Troy Trojans vs Clemson Tigers Handicapping Preview
It is a brand new season for college football, which more than likely means another year of Clemson’s talented but inconsistent, head-scratching ways.
Troy Trojans at Clemson Tigers
Memorial Stadium, Clemson SC
Saturday, Sept. 3, 3:35 pm EST
NCAA Odds from Bookmaker Sportsbook:
MoneyLine: Troy +475, Clemson -650
Spread: Troy +16/Clemson -16
Over/Under: 55
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With considerably more talent than its Week One opponent, however, the Tigers have a chance to start the 2011 regular season on the right note.
Head coach Dabo Swinney probably needs to produce something this year, or his time as the clipboard holder at Clemson will become very tenuous. The one thing you have to give Clemson credit for is its ability to funnel excellent recruits through its purple and orange uniform.
One of these years, this caliber of talent has to made legitimate with a corresponding bump in the win column, and maybe an ACC title.
If Troy is going to pull an upset, it must utilize QB Corey Robinson and the lightning-and-thunder combo of RBs Shawn Southward (5”8, 180 lbs) and Montrell Conner (6”2, 220 lbs) as efficiently as possible.
The Clemson defense can whip around the field with reckless abandon, so Troy’s backfield must stay focused on sustaining long drives and keeping the chains moving. Trojans’ LT James Brown will use his round 6”4, 330-lb frame to wipe out anyone who tries to stop Southward and Conner.
Troy also has a strong “D” with lots of returning starters, though recent news tells us that Troy must replace former starting CB Kejuan Phillips, who was ruled academically ineligible. The LB corps stands out, with Xavier Lamb and Brannon Bryan.
Despite the sprinkling of veterans for the visiting side, the defense will have its hands full trying to contain Clemson RB Andre Ellington. He suffered through a toe injury in 2010, but when he’s healthy he might be the best RB in the ACC. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Tigers also feature a great WR in DeAndre Hopkins, a solid DE in Dwayne Allen and a veteran offensive line. The only question mark on offense, in fact, is new starting QB Tajh Boyd. The offense could have some serious headaches if Boyd doesn’t continue to improve his decision-making.
Boyd is very athletic, but in a major conference like the ACC, a starting pivot must bring more than just fleet-footedness to the table. One treat to watch will be WR Sammy Watkins, who brings elite speed to the unit, not unlike Jacoby Ford of a couple seasons ago (Ford is currently a standout for the Oakland Raiders).
The Clemson defense has its usual slate of speed and size, but it could take a step back after losing four draft picks to the NFL. The unit must be carried by beefy DT Brandon Thompson, LB Quandon Christian and safety Rashard Hall.
The Troy game affords the defense its chance to create some cohesion before the toughest games later in the season crop up.
Troy is a talented Sun Belt Conference member and routinely challenges for the conference title, but an afterthought conference like the Sun Belt is out-classed by an ACC program with a proud tradition of recruiting. The spotlight is certainly on Coach Swinney to get something done with these players.
The Tigers have some bona fide challenges on their 2011 schedule, but if Clemson doesn’t start out by getting it done versus Troy, the dissatisfaction in Death Valley is only going to intensify.
There’s no doubt Clemson doesn’t always play to its capability, but it would be surprising if it can’t beat Troy in Week One.
Trends:
Over is 20-6 in TROY last 26 non-conference games.
Over is 13-5 in TROY last 18 road games.
Under is 8-1 in CLEM last 9 games overall.
CLEM are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Score Prediction: Clemson 30, Troy 14
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