Thoughts from the weekend

Whats wrong with Cullen Harper?
It's apparent he's not the same QB as last year, when he threw for 2,991 yards, 27 TDs and only 6 interceptions. Through 4 games in 2008 he's thrown for 793 yards, 3 TDs and 4 interceptions. Two of those games have been against I-AA teams.

Not sure if his shoulder is still injured, if he is going through a "sophomore" slump, he's lost confidence, or he played above his head last year. Whatever it is Clemson needs Harper to return to form soon. Like this week.

From all accounts he looked horrible Saturday in the 54-0 drubbing of S.C. State. 15/24, 151 yards, 0 TDs, 2 interceptions. Meanwhile, Willy Korn steps in and goes 7/7 for 76 yards and a TD, while running for 19 more yards and another score.

Something to keep an eye on.

Turnovers and Penalties
As we mentioned last week, these are two areas that need improvement. Well, despite winning 54-0, there was not much improvement here. The two interceptions, along with 6 penalties for 45 yards, would spell doom against a better team. Again, something to keep an eye on.

Terps
Maryland is ranked 109th in pass defense, so there appears to be an opening there for the Tigers, assuming Harper is on. Maryland is middle of the road on run defense so the Tigers could have some issues running the ball (which I expect). Clemson really needs Davis or Spiller to break a big run or two to open things up. If not, it could be closer than expected.

Thoughts on the weekend past
For the second week in a row the ACC acquitted itself fairly well. Georgia Tech dismantled Mississippi State and Miami blasted Texas A&M. N.C. State rose up and beat everyone's darling, East Carolina, and Boston College handled Central Florida easily. Add in the Maryland and Clemson romps and the ACC had a perfect non-conference record.

The Wake-Florida State game wasn't a thing of beauty, but hey, neither was Auburn's 3-2 win over Mississippi State last weekend.

Virginia Tech edged North Carolina to go 2-0 in the ACC and take an early lead in the Coastal. This could be the battle for the division crown over the next few years, but let's not forget about Miami - who if they get some coaching and continue the talent infusion - is going to be a player. You heard it here first.

Rear View Mirror
There's still a long way to go in the season, but that loss to Alabama isn't looking so horrid anymore is it? The way it happened was still ugly. Clemson was unprepared and unemotional, but it's clear that Saban has Alabama working on all cylinders, at least to this point. The Tide heads to Georgia this week, so we should get a better gauge of how good they really are.

N.C. State also turned some heads by beating previously undefeated East Carolina. They haven't exactly had a cakewalk of a schedule early, playing South Carolina, Clemson and East Carolina in their first 4 games. Next up? South Florida. Yikes.