Clemson - FSU Pregame Notebook |
CLEMSON - Asked last week his opinion on the top college football
conferences, Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden responded with the usual safe bets - the Southeastern Conference and the Big 12. However, two games Saturday pointed out he very well may be right. Kentucky, which had lost its last five games to Florida by an average score of 52-16, pushed the Gators to the limit in the Swamp before falling by seven, 41-34. Meanwhile, Iowa State did more than push Nebraska. It bullied the Cornhuskers in a 36-15 victory behind a three touchdown performance from quarterback Seneca Wallace. "Top to bottom I'd say the Big 12 and SEC," Bowden said. "The history of football at those schools, compared to (the ACC) or others, makes a big difference." SPEED KILLS, OR AT LEAST HURTS Despite the loss to Louisville last Thursday, Florida State remains the most physical team on Clemson's schedule, Bowden said. "That's easy. They win the conference every year," he said. "And even last year look what they did to the ACC champs (Maryland). They scored 52 on them." The reason? "They're in the top five in recruiting every year," Bowden said. "It's just a matter of numbers. They lose one guy and they have any number of guys to replace him." OUT OF STATE When the Tigers take the field in Tallahassee Thursday they'll be lining up against Greg Jones, the Seminoles' starting tailback and South Carolina native. Jones chose FSU because Bobby Bowden promised to play him in the backfield. Most every other school recruiting Jones wanted to make him a linebacker. "He wanted to play tailback, so we had to promise him he would play tailback," the elder Bowden said. "The toughest competition we had recruiting him was Ohio State, because they give it to the tailback a whole bunch. But he probably also would have been an outstanding linebacker."
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