Bowden: Lines Will Have To Play Well To Beat Maryland |
CLEMSON - The fact that Clemson's offensive and defensive lines pushed around
North Carolina in last week's 42-12 win wasn't much of a surprise. Doing the same thing this week against No. 19 Maryland would be. The Terrapins will present a larger, more physical group for Clemson on each side of the ball Saturday at Death Valley. Wednesday, Tigers' head coach Tommy Bowden said it was no secret that the battle of the trenches will determine this week's winner. "Right now (Maryland's) older, got a lot more experience and they're playing with a lot of confidence," he said. "They'll be a lot more active than North Carolina because they've got a lot more experience in the trenches. There's no doubt the game will come down to how our (defensive) front four and our (offensive) front five play." The Terps have taken to head coach Ralph Friedgen's complex offense well, which means the Tigers' defensive front, especially, will be under the gun Saturday. Not only will Maryland run tailback Bruce Perry between the tackles, but Friedgen's offense also consists of multiple formations, running the option and making use of the play-action pass. "It presents problems for your secondary lining up," Bowden said. "Here's trips, and of course option assignments. It involves your ends on (taking) the dive, quarterback or pitch. So it's a lot more complicated in that regard." Bowden also said he expects Maryland to use their safeties in blitz situations, trying to disguise coverage and send pressure from unexpected sources. "They play a lot of man-free. One of them is involved in coverage and one can help with the run," he said. NOTES - Footballscoop.com, a website devoted to reporting rumored coaching moves throughout the world of college football, came up with a doozy Wednesday. Besides the usual talk of Clemson assistants Rodney Allison (Tennessee-Chattanooga) and Mike O'Cain or Brad Scott (Appalachian State) leaving for other jobs, the site reported that Bowden had informed his assistant coaches he plans to resign the day after the team's bowl game. It also had him listed as a possible candidate for the opening at Baylor. "Well I've got one answer," Bowden said when informed of the rumor. "Is the water on Lake Hartwell up? The answer is no. If it ain't, I'd say it's all false. If the water in Lake Hartwell ain't up, I'm here. "There might be a committee up to blow the dam up at Keowee," he added with a laugh. "I don't know about that. But right as of today the water ain't up, and I don't think it will be up by December, either." - Bowden said fullback Chad Jasmin (ankle) likely will be listed as questionable for Saturday.
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