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Dynasty Maker [3161]
TigerPulse: 100%
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My Duke CU Assessment Based on Facts Available
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Aug 30, 2023, 3:29 PM
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Not making a prediction (we're going to win), but I keep hearing a lot of gnashing of teeth and seeing a lot of towel wringing about this game. Can we lose? Yes, if we beat ourselves. But I think the wonderful 9-4 season Duke had is being blown out of proportion.
Last year, the following is fact. I used Sagarin and NCAA Football Stats.
Clemson ended up rated 14th and was 11-3 against the 48th toughest schedule (72.86), Top 10 (0-1), Top 30 (2-2)
Duke ended up rated 44th and was 9-4 against the 74th toughest schedule (66.93), Top 10 (0-0), Top 30 (0-0)
Common Opponents
Georgia Tech
Clemson (W) 41 - 10
Duke (L) 20 - 23
UNC
Clemson (W) 39 - 10
Duke (L) 35 - 38
Miami
Clemson (W) 40 - 10
Duke (W) 45 - 21
Boston College
Clemson (W) 31 - 3
Duke (W) 38 - 31
Wake
Clemson (W) 51 - 45
Duke (W) 34 - 31
Duke returns a lot of starters and will probably be a good team, but I believe we'll be much better.
I think the following will be as good or improved this year, but some may take a few games to gel.
Overall Coaching - More fire
Offensive Coordinator - GR is an innovator and I can't wait to see what we become. I hope we do, but I don't expect us to come out looking like TCU at the end of last year.
Defensive Coordinator - I get some are not sold, but a years experience should show great benefits.
QB - Cade has much better upside, decision making, speed, and fits our system better.
RB - Ship and Mafah
TE - Great players, depth, and a better system
WRs - Better QB play and system. I hope we reach our potential, but we almost can't be worse.
OL - We're not Bama, but we look pretty good. Need to stay healthy.
DL and LBs - Arguably the best in the nation. Injuries could change that if we don't develop depth.
CB/S - Great talent and depth. A year older.
Punter - Should be better.
Kicker is my biggest worry because nothing is proven. I feel good about KOs, but FGs under pressure are a lot different than practice. Time will tell.
Can't wait for Monday Night.
Go Tigers!
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Clemson Icon [27767]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Reasonable assessment IMO, as I believe the only way
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Aug 31, 2023, 5:17 AM
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we could lose is if we beat ourselves.
For years I've regarded the season opener like a shakedown cruise from which we start making adjustments. The leveler is the fact it will also be Duke's first. And I don't think our staff nor team have any ideas about going to Duke and being embarrassed.
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [102961]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Joined: 2009
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It's DUKE!
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Aug 31, 2023, 5:37 AM
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Duke hasn't played football since SOS Left back in the 1900s. What 1987-8?
If we blow them out it will be because they cry uncle early. Dabo will play backups early and often and call plays he knows the guys need to work on. He will call some plays which he believes they've mastered to give them confidence but he will mix and match between the two in order to harden them with some manufactured adversity. He's been pulling that carp for years.
We all should be well aware of the routine by now.
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All-TigerNet [6043]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: My Duke CU Assessment Based on Facts Available
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Aug 31, 2023, 7:37 AM
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Excellent analysis. It was eye opening to put it mildly. I'm not sure what exactly Clemson looks like in game one, but short of an implosion like the SCAR game last year I expect a win. Really looking forward to seeing GR and the offense.
My only disagreement would be on your analysis of our OL and the 'Bama comment. 'Bama isn't 'Bama anymore on the OL; they have regressed over the past few seasons. Their RB's consistently struggle to run the ball against quality opponents, especially in short yardage.
Here's hoping our OL is solid, if not spectacular, and our RB's run over, past, and through every team we play.
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