The actual value of bulletin-board material is questionable, because how long can the motivation from such things last over a three-hour game?
But I'm guessing Clemson's receiving corps will take some particular interest -- and likely exception -- to Florida State's receivers claiming they're the best in college football.
“I think we got the best receiving corps of the nation,” 6-foot-6 wideout Kelvin Benjamin added. “We got small skinny guys that are quick, that can’t be touched off the line, then we got the big guys who go get the ball; the red zone type of players.”
The Seminoles are no doubt loaded with some good receivers, and it's going to be intriguing to watch Benjamin. I would contend that Clemson's receivers are more established at the starting positions, and have more upside at the backup positions. You're just not going to find many reserves with the size, skill and speed of Charone Peake and Martavis Bryant. And there's no doubt in my mind that Germone Hopper will be feared once he gets a better grasp of the offense.
Another two peripheral pluses in favor of Clemson's receivers: A better thrower of downfield passes than E.J. Manuel, and a better offensive system that puts more stress on defenses.
On to a few Thursday links:
-- N.C. State's 2012 hopes are bolstered by a bunch of experienced offensive linemen.
Strong line play was a staple of Tom O’Brien’s teams in 10 seasons at Boston College. Six years into his tenure, O’Brien feels like he has built a unit in Raleigh comparable to the NFL-type players he had at Boston College.
“It certainly should be as good a line as we’ve had since I’ve been here,” O’Brien said.
With three seniors – guard R.J. Mattes, center Cam Wentz and guard Zach Allen – with 26 or more career starts and five players with at least 13 starts, the group will be O’Brien’s most experienced.
-- At Auburn, some notable snippets from Rivals beat guy Jay Tate:
* There may be no official starter at quarterback, but Kiehl Frazier walked away from the Tigers' scrimmage Wednesday night with some first-team confidence.
The sophomore competing with junior Clint Moseley for the top job, though Moseley didn't attempt any throws until a red-zone drill held late in the day.
"I feel like I've just gotten a lot better since spring," Frazier said. "A lot of stuff just football-wise - coverages, reads - I didn't know. So I feel like, from then to now, I've just progressed a lot. I'm farther ahead than where I thought I would be, but I'm probably where Coach (Scot) Loeffler probably expects all the quarterbacks to be."
* The first-team offense struggled against the first-team defense, observers said, though most carries Wednesday were allocated to walk-on tailbacks. During the first five possessions of first-team groups, the offense was forced into a quartet of three-and-outs.
* Moseley said recurring discomfort in his throwing shoulder is forcing him to lower his arm slot to limit pain.
He believes the arm strength remains near 100 percent, but the mechanical adjustment has been a challenge. Asked Wednesday night about what he brings to the table if his arm isn't as valuable as usual, Moseley didn't hesitate.
"Command of the offense, running it," he said. "I feel like this offense fits me pretty well. I'm not exactly a runner, so I feel like it really focuses on more drop-back things to me and the wide zone plays. So I feel like I command the offense pretty well."
-- Virginia Tech receiver Marcus Davis certainly looks the part. Is this the year he actually plays the part?
The moment Virginia Tech wide receiver Marcus Davis arrived on campus four years ago, he was hailed as one of the best athletes to ever come through the program. Teammates and coaches were in awe over how a 6-foot-4, 234-pound specimen could have a school-record 43-inch vertical jump and run the 40-yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds.
The only problem was that Davis’s production on the field has never matched his acclaim off it. But on the cusp of his final collegiate season, he has a simple answer for what has separated him from the monster year so many around Blacksburg have predicted.
“Playing behind two great receivers that are in the NFL,” Davis said matter-of-factly.
LW
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