Raise your hand if you thought Florida State's defense would be better than Clemson's at this point of the season.
The Seminoles were miserable last year, and significant improvement wasn't a guarantee this year given the personnel losses they suffered: end Kevin McNeil, linebacker Dekoda Watson, cornerback Patrick Robinson, safety Jamie Robinson and rover Korey Mangum.
Last year, Florida State ranked 108th nationally in rushing defense at 204 yards per game. Now, the Seminoles are giving up 93.8 (Clemson is giving up 163.2).
Florida State ranks atop the ACC in scoring defense, giving up 15.7 points per game (Clemson is sixth at 21.8).
Florida State ranks atop the ACC in sacks with 26 for 162 yards (Clemson is fifth with 14 for 82).
Defense was supposed to be the reason Clemson could overcome the loss of C.J. Spiller. To some, including yours truly, it was the reason the Tigers could end up being better than the Seminoles (emphasis on "could").
The Tigers suffered some substantial losses themselves -- Sapp, Chancellor, Butler, Conner, Alexander -- but there was a boatload of experienced talent filling the holes.
The comparison with Florida State is compelling because of the contrasting philosophies used by the two defensive coordinators. After years of the aggressive, man-to-man approach under Mickey Andrews, first-year coordinator Mark Stoops went to a more conservative zone to minimize the big plays that impaled the Seminoles in recent years.
Early in the season, I thought Florida State's front four wasn't imposing enough to make such a philosophy work. They've been plenty imposing, as evidenced by the sacks totals and rush defense.
Here at Clemson, Kevin Steele went to more aggression and man-to-man principles after Vic Koenning's zone-based stuff. There has been an increase in big plays surrendered, a larger number of busts and miscommunication that leave guys running free.
Over the past year, dating to a 38-3 demolition of Wake Forest, I'd submit that on just one occasion have Clemson fans walked away from a game feeling really good about their defense: a 21-13 win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl (and even in that game, there were some big busts in the first half).
I'm not calling for Steele to revamp his approach and go zone. The man has forgotten more football than I'll ever know.
But it is interesting to note the reasons behind Florida State's rapid defensive improvement. How many years were the Seminoles known for the boneheaded busts we're now seeing of the Tigers with regularity? Doesn't Clemson have a deep and disruptive front four that can impose problems by itself?
Jacory Harris didn't exactly have an easy time navigating Clemson's defense. He finished 14 of 33 (42.4 percent) for 205 yards and two picks.
Last week against Florida State, Harris was 19 of 47 (40.4 percent) for 225 and one interception.
The difference, of course, was Harris hitting wide-open receivers for easy touchdowns against Clemson.
Would those plays happen with such frequency if the Tigers were in zone?
Just sayin...
On to this week's rankings:
1. Florida State (last week-2)--Seminoles are rushing for 223 yards a game. Running for 300 yards and averaging more than 7 yards a carry is darned impressive against Miami.
2. Virginia Tech (LW-3)--Take away one half of bad football against James Madison, and there's not much bad about this team. They still do have some issues on defense, however.
3. Miami (LW-1)--Yes, I still think the Hurricanes are better than N.C. State. Not going to fall into the trap of crowning a team or burying it based on one game. The Hurricanes were bad Saturday night, but they're better than that.
4. N.C. State (LW-5)--Big showdown in Raleigh against Florida State on Oct. 28. But the Wolfpack will have its hands full at East Carolina this week.
5. North Carolina (LW-6)--Even without all the suspended studs, Tar Heels are far more talented than I envisioned. Particularly on the defensive line.
6. Clemson (LW-4)--The schedule is manageable. But lose one of the next three, and things get really ugly around here.
7. Georgia Tech (LW-7)--I don't care how bad the defense is. If you're a Clemson fan, you're uneasy about facing that offense next week.
8. Maryland (LW-8)--Still don't think the Terps are any good. But they were worse last year and still managed to beat Clemson, so...
9. Virginia (LW-10)--Yes, the Cavs move up a spot after losing. You'll find out why in a moment.
10. Boston College (LW-9)--They have rushed for 89.8 yards per game. So long, Magnum.
11. Wake Forest (LW-11)--Dating to late 2008, the Deacons are 0 for 9 in games decided by four points or less. OUCH.
12. Duke (LW-12)--Could get ugly this week against a ticked-off Miami squadron.
Patrick Stevens, who does an exceptional job of covering Maryland, digs up this stat on Clemson's history of 0-2 ACC starts:
Clemson has never gone to a bowl game after losing its first two ACC games.
Here are the details.
This news is a bit old, but Ralph Friedgen's new boss says he's doing "a fantastic job."
Easy there, hoss. Take a look at the Terps' victories (lucky win over Navy, Morgan State, Florida International, Duke), and take into account that pummeling they suffered at West Virginia, and it becomes a bit less fantastic.
The Wolfpack is anticipating fireworks against East Carolina.
Tom O'Brien says the Pack is clanged up.
The draft status of North Carolina's troubled players is likely dented.
Coach Butch Davis, who was an NFL head coach for four years and an NFL assistant for six, said sitting out the 2010 season won't help Quinn, Austin or Little.
"Different teams and different people have different criteria," Davis said. "There will be some people that look at it as no big deal, and there will be some teams that look at it as a significantly big deal."
Could Middle Tennessee give Georgia Tech some trouble? I say yes.
Paul Johnson says Blue Raiders QB Dwight Dasher is Russell Wilson on steroids.
Heather Dinich ranks this week's ACC games, and how bad is the slate when Maryland at Clemson is No. 1?
LW
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