Thoughts after 3 games

We're 25% of the way through the season and I would say that Clemson is about 25% of the team everyone thought they would be.

While everyone that closely follows the Tigers knew that the offensive line would be a work in progress, the defense, or a lack thereof, has been the real surprise. Sure, the Wolfpack only scored 3 points on offense and had only 136 yards rushing (3.5/rush). However, if you add the yardage lost on two sacks (14 yards) and subtract those two carries from the "rushing" totals, you end up with 150 yards on 37 carries or 4.1 yards per carry - against a team that didn't have a first down until 28 minutes into their last game against William and Mary.

It's obvious that the loss of Rashaad Jackson is bigger than expected. Add in the loss of his replacement, Jamie Cumbie, the injury that has limited Ricky Sapp and the inexperience at linebacker and you have a recipe for disaster that may be playing out before our very eyes.

On offense the Tigers were hit and miss. Yes, they racked up 428 total yards, including 166 yards rushing against a pretty good defense. After throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the games first play, Cullen Harper recovered to finish 20 of 28 for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns (along with the one Int).

However, if you look a little closer at the rushing totals you see that 71 of the 166 yards came from someone other than a running back. While the end around is a staple of the Clemson offense (34 yards on two attempts) and Jacoby Ford had one 18 yard run while lined up in the backfield, the combination of Spiller and Davis totaling 95 yards on 24 carries is underwhelming to say the least. Davis in particular seems to be struggling with gaining yardage with the young offensive line. It appears that Spiller's running style is more suited to the talents of the line.

It's so bad that one has to wonder if Davis will in fact break the all-time Clemson rushing mark that seemed so certain before the season began. Davis is currently 683 yards from that record with 9 regular season games to go. While a bowl game is almost a certainty, the ACC Championship Game is not. So, let's split the difference and say Davis has 10 games left. He'll need to average 68.3 yards per game to break the record. With Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Boston College and South Carolina looming it could be tough sledding, especially with Davis splitting carries with Spiller.

That being said, a nice 150 yard game against S.C. State, Duke or Virginia (or all three) could make this a moot point. Just something to keep an eye on.

The good from Saturday? Aaron Kelly returned to form with 7 catches for 94 yards. Jacoby Ford came into his own with 6 catches for 106 yards (1 TD) and 48 yards rushing. C.J. Spiller averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored twice (one on the ground and once through the air).

But most of all - and I can't believe I'm saying this - the special teams looked solid. Jimmy Maners averaged 47.7 yards per punt. The kick coverage teams were solid as Tyler Grisham made play after play. Mark Buchholz made both field goal attempts (including one on an angle) and remains perfect on the year.

Two things to keep an eye on are turnovers and penalties. Over the last couple of years Clemson has had very few of either and that helped an average team play at an above average level. Clemson finished 9th in the nation in turnover margin in 2007 and 10th in fewest penalty yards per game. Through 3 games in 2008 the Tigers rank tied for 74th in turnover margin and 78th in penalty yards per game. On Saturday the Tigers had two turnovers (both by Harper) and accumulated 7 penalties for 75 yards. Both turnovers cost Clemson points and without these the game would have probably ended up being around 34-3. Clemson needs to improve in both of these areas if they are going to have any chance to win the ACC.