Tigers on the prowl.

If anybody hasn't been paying attention to the Clemson Tigers, their body of work over the last 3 weeks should be enough to merit a look.  


First, they started by knocking off defending national champions Auburn 38-24 (in impressive fashion too), ending Auburn's 17 game win streak.  Then, they continued their recent home dominance against Florida State, winning 35-30.  And for their final act, they traveled to Blacksburg, VA, (a very tough place to play) and basically just dominated Virginia Tech, winning 23-3; becoming the first ACC team to beat ranked opponents 3 weeks in a row.

Hokies QB Logan Thomas could not escape the eye
of the Tiger.

Their wins against Auburn and Florida State came within the confines of their vaunted "Death Valley" stadium, and most pundits didn't give them much of a chance against Virginia Tech; being that this was Clemson's first outing away from home.  Like I mentioned earlier, not too many teams come out looking good after a visit to Blacksburg.  However, the Tigers had other plans.


While their offense took most of the most of the plaudits over the last few weeks (and rightfully so), it was Clemson's defensive performance that stole show, holding the Hokies to only a field goal, while forcing 2 turnovers (an interception and fumble recovery), and 4-16 on 3rd downs.  Also of note, Clemson snapped Virginia Tech's 12 game win streak in league play.


With Miami facing NCAA sanctions, and Florida State not quite where they were hoping to be at this point in the season, Clemson has not wasted any time to stake their claim as possibly the best team in the conference.  Of course, they still have that showdown against Georgia Tech on October 29, in what will likely be a preview of the ACC title game.

Tajh Boyd's performances has opened
eyes across the landscape.

Outside of Georgia Tech's "triple option" attack, Clemson has a very potent offense led by sophomore QB Tajh Boyd.  A native of Hampton, VA, Boyd has been nothing short of exciting, passing for over 1400 yards and 14 TDs against 2 INTs.  Should he keep up at this rate, he will most likely be the first Tiger QB to get serious Heisman hype since the days of the recording setting Woody Dantzler.


Also another player worth mentioning is freshman receiver, Sammy Watkins.  Over the last couple of weeks, he emerged as Boyd's favorite target, making big plays in the wins against Auburn and Florida State.  While he had an off day against Virginia Tech, junior Tight End Dwayne Allen picked up the slack.  Also chipping in were running backs Andre Ellington and Mike Bellamy (whose 31 yd TD run sealed Clemson's win over the Hokies).


The ACC has proven to be a very unpredictable "dog eat dog" kind of league.  Today you're hot, tomorrow you're not; you can never really know who's going to win on any given weekend.  While Clemson are sitting pretty at the moment, even they know there's still some work to do if they are to win the league.

Dabo Sweeney has had a lot laugh about over
the last three weeks.

After going through a tricky conference schedule, Clemson close their regular season on the road against the rival South Carolina Gamecocks.  While a loss to the Gamecocks wouldn't ruin the Tigers' shot at a BCS bowl, it would wipe out any shot at a national title should Clemson find themselves in that position.


Whether Clemson emerges as the top team out of the ACC remains to be seen, but what we know is they'll definitely put on quite the show.

A little bit of defense, a whole lotta Luck!!

 

Stanford made every minute of the 3,000 mile trip to the Orange Bowl count in their beatdown of a resurgent Virginia Tech team.  As the game wore on, the talk became less about the game and more about whether Andrew Luck would declare for the NFL draft.  This in addition to speculation that Jim Harbaugh was coaching his last game for the Cardinal.

First things first, I've got to give Virginia Tech their due credit.  Following losses to Boise State and James Madison (a 1-AA team), they put together an 11 game win streak to earn their 3rd ACC crown in 4 years, largely behind the performances of running back Ryan Williams, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and a dominant defense.  With Williams nursing an injury going into the Orange Bowl, the Hokies offense lacked the edge they needed to compete against a physical Stanford defense.


 Plunkett & Elway were both drafted #1 overall

Behind a power run game and multiple tight-end sets, Andrew Luck was able to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, who have him locked in as the #1 overall pick, should he decide to make the jump to the next level.  That will see him join the elite company of former Stanford greats Jim Plunkett and John Elway, who were both drafted #1 overall in their respective drafts and won Super Bowls during their outstanding NFL careers.  Plunkett and Elway were also in attendance.  It wasn't only the scouts who were drooling over Andrew Luck, but also analysts John Gruden and Ron Jaworski as well, who couldn't seem to run out of words to describe this kid's greatness; as if we didn't know already.


The last hurrah?  

I'll tip my hat off to the Cardinal defense.  They harassed Tyrod Taylor and shut down Hokies running game.  What was more impressive was that they pitched a second half shutout against a team that had always found a way to get back up after getting knocked down.  It goes to show that their meltdown in against Oregon - a game in which they led 21-3 at one point only to lose 52-31 - was a one time thing.  Linebacker Shayne Skov put on quite a defensive show and Owen Marecic a.k.a "The modern day 60 minute man", helped himself to a score on offense and a quarterback sack.  Marecic also delivered a key block that paved the way for the game's opening score; a 60 yard touchdown run by Jeremy Stewart.

After the dust had settled, questions came in left and right as to whether this was indeed the last game for both Luck and Harbaugh.  Both did everything they could to deflect the questions which will only keep coming in the days ahead.  Jim Harbaugh seems destined to coach in the pro ranks, just like his brother, John, who has had some success with the Baltimore Ravens.  It may be that both Luck and Harbaugh are waiting to see what the other will do; more like a "I'll stay if you stay" kind of a deal.

With NFL jobs opening up like a Starbucks drive-thru lane after a morning rush, Harbaugh is definitely spoilt for choice.  One place that he won't end up however is Michigan, where he once starred as a quarterback.  The story goes that he was at one time interested in the quarterbacks coach job, but the Wolverines took a pass on him (no pun intended).  He's never forgotten that slight by his alma mater, and will likely turn the down the head coaching job if and when it's offered to him.

Andrew Luck on the other hand is most likely to be the next great quarterback out of Stanford since John Elway.  Having led Stanford to its best season in school history and first bowl win since the 1996 Sun Bowl, there really isn't anything else left for him to prove.  Should his draft stock go any higher, it will probably hit the stratosphere.

I have every reason to believe that in the days to come, both Luck and Harbaugh will be preparing to take their talents elsewhere.  As it is, the Carolina Panthers, who just recently fired John Fox, hold the #1 pick in next year's draft.  Could it be that maybe both teacher and disciple will re-unite in Charlotte, NC?