Clemson QB Tajh Boyd vs. Auburn MLB Jake Holland
Boyd torched Auburn’s defense for 386 yards and four touchdowns in last year’s 38–24 Clemson victory. Even without stud receiver Sammy Watkins (suspension) and running back Mike Bellamy (academic transfer), Boyd has plenty of offensive weapons returning from an offense that finished 26th nationally in 2011. It’s Holland’s job to keep Boyd in check. New defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder calls Holland the “lion” of the defense and has placed high expectations on the junior in 2012. With this new scheme, Holland, the quarterback of the defense, is responsible for making sure his teammates are aligned properly. Poor placement or a missed call will lead to Boyd having his way with the Auburn defense once again.
Auburn TE Philip Lutzenkirchen vs. Clemson linebackers
Lutzenkirchen was forced to split duties as a pass-catching tight end and lead-blocking fullback in 2011 and still managed to set Auburn’s single-season touchdown mark for tight ends (seven). With transfer fullback Jay Prosch taking over the main blocking duties, Lutzenkirchen is free to return to his playmaking role as a receiver. Whether split out or close on the line, the senior tight end will be matched against one of Clemson’s speedy linebackers. All three are huge, especially sophomore Stephone Anthony who mans the middle at 6-foot 3-inches and 235 pounds, but they can all cover sideline-to-sideline. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who spent the past 12 years at Oklahoma before coming to Clemson this offseason, will allow them more freedom in his simple defensive scheme.
Auburn C Tunde Fariyike vs. Clemson DTs Grady Jarrett, DeShawn Williams and Josh Watson
Center-to-quarterback exchanges fail even when the two players have worked together for years, much less a few days. After returning starter Reese Dismukes was arrested and suspended indefinitely, Fariyike, who played center in one game last season, was thrust into the starting role less than one week before the season opener. Across the ball he will see three sophomore lineman, Jarrett, Williams and Watson, who will rotate testing the sophomore’s mettle in his first collegiate start. The linemen, who refer to themselves as the “Three Horsemen,” are replacing two starters who are currently on NFL rosters. Big shoes are trying to be filled on each side of the ball, and which line can control the line of scrimmage will tilt the game in its team’s favor.
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