CLEMSON, S.C. -- Before the ball is even kicked at Death Valley on Saturday, Clemson could be crowned Atlantic Division champion. That's not exactly a news flash. The big question is how the Tigers would react if North Carolina won at Boston College in a game that kicks off 3½ hours before Virginia-Clemson. Here's what I'll be watching Saturday at Death Valley]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:47:00 GMT With recruiting season hitting the final stretches and many prospects taking their official visits in the coming weeks, ChippewaCountry takes a look at a few questions about the Central Michigan football program. Look inside for the full Q and A segment]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:00 GMT Woody McCorvey, now in his second stint at Clemson, talks this week about how he feels the Tigers have been able to turn their season around, and what he dubs as the turning point. McCorvey also talks about...]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT No. 18 Clemson (7-3, 5-2) can finally capture that elusive Atlantic Division crown tomorrow if it takes care of business and handles a fragile Virginia team (3-7, 2-4) that enters as a 21-point underdog. The Tigers have been on a roll, averaging 42 points and over 420 yards a game in a five-game win streak, but will face the best defense they've gone up against during the five-game run when the two teams kick off tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. EST]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:59:00 GMT This 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward from the Tar Heel State has taken numerous trips to Clemson's campus, with the latest visit coming earlier this month when the Tigers rolled Florida State, 40-24, in Death Valley. For much of his recruiting, it's been Clemson out in front, and apparently..]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- Jerry Ratcliffe is an institution when it comes to coverage of sports at the University of Virginia. Ratcliffe, who writes for the Daily Progress of Charlottesville, took time to offer insight on the Cavaliers heading into Saturday's game at Death Valley. In this feature, he tackles five burning issues surrounding the UVA team and program entering tomorrow afternoon's clash]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:50:00 GMT In this week's edition of the Tiger Illustrated podcast, senior writer Larry Williams and publisher Cris Ard take a look back at Clemson's 43-23 win over N.C. State, Saturday's home finale versus Virginia which should give the Tigers the Atlantic Division title, the rest of the ACC matchups and much more]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT Saturday is the last chance for Clemson's coaches to welcome in prospects for a game day this fall. And there's several highly touted recruiting targets who have already confirmed their intentions to be in town to Clemson's staff this week. Tiger Illustrated unveils the visit list. Also in this feature, other important recruiting notes of interest, including the Tigers' pursuit of a franchise o-tackle prospec]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:11:00 GMT Hakeem Flowers made the half-hour voyage to Clemson for the Tigers' last two big wins in Death Valley. What did he dig about those experiences? The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder already claims 24 offers. Is he nearing an offer from Clemson? What's Clemson's coaches telling him with regard to...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- The fact that No. 18-ranked Clemson (7-3, 5-2), a 21-point favorite over Virginia (3-7, 2-4) heading into its home finale, is expected to not only win but do so convincingly, seems to carry little weight with C.J. Spiller's approach to this weekend. In fact the veteran back also isn't thinking too much about the Heisman or his final run down the hill, because just one thing in particular has occupied the forefront of his thought process in recent days]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:28:00 GMT Following Jason Morris' verbal commitment to Georgia Tech, Clemson's pursuit of an athletic wing now shifts towards the class of 2011. High riser Deuce Bello visited for the Clemson - Florida State football game. The High Point (NC) Westchester Country Day standout talks about that visit, his discussion with Oliver Purnell, his impressions of Clemson, plus he unveils his updated shortlis]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:56:00 GMT Dabo Swinney doesn't necessarily want his players to know the result of the Boston College-North Carolina game before they take the field, but he knows it's an exercise in futility. Even if Clemson didn't put the result on the scoreboard or announce the final score on the stadium loudspeaker, the Tigers will find out what happened one way or another before kickoff]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:29:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson running back C.J. Spiller is listed among the top five candidates for the Heisman Trophy in seven published polls this week. He is ranked as high as first in the Nissan Fan poll, a national vote of fans from across the country. He has 80,000 votes, 10,000 more than any other candidate (as of Thursday morning)]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:59:00 GMT One of the nation's top junior quarterbacks, Christian LeMay, of Matthews (NC) Butler, was one of many highly touted prospects Clemson's coaches entertained for the Tigers' November 7 showdown versus Florida State. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder talks at length with Tiger Illustrated about that visit, his discussion with Billy Napier, his impressions of Clemson's program, other suitors, the schools that have shown significant interest early, and much more.]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:33:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- Danny Pearman's resume would suggest he's eminently qualified to assess the championship DNA of a team that's on the cusp of special things. As No. 18-ranked Clemson (7-3, 5-2) closes in on an Atlantic Division title -- and, perhaps, its first ACC title since 1991 -- it makes sense to ask Pearman if this bunch reminds him of some other high-level teams he's been around]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:16:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney reminded reporters Wednesday night that he's not afraid to fail and realizes that any time a team steps onto the playing field, there is the potential of getting beat. The coach has been emphatic that the Cavaliers are more than capable of...]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:17:00 GMT Brandon Ellerbe verbally pledged to Clemson in September before ever experiencing a game day in Death Valley. That came to fruition two Saturday nights ago when his team of choice beat up Florida State, 40-24. What stood out for the Wadesboro (NC) Anson County product? Also, the rest of the ACC is now looking at him. How does his commitment currently stand? And what's he saying on two of his (Clemson) offered teammates, (DT) Tra Thomas and (LB) Stephone Anthony?]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:09:00 GMT One of the Clemson coaching staff's top recruiting targets in the state of Georgia visited Tiger Town two weekends ago and took in the Tigers' 40-24 win over Florida State. What's the athlete's latest top five in order? What did he especially like about his visit? And when will the talented playmaker, who already holds 22 offers, be making his college choice]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:34:00 GMT You haven't heard of Eric Humphrey, but you will. Don't feel bad if you don't recognize the name though. Up until very recently college coaches had no idea who he was either. Then Humphrey's senior film was released and a flood of college interest and offers began to follo]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:56:00 GMT CLEMSON, S.C. -- Through Clemson's 2-3 start, quarterback Kyle Parker completed 48.7 percent of his passes for 179 yards per game with five touchdowns and five interceptions. Over the last five games, he's compiled a 61.1 completion percentage, averaging 190 yards per game while throwing for 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Offensive coordinator Billy Napier called Saturday's win over NC State Parker's best game yet, largely because of Parker's ability to calmly sit in the pocket and find his targets]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:32:00 GMT