A little logic behind my upcoming glass-half-full prediculation:
Consider the last 3 games vs Clemson (‘03, ‘07, ‘12).
2003 - 2nd game of the year. Paladins 1.5 years removed from a Natl Championship appearance. CU coming off a loss to UGA. FU had a strong Defense that year. We only allowed 20 or more points to 3 teams all year- Clemson being one. Though we were 6-5, we lost the 4 FCS games by a total of 10 points. Clemson was a respectable 9-4 that year. Final: Clemson 28, Furman 17
2007- 3rd game of the year. CU 2-0. FU was mediocre. Had some good wins but inconsistent on Offense and Defense was below average for us. Went 6-5. Clemson was again 9-4, the final loss coming in OT to Auburn new the Chic-fil-a bowl. Although we lost by 4 scores, they scored more points on 4 FBS opponents, including 70 on Central Michigan.
Final: Clemson 38, Furman 10
2012- 3rd game of year. Bruce Fowler era. Furman lacked an identity on O and struggled to score all year. Defense was on the field a lot and wasn’t aggressive at all. We went 3-8. Clemson had Sammy Watkins and Taj Boyd and went 11-2 that year including a win over no.6 LSU in the ChicfilA peach Bowl. Though we got schelacked, they didn’t hit 50.
Final: Clemson 41, Furman7
2018- FIRST game of year. Clemson is at LEAST as good as 2012, probably better. Top talent at all positions. Same coach. FU I feel is more similar to the 2003 squad, with defense being a major strength and a confidence we’ve not had in years. New coach. (Who I believe was o-line coach in 03). New (and brilliant) coordinators. Aggressive D.
I see no reason to think we can’t hold them under 50. I also doubt Dabo runs up the score. I also believe our Quarles-led O behind Hendricks-inspired O-line play can manage at least the point total of a mediocre 07 squad (even though we’re playing the best D-line in college football history
) Throw in a rain shower (40% chance) to cool the air and wet the ball, and we can make it respectable.
Final: Clemson 41, Furman 16 (prediction)
...but I could believe 35-20