It's that time of year...

By Mark Sturgis  

AUGUST 26, 2010 10:04 a.m. (0)

Clemson and South Carolina fans have set high expectations for their teams once again.

Dabo Swinney led Clemson to the ACC Championship game in his first full season as head coach, and moving forward, the bar will be set high for his Tigers.

However, is that a realistic expectation for this season when you consider the Tigers have lost major contributors in the likes of CJ Spiller, Jacoby Ford and Ricky Sapp?  Most Clemson fans believe the Tigers should be competing for ACC championships year in and year out.

Clemson returns quarterback Kyle Parker after the Tiger faithful suffered a nervous offseason as Parker was chosen in the first round of June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies.

With an experienced offensive line and returning letterman at running back in Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper, combined with fullback Chad Diehl, the Tigers have the makings of a capable running game.

The wide receivers are the big question mark for this offense, but there is talent with Xavier Dye, Terrance Ashe and Marquan Jones.  Expect true freshman DeAndre Hopkins from nearby Daniel High School to provide immediate depth for this group.  The biggest threat in the passing game may very well come from talented sophomore tight end Dwayne Allen.

The 2010 schedule is by far the most difficult in recent years, as the Tigers have road games at Auburn, North Carolina, Boston College and Florida State.  Miami, Maryland, Georgia Tech, NC State and South Carolina are set for Death Valley.   Clemson opens the season with back to back home games against North Texas on Sept. 4 and Presbyterian on Sept. 11.

At South Carolina, expectations that soared after an impressive 34-17 win against Clemson in November were somewhat tempered by a 20-7 loss to UConn at the frigid Papa Johns Bowl in Birmingham.

With 17 starters returning and an experienced quarterback in Stephen Garcia, including quality depth at both the running back and wide receiver positions, this season is expected to be the most successful yet under Steve Spurrier, now in his sixth campaign with the Gamecocks.

However, the lack of depth across the offensive line may eventually dampen those rising expectations, as the Gamecocks head in to next week’s opener with nine healthy offensive lineman.

Kenny Myles and Jarvis Giles return as tailbacks, but all eyes are on Marcus Lattimore, the Palmetto State’s top ranked recruit this past season and former Byrnes running back.

The deepest position on the team will be wide receiver, where Alshon Jeffery, Tori Gurley, and DL Moore will provide match-up nightmares for opposing defenses due to their size.  Tight end Wesley Saunders is expected to provide an exciting alternative, but his season is on hold as the NCAA investigates Saunders and other athletes at North Carolina and Alabama for their role in a paid trip to Miami this summer.  Tackle Jarriel King and Guard Terrance Campbell anchor the offensive line.

The Gamecock defense will again be strong, led by Cliff Mathews and Devin Taylor at defensive end, and Travian Robertson inside.

The Gamecocks have yet another tough schedule this season, ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation in difficulty.  Home games include Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Furman and Troy, while road contests consist of Auburn, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida and Clemson.  Carolina kicks off the season with a home game against Southern Miss on Thursday, Sept. 2 before Georgia invades Williams Brice Stadium on Sept. 11.

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