2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl, Auburn vs. Clemson, Prediction

The Auburn Tigers vs. the Clemson Tigers in the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl. Both of these coaches would like to give a warm holiday greeting to Houston Nutt. Both of them flirted with the Arkansas job, and got fat raises. Tuberville was even reported in the Arkansas news saying he had already taken the job.

James Davis, C.J. Spiller and quarterback Cullen Harper are the dynamic trio for the Clemson Tigers offense. The defense is rated as one of the best in the nation. Bowden’s Tigers beat South Carolina and Florida State this year. This would be a huge win for the program and for the ACC. This could be the first time they have won 10 games since 1990.

Auburn has a ton of talent on offense but they never gelled throughout the season. The young offensive line grew up during the season. The running backs never ran full speed after the very slow start. Lester came on strong, but he was never the feature running back that Auburn really wants. Brandon Cox was not the 5^th year senior that they expected. Those reasons are why Borges is gone. The defense was hurt but they played respectable all year and they look very good. That is why Muschamp seen as one of the best young defensive coaches in the nation. They beat Florida for the second straight year and their biggest rivalry, Alabama, for the sixth straight year.

I think the game hinges on what the new offensive coordinator, Tony Franklin, for Auburn does. Will he use a lot of the spread? Will he use Kody Burns? Al Borges did an outstanding job in his tenure, but it was time for a change. There is a fifty percent chance that Auburns new offense will keep Clemson on their heals all game. There is also a fifty percent chance that the offense will look lost, as they did a good part of the season.

I am going with the first 50%. The reason is that the spread offense is easier to pick up for Kody Burns. Cox can pretty much call his own plays at this point. I do not think that the new offensive coordinator is going to mess with him. This is Cox’s last game in orange and blue. Do I think they will be a well oil machine? No. I think that they will be better than the stagnant offense we have seen all season. I think it is a testament to the talent of the offense that they have won eight games with key injuries and their repetitive game play. I give Auburn a 57% chance to win because Auburn has the element of surprise. (It is silly math but I guess I give the element of surprise 7%)

The announcers for the game will be Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, and Paul Maguire.