Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Clemson vs. Alabama preview

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Control the lines of scrimmage

This phase of the game usually decides the outcome, and that is likely to be the case tonight. Clemson sends four new offensive line starters against an unconventional 3-4 base front featuring a 365-pound nose guard and bulky, run-plugging linebackers. On the flip side, Alabama’s offense hinges on establishing the run to set up its short, play-action passing game. The Tigers will have to dispel the perception they are a finesse team.

2. Avoid a special teams blunder

For all their experience and star power, the Tigers appear vulnerable in this department. Mark Buchholz has yet to prove a reliable place-kicker. All signs point to freshman Dawson Zimmerman starting at punter unless nerves get the best of him. And it would not be a shock to see Clemson kick to Alabama returner Javier Arenas, who averaged 15.4 yards per punt return last season.

3. Go against the percentages

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has a strong defensive mind, and his defenses play fundamentally sound. Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence sticks with percentages as a play-caller and can be predictable as a result. So with eight months of prep time, Saban should have a clue what is coming. Spence has installed plenty of wrinkles to offset his tendencies; using them is the trick.

KEY MATCHUP

Clemson DE Ricky Sapp vs. Alabama LT Andre Smith

About Sapp: The 6-foot-4, 248-pound junior from Bamberg appears on the verge of becoming the next pass-rushing beast from the bandit end position in coordinator Vic Koenning’s defense.. Sapp has spent most of his career trying to add weight, yet it took until this offseason for him to regain the speed he lost. As a result, Clemson coaches think he no longer will be a liability in run support.

Key number: 9 — career sacks, most by anyone on Clemson’s team

How Sapp will win the matchup: Sapp typically lines up to the wide side of the field, giving him more room to operate around the edge. But in an effort to keep the Crimson Tide from sliding their protection in his direction, expect Clemson to move Sapp around so Alabama cannot get a pre-snap read on him. He also can drop back into pass coverage on zone blitzes, triggering a cat-and-mouse game for offensive tackles; if they commit to him and he is dropping, that means one less guy to account for a blitzer elsewhere.

About Smith: The 6-4, 330-pounder from Birmingham was regarded by recruiting services as the top offensive lineman nationally in the 2006 recruiting class. He has lived up to the billing, starting all 26 games his first two seasons. Smith, who lost 25 pounds before his sophomore season, was a first-team preseason All-SEC selection and is listed as the top NFL draft-eligible junior lineman by ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Key number: 7 — number of first-year freshmen, including Smith, who have started their first game at Alabama.

How Smith will win the matchup: At closer to 345 pounds, Smith is difficult to get around. He has decent agility for someone his size, so if he gets his hands on Sapp with leverage, that is all she wrote. For that matter, Sapp’s extra 10 pounds and increased strength might not make a difference against a lineman of Smith’s caliber.

3 QUESTIONS WITH ... WR Tyler Grisham.

Grisham, who hails from a Birmingham, Ala., suburb, grew up a Tennessee fan.

Q: Given Phil Fulmer’s reputation in Alabama, how difficult was it being a Tennessee fan growing up in Alabama?

A: There really aren’t many Tennessee fans there. My dad was a huge Tennessee fan. I was born there and was a fan growing up in elementary and middle school. But in high school, when I realized I could play football, I started watching other teams and, kind of like the NFL, didn’t have a go-to team. My buddies were all Alabama and Auburn fans, so we always talked (trash), but actually, I think a lot of them that go to Alabama want to see us win because they know somebody on the team.

Q: So if you lose back-to-back games to Auburn and now Alabama, will you ever go home?

A: To be honest, I’m still kind of bitter over the Auburn loss. But I can’t mess with that anymore. This is more important than the Auburn game. But it would be great to win and not have to hear from some of my friends.

Q: Nick Saban’s calling card is defense. From what you’ve seen on film, what are the defining characteristics of his defenses?

A: They play a lot of man, a lot of cover-3. They’re great at disguising. They look like they’re going to be blitzing, bringing their safety down and sending a linebacker. But then they retreat, the safety sprints back and plays cover-2, and that linebacker drops back and plays in coverage. But sometimes, they line up and play with just one safety back and say, just beat us. They do a lot of stuff.

INJURY REPORT:

CLEMSON: Out: DT Rashaad Jackson (knee); Doubtful: CB Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder); Questionable: RB Jamie Harper (ankle).

ALABAMA: Probable: LB Charlie Higgenbotham (groin), WR Will Oakley (foot).