Troy @ Clemson preview
Clemson Memorial Stadium
THE STORY: The Troy Trojans have dominated the Sun Belt Conference in recent years, but they've been short on signature non-conference wins despite several close calls. The Clemson Tigers would like to keep it that way by continuing their dominance against Sun Belt squads when the teams open the season Saturday at Clemson's Memorial Stadium. It's their first-ever meeting.
TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: Clemson -16
ABOUT TROY (2010: 8-5, 6-2 Sun Belt): Larry Blakeney enters his 21st season coaching the Trojans with a mark of 161-82-1 and five consecutive Sun Belt titles. The Trojans return sophomore quarterback Corey Robinson, who passed for 3,726 yards and 28 touchdowns while earning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors a year ago. Robinson will be looking for some new targets, though, with his top three receivers gone. Chip Reeves is the top returning receiver after catching 30 passes for 515 yards and five touchdowns. Defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi leads the defense after compiling 13.5 sacks last year.
ABOUT CLEMSON (2010: 6-7, 4-4 ACC): Dabo Swinney opens his third full season as the Tigers' head coach with a 19-15 overall record. Sophomore Tajh Boyd takes over at quarterback this season and will make his first start after appearing in seven games last season. Boyd threw two touchdown passes in the final five minutes of the Tigers' 31-26 loss to South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The Tigers return junior running back Andre Ellington, who ran for 686 yards despite limited playing time over the last five games of 2010. Ellington is the school's all-time leader with 6.33 yards per rush. Clemson's defense will miss Da'Quan Bowers, who led the nation with 15.5 sacks last season.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Tigers are 5-0 all-time against Sun Belt Conference teams and have outscored those teams 212-70.
2. Troy has averaged at least 33 points per game in each of the past four seasons.
3. Blakeney's 161 wins rank ninth among active Football Bowl Subdivision coaches. His 21-year tenure at Troy is the third-longest among active coaches behind Penn State's Joe Paterno (46th year) and Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (25th year).
PREDICTION: Clemson 27, Troy 24 — The Trojans' offense will keep them in it, but the Tigers are too tough at home.