Why does everyone have us going 0-3 vs. UGA, FSU and SCar...

I can understand FSU (returning a lot on both sides of the ball, last year's thumping and them being reigning champs), but both Georgia and SCar have to replace a lot and I can't see either of them being as competitive as people think.

Georgia, not as much as the other, still has to replace Aaron Murray and some key defensive positions while learning a new scheme (seems like they're always "young but talented" on defense recently). With SC, I just don't see it this year. 1) they lost Shaw and Ellington on offense. Yes, they return Davis, a few receivers and supposedly a good offensive line coming back, but they weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard most games with Shaw back there last year... And 2) on defense, they lose most of the line and some linebackers on what was supposed to be an all-world defense the last couple years...

Maybe I'm wearing orange-tinted glasses, but I see us going 2-1, 1-2 at the worst in those games. Yes, we lost some serious talent on offense, but we are still so deep at the WR, running back and TE positions and our O-line is working to improve. Plus, I believe that Stoudt will take advantage of his moment to shine. Add in a defense that REALLY is one of the best in the nation (not just billed that way SCar and UGA) and I honestly see us having a good showing against those three...

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Jun 3, 2014, 9:23 AM [ in reply to Why does everyone have us going 0-3 vs. UGA, FSU and SCar... ]

This is what the casual observer sees
UGA - on the road with a QB that has never started a game
FSU - Killed by them at home last year. Why would you expect to win that game on the road with a QB making his 3rd start against an FSU team that returns largely in tact on offense from last year that destroyed you in your place.
USC - Win one then we'll talk as to why you should pick Clemson.

It's not realistic for us to expect that national publications are going to look at Cole Stoudt as a better QB than Boyd or to think that the recent ownership of our football team by S. Carolina is just going end this year.

Of the three the only one I don't see us having much chance in is the FSU game unless I'm just vastly underrating how good Stoudt will be in Game 3 as a starter.

UGA has similar issues that we have and I think our defense is better which bodes well for early season games. If we don't make mistakes it's a winnable game but nobody should be terribly disappointed to go into that environment, play well, and still come out with a loss. They recruit just as well or better than we do most years and we have 4 contributing players suspended.

USC is good in the trenches and despite the loss of Clowney I still think they'll be the more physical team. The question is, will their offense run as well with Shaw gone. He was an underrated performer for them and it certainly makes them beatable.

Going 2-1 against those three teams isn't unrealistic, but it's no lock either.

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Athlon has released predictions for theACC standings in 2014

Re: Athlon has released predictions for theACC standings in 2014

Nice try Athlon but I just dont see us losing to SC State and GA State this year***

No way in the world VaTech wins Coastal

Agree, VT isn't winning anything this year

I think the same

Put yourself on the outside looking in

Re: Athlon has released predictions for theACC standings in 2014

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