SIX POINTS

1. Handle the hype

No doubt the issues at offensive line and linebacker are crucial, but perhaps the paramount question is whether this team will be able to shoulder the immense weight of grand expectations. All the talk about the Top 10 and the ACC title can be dangerous for a program that’s noted primarily for being a roller coaster in nine seasons under Tommy Bowden. Will the Tigers be mentally tough enough to avoid the costly hiccup that has plagued them in the past?

2. Persevere on the offensive line

Replacing four starters isn’t going to be easy, but there’s talent and cohesiveness present now that wasn’t before. This is a young group, though, and the big question is how it’ll handle the big-game stage of the opener against Alabama in Atlanta. If the line can just get through this game, the schedule sets up well for it to develop and gain confi­dence over the first half of the season. The Tigers can’t afford any inju­ries up front, particularly at tackle.

3. Be disciplined at linebacker

Some folks are saying this group of backers can be better than last year’s, and that’s not a preposterous notion. There’s talent on hand despite the loss of the top four guys from 2007 (Nick Watkins, Tramaine Billie, Cortney Vincent and Antonio Clay). But the most experienced players are junior Kavell Conner and sophomore Scotty Cooper, who have four career starts combined. Opposing offensive coordinators will try to catch the linebackers out of position on play-action, screens and misdirection, so being smart and focused is imperative.

4. Make special teams a specialty

Various blunders in this area have cost the Tigers more games in re­cent years than they wish to count, but there’s potential for significant improvement. Mark Buchholz has the mindset and the mechanics to be an excellent kicker; the Tigers have enough athletes to be formidable covering kickoffs and punts; and the current punting duel between Jimmy Maners and Dawson Zimmerman could prove beneficial once the season begins. Bowden gave Andre Powell an enhanced role with special teams, and the Tigers apparently have devoted more time to it than ever under Bowden. There’s no excuse for them not to be better.

5. Manage the egos

No other ACC team has near the number of dynamic skill players Clemson possesses. But there’s only one ball to go around, and several players (Cullen Harper, James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Aaron Kelly) are also trying to impress the NFL folks. Could make for a combustible situation if things turn sour and someone isn’t getting the ball as much as he expects. It’s a delicate issue that Bowden and his offensive staff need to be wary of at all times.

6. Get better in short yardage

Had Aaron Kelly caught that deep ball against Boston College last year, the Tigers’ long ACC title drought (16 seasons and counting) might be history. But the Tigers probably lost that game much earlier because they couldn’t convert several short-yardage situa­tions that might’ve helped put the Eagles away. The addition of 230-pound tailback Jamie Harper will undoubtedly help, but the Tigers might need every bit of his power if their young guards strug­gle to move people off the line.

– Larry Williams