Re: Almost certainly will if they beat Miami

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They'll take a step back in the passing game, but...

Aug 19, 2014, 11:20 AM

I still think they'll be very good. First of all, Grantham is a scapegoat for a Georgia defense that was slow in the front 7 and weak in the secondary, and that simply didn't execute when it counted (of course, I'm thinking of the Auburn game, but also the Vandy game when they allowed 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter, even though they didn't allow many yards). Georgia's injury battered offense also put Georgia's defense in some tough situations last year against Vandy and Missouri, both teams that Georgia should've beaten.

Second of all, UofL is pretty stout in their front 7 and across the entire defense. Whether they're changing their scheme or not, we're talking about a defense that was second in the country last year in yards given up and 3rd in PPG. They were also the #1 ranked rushing defense and the #5 ranked pass defense. I know they lost a couple of their DL, but news from their practices has sounded pretty good. They also return three of their CBs who played a lot last year (two starters).

Third, despite losing Bridgewater, they've got a ton of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, including 3 or 4 really good running backs. Dominique Brown and Michael Dyer might be the best RB combo Clemson will see besides Georgia's. UofL also returns everybody on their OL except for their C, which will help Will Gardner in his first year starting at QB. They've also got one of the better WRs in the conference in Devante Parker, who'll be flanked by Eli Rogers (a senior who's had around 500 yards in receptions the last three years and was a 4- star player out of HS) and James Quick (a top 100 player from 2013).

Finally, after they play Miami, a tilt at Syracuse is their toughest test before they face Clemson. Considering they destroyed Miami in their bowl game last year, it seems like a safe bet to say they'll be in the top 15 at 6-0.