Looking ahead to Auburn

Clemson's showdown with Auburn on Saturday in Atlanta has plenty of intriguing angles. Here's a few:

How can the Tigers win?

Here's what Auburn does that could cause fits for Clemson.

Some depth chart changes for the Tigers.

Notes and numbers of the Auburn/Clemson series.

Death Valley: Best stadium in the ACC

You knew that already, but USA TODAY agrees.

Who's ready for some football?

The two-a-days are over and nobody got hurt or left the team or anything else newsworthy. It's finally game week. Clemson faces Auburn on Saturday in Atlanta, so let's get to the season previews:

OVERVIEW: Can Clemson take "the next step" this year? 

DABO SWINNEY: 2012 will be an important year for the Tigers' head coach.

TAJH BOYD: Clemson's quarterback is slimmer and ready for a big season.

DEPTH CHART: A position-by-position look at the Tigers.

AD Terry Don Phillips to retire

Sad news: Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips, who has presided over a decade of dynamic change and success, made it official on Thursday: He'll be retiring in June 2013.

Good luck, Terry Don, and thanks for all the tremendous work you did for Clemson.

Is Sammy Watkins already out of Heisman race?

Clemson's top receiver Sammy Watkins is a preseason All-American and All-ACC selection, but he could be out of contention for the Heisman Trophy already, thanks to the two-game suspension he'll have to serve to open the season.

That's the opinion of Tyler Waddell at Fan IQ, and I kind of agree with him, but so what? First of all, the Heisman means a lot less than it used to. Secondly, it's not like Watkins couldn't end up winning it before he turns pro -- if he sticks around.

Sammy Watkins: 'I'm going to grow from it'

Clemson star receiver Sammy Watkins, who will be suspended for the first two games of the season as punishment for a May arrest for marijuana possession, speaks to the media after his punishment was handed down.

Practice opens; Watkins suspended for first two games

Clemson began preseason practices for the 2012 football season today as it was announced that star receiver Sammy Watkins will sit out the first two games -- including a big showdown in Atlanta against Auburn -- as punishment for his arrest for marijuana possession in May.

Clemson is No. 14 in USA TODAY poll

The Tigers come out of the gate with a decent ranking in the first poll of the season. Other ACC teams ranked: Florida State (No. 7) and Virginia Tech (No. 20).

The full poll is here.