ShareThisBy GREG WALLACE
Some less-informed observers say Clemson is like "Auburn with a lake," and this won't help the comparisons.
Two years ago, another orange-hued group of Tigers _ Auburn's _ used the running game to trample their way to a conference championship and undefeated season.
The following spring, two of the biggest reasons why _ tailbacks Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams _ went in the top 5 overall of the NFL draft.
Now, Clemson hopes to duplicate that plan, with a twist.
Saturday against Florida Atlantic, the Tigers unveil their new, improved tailback depth _ featuring sophomore James Davis, senior Reggie Merriweather and touted freshman C.J. Spiller.
They don't have a catchy nickname yet, but the Tigers' offense figures they should raise their national profile awfully quickly.
"You can rotate those guys in and out," said senior center Dustin Fry. "You look back at Auburn when they (went undefeated). They had 'Cadillac' Williams and Ronnie Brown. So it's kind of like that, only we're going to have three of them back there."
A resurgent running game, largely fueled by Davis, the ACC's reigning Rookie of the Year, was a big reason why Clemson improved from 6-5 to 8-4 last season.
The addition of Spiller, considered by some analysts to be the nation's top tailback prospect, is expected to strengthen the ground game. But it also fueled questions about how the tailbacks' overall chemistry would respond.
So far, so good. Davis and Merriweather have treated Spiller like a little brother, answering his questions, going out for dinners together, and generally welcoming him into the offensive flow.
"We've got to get along well," Davis said. "I just got here and C.J. just got here, so we're going to be together for a while, two, three years. It's going to be great for us."
Spiller agrees.
"I think our bond as running backs is close," he said. "We talk about anything besides football, hang out with each other. We're always there when someone's having a bad day to give an encouraging word."
Spiller provides an intriguing contrast to the physical, bruising style of Davis and Merriweather. While both are quick, they aren't as fast as Spiller, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds.
"When C.J. comes out there, it seems like everyone is moving slow, but when he gets the ball, he's fast," Davis said. "He shoots through (the holes) so fast. I saw Jacoby Ford (who runs the 40 in 4.16 seconds) and C.J., and they look the same on the field. I know Jacoby is faster, but C.J.'s pretty fast."
That could cause havoc for opposing defenses, especially if Spiller is used as a change-up back.
"It's great to have that third guy who can come in there and keep everyone fighting and going," Davis said. "When me and Reggie can wear down the defense and C.J. can run past everybody, I think it's going to be great."
Spiller's speed can lend itself to off-tackle runs and long sideline jaunts, too.
"I can run between the tackles," he said, "but I mostly try to use my speed to get to the outside and hit the corners."
Merriweather has been something of a forgotten man in the hype surrounding Davis and Spiller, but he's a durable, talented runner in his own right.
He's Clemson's active leader in rushing yards (1,441) and rushing touchdowns (18), and strung together three consecutive 100-yard rushing games last season while Davis recovered from a broken wrist suffered at N.C. State.
"A lot of people forget about Reggie, but Reggie's been here for a long time and he's been consistent," Davis said. "I don't see why people are counting Reggie out. He's still a dependable back you could put in a game and have a 100-yard game."
Together, they form a scary tailback trio, one that has taken many forms - both two-back shotgun sets and single-back sets featuring each back - during preseason practice.
And there has been no dissension between the three. Together, they realize, they're fully capable of wreaking havoc on the ACC.
"They're good kids, good character kids," running backs coach Burton Burns said. "The team needs them to have a certain role to help this team become a better team and reach its goals as a team.
"Not that they don't think about what they want to be successful individually. But these guys want to win."
