Bowden: Tigers Will Get Miami's Full Attention |
CLEMSON - Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden thinks he has an explanation for why North Carolina was able to beat Miami last week.
"Sometimes, where a team like North Carolina's not highly rated, you play down to your competition," he said after Monday's practice. "I think Florida State was like that. I think they were 14-0 vs. Maryland, and I think they played down to the competition. You can't do that. "I'm sure, unfortunately, we'll get their full attention. That's not good for us." The Hurricanes' loss to 31-28 loss in Chapel Hill was the third straight game in which they gave up at least 30 points. They've also averaged allowing 485 yards of offense during that stretch. Most notably, both N.C. State the previous week and North Carolina last Saturday ran the ball almost at will against Miami. Tar Heel tailback Chad Scott rushed for 175 of his team's 279 yards Saturday. Against the Wolfpack, the Hurricanes allowed T.A. McClendon to go for 145. Whether either of those trends bode well for Clemson when it visits the Orange Bowl this week, Bowden isn't sure. "They're going to be mad. We ain't exactly burning it up on offense, so we can help their average out, I'm sure," he said. "The key is being able to run on them...That ain't exactly our strong point either, ripping out about (96) yards a game rushing." Clemson Personnel Update •Vontrell Jamison (DT)--Suffered torn achilles tendon in the second half at Texas A&M and will miss the remainder of the season. •Roy Walker (FS)--Suffered a torn ACL over the summer and is out for the season. •Eric Sampson (WHIP)--Suffered a broken jaw in the fourth quarter at Virginia on Oct. 7. Had surgery on October 11 and will be out through the Miami game at least. •Chansi Stuckey (WR)--Questionable with ankle injury suffered against Maryland. He did not play against NC State.
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