4* - Clemson (-4?)
This season, Virginia Tech has beaten Northeastern, North Carolina, Duke, Cincinnati and Southern Mississippi by an average score of 39-6 which looks pretty impressive at first glance. The problem is that Northeastern is currently 3-2 in their Div. 1AA schedule, North Carolina has won only once, Duke is winless and Cincinnati is 4-4, making So. Miss the only Div. 1A team with a winning record that the Hokies have beaten.
Clemson has been one of the big surprises of the 2006 season and have gained some serious momentum in winning their last six games including a big one last week over Georgia Tech, who was ranked #13 before being pummeled in the 31-7 beat down. Although they have since fallen considerably, the Seminoles were also a ranked team when the Tigers beat them by a touchdown in Tallahassee in mid September. That was one week after Clemson lost by a point to another ranked team in Boston College and the Tigers also beat newly ranked Wake Forest three weeks ago by 10 points to hand the Deacons their only loss so far.
A comparison of common opponents shows that Clemson?s average score against Boston College, North Carolina and Georgia Tech has been 39-16 while Virginia Tech has not fared so well in averaging just 22-23 against the same teams. When considering all games played, Clemson is averaging 42 points while allowing 13 and Virginia Tech is scoring an average of 29 points while their opponents are scoring 10. In Clemson?s last five games, the scoring differential has been an amazing 224-40.
This Hokie team pales in comparison with those of recent memory and the Tigers will be their toughest opponent in 2006. Clemson is playing very good football right now as they currently boasts the No. 6 offense and No. 4 defense in the nation and while Va Tech?s No. 6 ranked defense is very tough, let?s not forget that Georgia Tech?s defensive unit was ranked No. 7 before allowing the Tigers to rush for 332 yards last week. Blacksburg not withstanding, behind sophomore QB Sean Glennon and his No. 72 ranked offense, the Hokies simply do not have the weapons to outscore Bowden?s boys who come into this game with considerable more experience against good teams.
This season, Virginia Tech has beaten Northeastern, North Carolina, Duke, Cincinnati and Southern Mississippi by an average score of 39-6 which looks pretty impressive at first glance. The problem is that Northeastern is currently 3-2 in their Div. 1AA schedule, North Carolina has won only once, Duke is winless and Cincinnati is 4-4, making So. Miss the only Div. 1A team with a winning record that the Hokies have beaten.
Clemson has been one of the big surprises of the 2006 season and have gained some serious momentum in winning their last six games including a big one last week over Georgia Tech, who was ranked #13 before being pummeled in the 31-7 beat down. Although they have since fallen considerably, the Seminoles were also a ranked team when the Tigers beat them by a touchdown in Tallahassee in mid September. That was one week after Clemson lost by a point to another ranked team in Boston College and the Tigers also beat newly ranked Wake Forest three weeks ago by 10 points to hand the Deacons their only loss so far.
A comparison of common opponents shows that Clemson?s average score against Boston College, North Carolina and Georgia Tech has been 39-16 while Virginia Tech has not fared so well in averaging just 22-23 against the same teams. When considering all games played, Clemson is averaging 42 points while allowing 13 and Virginia Tech is scoring an average of 29 points while their opponents are scoring 10. In Clemson?s last five games, the scoring differential has been an amazing 224-40.
This Hokie team pales in comparison with those of recent memory and the Tigers will be their toughest opponent in 2006. Clemson is playing very good football right now as they currently boasts the No. 6 offense and No. 4 defense in the nation and while Va Tech?s No. 6 ranked defense is very tough, let?s not forget that Georgia Tech?s defensive unit was ranked No. 7 before allowing the Tigers to rush for 332 yards last week. Blacksburg not withstanding, behind sophomore QB Sean Glennon and his No. 72 ranked offense, the Hokies simply do not have the weapons to outscore Bowden?s boys who come into this game with considerable more experience against good teams.
