24 Jan 11 The Clemson Tigers Can Make a Statement Saturday Night Against Auburn

Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesLast weekend's ACC debacle was well documented. We know the story, Miami went down to Ohio State. Florida State was in their game with Oklahoma for about 6 minutes. Georgia Tech lost to a Kansas team that hadn't won since last October. Then the kicker, preseason Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
ACC favorite Virginia Tech lost at home to James Madison. Oh it was a rough weekend. This weekend the ACC has a chance at a little redemption, with some of these games: Cincinnati vs NC State, West Virginia vs Maryland, Alabama vs Duke, and Auburn vs Clemson. For NC State and Maryland winning their games would be nice, but would they move the needle nationally? I'm not sure. Duke winning of course would send shockwaves across the country. I actually think the Blue Devils may score on the Tide, but they just can't come close to matching Alabama in the trenches. I'm expecting a 42-21 type loss. If the ACC wants a realistic shot at a game that will catch people's attention it has to be Clemson and the SEC's Auburn Tigers. Not only will a win give a little boost to the conference, but obviously for Clemson as well. With each of the ACC's preseason top teams having already lost, or in the Hokies case collapsed, a Tiger win would firmly establish Clemson as the team to beat in the ACC. Auburn is a physical team with a 6'6" beast of a quarterback in Cam Newton. Newton is also Auburn's leading rusher. The Clemson defensive line will have to find some way to contain Newton. DT Nick Fairly looked like an All-American against Mississippi St and will be a load to handle. Kansas City Chiefs jersey
Clemson head Coach Dabo Swinney has been trying to toughen up the Tiger's since he took over head coaching duties in 2008. That was the setback the Tigers for years under Tommy Bowden. They weren't a physical team. These Tigers might be better equipped to play that type of game than in years past. Andre Ellington is the quick elusive RB, and Jamie Harper is the strong north south runner. At one point I thought Harper might be a High School all-star bust, but he's stepped it up this year and is running the best he ever has. QB Kyle Parker is shaking of Miami Dolphins jersey
the rust from his time playing baseball, and is no stranger to big games. Six feet, four inches and 255 lb TE Dwayne Allen has star potential and must come up big in this game. Auburn is a very good team, but they are not unbeatable. This is an opportunity for the Clemson Tigers to really turn some heads, and start shaking their reputation as just merely a decent college football program.This article is also featured at All About Sports