re: Who has the advantage in week 1 of the Auburn/Clemson game?

Very true. I don't think that it would be an appropriate test, though. I don't think there's more than 3-4 secondaries in the country who could really handle Clemson's passing game with Watkins playing.

I'm sure Auburn's defense will be better this year, but I can't fathom them being so much better that they'll be able to control Watkins.

Honestly, this isn't a 'big game.' It's an out of conference game against a decent, but not great team. ETA: maybe it is for Clemson I'm kind of looking at it from a big program point of view

And I've seen Clemson over the last decade as a team that is pretty consistently good/bad over 9-10 games, has one absolutely confusing great performance, and two complete stinkers a year. It's never been a big game thing from my POV.

I could see Clemson getting to 42. Watkins could conceivably be better with a full year of S&C and practice under his belt. Like I said before it's all about their line play.

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It is a very big game for Clemson.

They stormed the field last year after they beat an average Auburn team, and Dabo has a ton of Bama in him. The odds of him suspending Watkins for this game are slim.

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Clemson fans storm the field after every win...the ACC allows for fans to take to the field after games, and they have made a tradition of it at CU...

That being said, it WAS a huge occasion for Clemson, regardless of average Auburn was. They were still defending national champions. Clemson doesn't get the opportunity to PLAY defending NCs much less beat them. I still don't think Clemson has ever played a #1-ranked opponent in CFB, much less beat them. USC played 3 such ranked opponents over a 2-year period in '09-'10 (UF in '09, UA & AU in '10).

It's just a whole 'nother world of experience for Clemson....

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Honestly, this isn't a 'big game.' It's an out of conference game against a decent, but not great team. ETA: maybe it is for Clemson I'm kind of looking at it from a big program point of view

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It's the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game. It's a pretty big game regardless of the program.

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I could see Clemson getting to 42. Watkins could conceivably be better with a full year of S&C and practice under his belt. Like I said before it's all about their line play.

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Watkins himself won't score 42 points. I just don't see them scoring 42. They destroyed our D last season at home and scored 38. And with a completely new OL going against our entire 2 deep DL returning, we will dominate the LOS

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Clemson announces RB Mike Bellamy has been ruled academically ineligible and will not play for the Tigers in '12. Headed to JUCO ranks

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Thanks to a Bama poster on SECRB.

I really don't know who I expect to win this game because I'm not sure what type of team Auburn will have. Clemson lost some important players along the line but they have offensive playmakers that quite simply, Auburn lacks at the moment. At the same time, Clemson has a way of being horrible in bigger games when the national media is focused on a game and I'm not sold on Dabo. I like the changes on the defensive side for Auburn, but I still think it will take time to implement. I don't think Auburn will be much improved offensively even though they weren't great last year.

I'll predict:
Auburn 27-24.

I still see Clemson being advantaged just because I hate jumping the gun on our still young talent.

at the people who think Dabo is going to sit Sammy