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FACTS & STATS: Site: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,500) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: MT 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Away Record: MT 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Conference Record: MT 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Series Record: Clemson leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Clemson Tigers and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are set to kick off the 2009 season in a non-conference bout at Clemson Memorial Stadium this weekend.

Middle Tennessee is coming off a second straight 5-7 season under fourth-year coach Rick Stockstill. With lots of experienced players returning, the hope in Murfreesboro is that this year's squad more closely resembles the team that won three of its final four games in '08, and not the team that lost six of its first eight. The answer will hinge largely on how well the team grasps a new offensive system.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are eager to erase the memory of an abysmal 2008 season in which they underachieved to finish 7-6. Along the way, head coach Tommy Bowden stepped down and was replaced by assistant Dabo Swinney. Last December the interim tag was removed from Swinney, who hopes to build on some late- season success that saw Clemson win four of its final six regular-season games and beat rival South Carolina.

Clemson won the only prior meeting between these two schools, a 37-14 victory over the Blue Raiders back in 2003.

New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin brings his spread attack from Auburn to Middle Tennessee. Ten starters return on offense, but they'll have to scrap a lot of what they learned last season and begin anew in Franklin's offense. Dwight Dasher replaces Joe Craddock at quarterback, although the speedy junior has some experience, as evidenced by his 530 rushing yards as a true freshman. Now, he must further develop his passing skills to complement his natural athletic ability. Top wideouts Eldred King (51 rec, 598 yds, four TDs), Patrick Honeycutt (51-513-3) and Malcolm Beyah (16.7 ypc, six TDs) all return, which will help ease Dasher's development. Tailback Phillip Tanner managed 714 rushing yards and 15 TDs despite starting only four games in '08. He'll be a full-time starter this season, and with all five starting linemen returning, big things could be in store.

Defensively, coach Stockstill said linebacker remains his biggest concern. All-Sun Belt pick Danny Carmichael returns following an 89-tackle season (11.5 TFL). Cam Robinson has shown a renewed attention to detail, although Stockstill said there are three or four other players he'd like to see at that position in game situations. He already knows what he has on the defensive line, where the Blue Raiders return plenty of experience. Defensive tackle Dwight Smith (7.5 TFL) and defensive end Chris McCoy (three sacks) are the anchors of that unit. In the defensive backfield, the Blue Raiders boast arguably the Sun Belt's top safety tandem. Jeremy Kellem (72 tackles, two INTs) is an all-conference free safety, while strong safety Kevin Brown (68 tackles) likes to mix it up near the line of scrimmage.

With running back James Davis now making a name for himself with the Cleveland Browns, the door is wide open for C.J. Spiller to have a big year. Spiller averaged 5.4 ypc and scored 11 TDs despite a time-share with Davis last season. A Heisman Trophy candidate, Spiller has been logging 100-yard rushing games since his freshman season in '06, and he needs just 921 all-purpose yards to become the ACC's career leader. Freshman Kyle Parker has climbed to the top of the depth chart at quarterback, where he will replace last year's starter, Cullen Harper. His primary target will be track star Jacoby Ford (55 rec, 710 yds, four TDs), who looks ready to take on more of a featured role in the offense, according to the coaches.

The Tigers defense allowed just under 300 total yards per game last season. They also ranked second in the ACC and 13th nationally in scoring defense, yielding just 17.3 ppg. Kavell Conner (125 tackles) and Brandon Maye (87 tackles) are solid at linebacker, while cornerbacks Chris Chancellor (four INTs) and Crezdon Butler (four INTs) both excel at man-to-man coverage. The only real area of concern on defense is with the pass rush. Last season, Clemson ranked 108th nationally in sacks (1.08 per game). Swinney and the coaching staff have been preaching the importance of takeaways during practice, and that starts with the ability of the defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback.

The Blue Raiders will likely take some time to gel offensively, and that puts them at a significant disadvantage playing on the road against a very good defense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 35, Middle Tennessee 17