and sat out from the Bowl Season because of a fight with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The one thing the Aggies have going for them coming into this game is that the defense won't have a whole season behind it to come together. To go along with that positive, the Aggies also have Reggie McNeal and Courtney Lewis. Last year, McNeal and Lewis combined for 317 rushing yards on 45 carries with Lewis crossing the goal line twice. Lewis has had the whole off-season to rest his ankle and looks poised to break out. Given his numbers from last year, this game could be huge for him. If the Tigers key on the Aggie run game, McNeal proved last year he could throw the ball. The Aggies bring in one of their best receiving corps in recent memory. Compiled with highly touted TE Martellus Bennett and the Aggie offense can have a breakout game against an unproven Clemson defense.
July 29, 2005 - AggieFans.com News (http://aggiefans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23.php?)