Dan Scott Prediction: USC - Clemson

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Sat Nov 20 00:11:03 GMT-04:00 2004

QUARTERBACK

After steadily improving in each of the four previous weeks, Charlie Whitehurst struggled last time out vs. Duke. Of course, his receivers still haven't been much help. Mobile quarterbacks like Syvelle Newton have hurt Clemson this season.

ADVANTAGE - Clemson

RUNNING BACK

Reggie Merriweather continues to share time with Duane Coleman despite having more than double Coleman's rushing yards and a 1.6 advantage in yards per carry. When healthy, USC's Demetris Summers is one of the best anywhere, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

ADVANTAGE - USC

WIDE RECEIVERS

For Clemson it continues to be Airese Currie and a cast of thousands. USC's Troy Williamson is a legitimate deep threat (20 yards per catch), and Cory Boyd is a weapon out of the backfield (32 receptions).

ADVANTAGE - USC

OFFENSIVE LINE

Like Whitehurst, Clemson's offensive line stalled a bit last week at Duke. They'll need to clear running lanes vs. a very talented USC front four, especially the defensive ends. The Gamecocks' line has cleared the way for 179 rushing yards per game.

ADVANTAGE - USC

RUN DEFENSE

The numbers here (135 yards per game allowed by USC, 142 by Clemson) are close overall, but the Tigers have really stepped it up over the last five weeks - allowing just over 60 yards per game in that span.

ADVANTAGE - Clemson

PASS DEFENSE

Duke found a hole in the middle of Clemson's pass defense a week ago. Florida found them all over the USC secondary. Still, both units have been reasonably solid all season.

ADVANTAGE - Clemson

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking game struggles vs. Duke were out of the ordinary for Clemson. Geoff Rigsby's long-snapping has him under the microscope. USC kicker Josh Brown has missed three of six kicks between 30-39 yards. His long is 43.

ADVANTAGE - Clemson

Operating under the assumption that Duke was a fluke, and unexpected bump in the road, I expect Clemson to bounce back this week. Spurrier talk may excite the Gamecocks, but the result Saturday won't. The Tigers, too, are going bowling...

THE PICK

Clemson 23, USC 16

Dan's Picks

Prediction	Actual
Wake Forest 30 Clemson 34	Wake Forest 30 Clemson 37 2OT	Correct
Georgia Tech 17 Clemson 27	Georgia Tech 28 Clemson 24	Incorrect
Texas A&M 17 Clemson 34	Texas A&M 27 Clemson 6	Incorrect
Florida State 31 Clemson 28	Florida State 41 Clemson 22	Correct
Virginia 28 Clemson 10	Virginia 30 Clemson 10	Correct
Utah State 21 Clemson 41	Utah State 6 Clemson 35	Correct
Maryland 17 Clemson 13	Maryland 7 Clemson 10	Incorrect
N.C. State 31 Clemson 20	NC State 20 Clemson 26	Incorrect
Clemson 21 Miami 27	Clemson 24 Miami 17 OT	Incorrect
Clemson 31 Miami Duke	Clemson 13 Duke 16	Incorrect