Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008

Gameday preview: Clemson vs. Virginia

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Be predictable in one sense

Get C.J. Spiller the ball. Often. Coaches believe Virginia’s defense is comparable to Boston College, and that Spiller’s speed on the perimeter should give the Cavaliers trouble. If Spiller does not log at least five receptions, the Tigers’ odds of winning are not good.

2. Hold the fort

Virginia’s offense figures to play it safe — short passes, protect the quarterback, work field position and use the home-field advantage. Clemson’s defense has fared well against these kinds of attacks, but the one thing it cannot do is allow the Cavaliers to establish their running game, where Cedric Peerman is dangerous.

3. Commit one turnover or less

Clemson is 3-0 when it wins the turnover battle (Duke, The Citadel and South Carolina State). In eight of 10 games, they have committed at least two turnovers.

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KEY MATCHUP

Clemson QB Cullen Harper vs. Virginia OLB Clint Sintim

About Harper:

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior has made strides at rebuilding his NFL draft stock. After notching 200 passing yards just once in Clemson’s first six games, Harper has thrown for 253, 240 and 292 yards, respectively, in three games under interim coach Dabo Swinney. Harper leads the ACC at 207.5 yards per game.

How he will win the match-up:

If you can protect the passer, the Cavs have a beatable secondary. Senior left tackle Chris Hairston is supposedly healthy, so Harper stands a chance at exposing Virginia’s relative lack of speed in the secondary and on the perimeter.

Key number: 1.5

Clemson’s passing touchdowns per game in Swinney’s four games, compared to 0.8 before.

About Sintim:

The 6-3, 254-pound senior flew under the radar a year ago, as it was assumed his nine sacks was the product of lining up opposite All-American Chris Long. Well, Sintim has recorded an ACC-high 13 sacks this season, tops nationally among linebackers. Sintim is rated as the 24th-best senior by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

How he will win the match-up:

Sintim lines up as an edge-rushing end in passing situations. And if Clemson does not align a tight end on his side — especially if Hairston is not the tackle — the Tigers have struggled.

Key number: 3.5

sacks per game Clemson has allowed in Swinney’s four games

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5 questions with WR Aaron Kelly

Kelly, a senior from Marietta, Ga., set the ACC career receptions record last week against Duke. He has 217 catches, one ahead of former Wake Forest standout Desmond Clark.

QUESTION: What are you going to do with the record-breaking ball?

ANSWER: I had my mom take it home. We have a trophy wall going, so we’re going to add it to the collection.

Q: After the game, coach Dabo Swinney, your former position coach and recruiter, said he remembered when you were a 165-pound high school player no one wanted.

A: I have come a long way. I was just a skinny kid and have been my whole life. Just getting here and wondering if I could play at this level. It’s kind of a transformation, wanting to just play to wanting to be one of the best.

Q: Which of the 217 catches is your favorite?

A: I like the Florida State touchdown just because of the fans my freshman year (fans signaled for a touchdown as Kelly’s diving score was upheld). I think that’s one of my favorite ones. The touchdowns are the ones you remember the most. Then the South Carolina game (last year), the last catch on that final drive was pretty memorable.

Q: You passed a lot of big names en route to the record. Which ones meant the most?

A: I grew up liking to watch Peter Warrick and Florida State. And also Torry Holt. Those were two players I really liked. It was kind of a big deal when I saw those names being passed.

Q: You’ve had more than your share of tiptoe catches along the sideline, but you always seem to drag both feet in instead of one. You know you need just one foot in for the college game, right?

A: It seems like they always review a lot of my plays, so I try to make sure to get both of my feet inbounds.

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INJURY REPORT:

CLEMSON: Out — G Barry Humphries (knee), DT Jamie Cumbie (wrist); Probable — DT Dorell Scott (knee).

VIRGINIA: Out — LB Aaron Clark (knee), LB Jared Detrick (wrist), LB Cam Johnson (ankle), DE Zane Parr (knee), RB Mikell Simpson (clavicle); Doubtful — CB Mike Parker (foot); Probable — LB Darren Childs (knee), LT Eugene Monroe, (back), S Corey Mosley (shoulder), WR Kevin Ogletree (shoulder), TE Colter Phillips (illness), K Robert Randolph (illness), LB Clint Sintim (shoulder).

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