what clemson fans are saying about auburn

[aubiefifty 18,230]

What Clemson fans are saying about Auburn

Stan Chrapowicki | 43 MIN AGO

 

 

even though Clemson is the favorite going into Saturday night’s season opener against Auburn, the SEC’s Tigers do at least have history on their side.

AU has a clear-cut upper hand in the all-time series between the two teams, going 34-13-2 against Clemson. Then again, a bubble is somewhat bursted when considering Clemson has won the last two matchups entering this season.

With the fact that Auburn and Clemson have met just six times since 1971, it’s a little surprising that the hype for this game hasn’t been bigger. But there might be a very good reason for that.

The opening week of the season could be the biggest one in college football history. Historically, week 1 has served as an opportunity for powerhouses to feast on nonconference cupcakes.

But in 2016, that is definitely not the case. More so than any other time in recent memory, teams are kicking off the season against equal – if not superior – opponents.

There is no shortage of sexy SEC-ACC matchups. Auburn is playing host to Clemson, the team Alabama beat for last season’s national championship. Ole Miss takes on Florida State in Orlando – in what is essentially a home game for the Seminoles – and Georgia will face North Carolina at the Georgia Dome.

According to Vegas, the Georgia-UNC game is expected to be competitive. When it comes to the Rebels vs. Seminoles tilt and the Tigers vs. Tigers tussle, both SEC teams are getting at least a touchdown.

What are Clemson fans saying about Auburn? Do they feel their team will win?

Trash talk between the two fan bases has given this game a little more buzz. Clemson fans have been on the receiving end of more of it than usual thanks to a T-shirt that boasted about Alabama tight end O.J. Howard’s performance against the Tigers in last season’s national title game.

Despite the fact that their team couldn’t beat Bama, Clemson fans are using the Auburn game to promote the power of the ACC. Meanwhile, Auburn – in its latest big game against an ACC team – can do to Clemson what it couldn’t do against Florida State in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. And that’s win.

 

 

As far as talk actually related to on-field activities, Clemson fans seem confident about two things and concerned about two things.

Concerns:

1. Clemson fans’ greatest concern is in the secondary. Cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green have moved on to the NFL, while safety Jefferie Gibson has transferred. Cordrea Tankersley, whose 887 snaps led Clemson last season, is the lone returning starter in the defensive backfield. Coordinator Brent Venables’ defense features talented players in Van Smith, Jadar Johnson, Marcus Edmond, Ryan Carter and Mark Fields, but all of them lack experience and could be exploited.

2. The other concern is the possibility that Clemson’s schedule might be too weak. Yes, Auburn plays in the toughest division in college football in the SEC West, but a victory over Gus Malzahn’s Tigers might not jump out on Clemson’s résumé by the end of the season. Clemson has just two ranked teams on its slate, and a loss at Florida State on Oct. 29 could very well knock it out of the ACC and national championship races. Playing an SEC East team might not help either. A win over rebuilding South Carolina and nonconference games against Troy and South Carolina State won’t produce much of a boost.

Areas of confidence:

1. Clemson’s offense is a matchup problem for any team. Just ask Alabama, whom Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson burned for 478 total yards (405 passing, 73 rushing) and 4 touchdowns in last season’s national championship game. Seven of Clemson’s top nine pass-catchers from last season – including four who had at least 5 TD receptions – have returned, which gives Watson plenty of targets. Plus, Wayne Gallman – who set a single-season school record by rushing for 1,527 yards — is also back, so Clemson has no shortage of weapons, and its backers know that.

2. Clemson fans also believe their team has a big advantage on defense against Auburn’s offense. AU starting quarterback Sean White goes into the Clemson game with seven career starts, but he doesn’t really have any potential receiving targets who will prevent Venables’ group from blitzing whenever it can. Plus, even if White happens to get going in the passing game, Auburn’s lack of a true feature back will make things less complicated for Clemson’s defense. Even though Clemson lost six defensive players to the NFL in the offseason, its fans believe that Venables can rebuild the D.

 

 

[lionheartkc 6,150]

13 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

Clemson fans also believe their team has a big advantage on defense against Auburn’s offense. AU starting quarterback Sean White goes into the Clemson game with seven career starts, but he doesn’t really have any potential receiving targets who will prevent Venables’ group from blitzing whenever it can. Plus, even if White happens to get going in the passing game, Auburn’s lack of a true feature back will make things less complicated for Clemson’s defense. Even though Clemson lost six defensive players to the NFL in the offseason, its fans believe that Venables can rebuild the D.

While what the fans think means nothing... I hope the team feels this way... Especially about the receivers and featured back situation. While there's a chance that this could be correct, I have a feeling both our backs and our receiving corps are going to surprise a lot of people on Saturday.

[abw0004 10,303]

2 minutes ago, lionheartkc said:

While what the fans think means nothing... I hope the team feels this way... Especially about the receivers and featured back situation. While there's a chance that this could be correct, I have a feeling both our backs and our receiving corps are going to surprise a lot of people on Saturday.

Agreed.

[aujeff11 6,243]

Tomorrow afternoon when I arrive at Myrtle Beach, I'll let you know what the Clemson fans are saying. If it's anything like it was in 2013, the Clemson fans will be very cocky and will be filling the restaurants and bars with their apparel and Clemson chants.

[triangletiger 1,599]

Chrapowicki - that's quite a name.

[homersapien 12,228]

Well, as far as the sports radio talk up here (WCCP), virtually all of the talk has been about FSU and GT.  Their fans seem to be taking a win over Auburn for granted.  

Again, that's the fans.  It's hard for me to believe that Dabo would let his team look past us.

Hoping for the upset, even though I will be watching the game from a very hostile location in a local bar.  Wish me luck in getting out safely if we win.  

[Charleston Tiger 134]

1 hour ago, aujeff11 said:

Tomorrow afternoon when I arrive at Myrtle Beach, I'll let you know what the Clemson fans are saying. If it's anything like it was in 2013, the Clemson fans will be very cocky and will be filling the restaurants and bars with their apparel and Clemson chants.

They have been in Myrtle and Charleston for a while. Especially with Cocky being down.

They also are criticizing us at every opportunity for "only suspending the guy that had a gun for one game" because they fail to utilize reading comprehension and see that the suspension is week by week and could extend. But no one ever accused Taters of being smart.

[tbone4jc 2,362]

Living in Charlotte I hear most Clemson fans saying this is an easy win for them. There is talk of a blowout from most. I have my flags flying so I get a lot of smack from more than a few. They are totally over confident putting it mild. War Eagle! 

 

[Tiger 8,854]

They are about as confident as we were heading into the 2014 season, and they should be IMO

[AUcivE09 582]

28 minutes ago, Tiger said:

They are about as confident as we were heading into the 2014 season, and they should be IMO

This. They have in Watson what we thought we had in JJ. They just assume that they will out-shoot anyone and for good reason. Talent wise across the board we are about even with AU having a slight advantage - but have a freak QB gives any team and edge unless you are uat. Jameis, Cam, Tebow, Cardale all won titles with Watson, Marriota, and Nick all getting dang close. Even before them you had Colt, Leinart, and Palmer with Troy, Bradford and Campbell all getting close. Honestly, it seems saban is the only guy that can win a title, or get close, without a great QB. And everyone else in the recent history running has had one. Give us Watson, Barrett, Dobbs, Kelly, Kaaya, Mayfield, or Rosen and we would claim to be world beaters!

[aucanucktiger 1,889]

Hanging around the top 10 for any length of time is new to Clemson football fans - right now they are comparable to the Oregon neaveau riche fans we dealt with in 2010. 

[boisnumber1 2,915]

Stan Chewbacca knows next to nothing about AU. Looks like he scanned a couple websites then wrote this. Other than that, I agree Clemson should be confident. I just hope we ruin their Saturday. 

[AUsince72 11,084]

I hope Clemson fans aren't saying TOO many bad things about Auburn.  It might hurt our feelings... 

 

[WDEKC 187]

So one of their biggest concerns is they think we aren't good enough to boost their Strength of Schedule for playoff chances? I hope that's what they are thinking about when they come to play.

[keesler 5,957]

2 hours ago, Tiger said:

20 minutes ago, WDEKC said:

So one of their biggest concerns is they think we aren't good enough to boost their Strength of Schedule for playoff chances? I hope that's what they are thinking about when they come to play.

Auburn hasn't done a damn thing to strengthen anyone's SOS in the last 2 years dude.

No one is afraid of Auburn right now and they won't be until Auburn mans up and PUTS the fear in them on the damn field.

 

[keesler 5,957]

48 minutes ago, aucanucktiger said:

Hanging around the top 10 for any length of time is new to Clemson football fans - right now they are comparable to the Oregon neaveau riche fans we dealt with in 2010. 

I'd just like to see Auburn hang around the top 10 rankings for a while in something other than recruiting rankings.

[WDEKC 187]

8 minutes ago, keesler said:

 

oh ok

[aubaseball 2,819]

biggest question will be can we score with them.   If not for an on sides kick,  Clemson might have beaten bama.   I am not sure that we can, hopefully I will get surprised.

 

[Mikey 16,781]

This tells me all I need to know about this alleged "writer". Quote:" Then again, a bubble is somewhat bursted when considering......"

From an online dictionary: " Bursted is an old form that still appears colloquially, but it is widely considered incorrect and is best avoided in formal writing. It always bears replacement with the uninflected burst.

He must be a bammer journalism grad, brought to Clemson along with Dabbo.

[Tiger 8,854]

17 hours ago, keesler said:

 

I didn't make this post that I'm being quoted in. I'm confused lol

 

Edit: Now it shows up as blank?

[Woodstock Tiger 131]

The more I read about Clemson's defense, the more I think this game will be a shootout.  4 returning starters on that side (one who is out this game with a leg injury).  The press seems to think Venables has simply reloaded and they'll be in the AU backfield all night long.  They get a total pass on the fact they have youth and inexperience all over that side of the ball.  I was dreading this game a while back.  I'm looking forward to watching it.  Nothing to lose by the good guys, and everything to lose by the bad guys.  I like it.