The Clemson Tigers will open the 2010 season on Saturday, but they will do so without a key member of their defense.

The good news for the Tigers is linebacker Brandon Maye, who will undergo surgery Wednesday on his knee, likely won’t miss much time. He will not play in Saturday’s season opener against North Texas, however.

Maye could be back in time for Clemson’s second game of the season, Sept. 11 against Presbyterian.

In 2009, Maye set a Clemson single-season record by forcing five fumbles. Maye finished the year with 103 tackles, helping the Tigers reach the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Maye experienced swelling in his knee after Monday’s practice.

—30—

Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker has all his options in front of him, now that he has signed on the dotted line with the Colorado Rockies.

The sophomore quarterback will direct the Tigers’ offense in 2010. In the spring, he’ll begin chasing his major-league dream, having signed with the Rockies late Monday night to land a $1.4 million signing bonus.

In July, the Rockies offered $2.25 million with a catch: no more football. Parker balked at the idea, and returned to Clemson while negotiations continued.

Parker would have to give up a part of the $1.4 million bonus should he return to Clemson to play football in 2011.

Last season, he directed the Tigers to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, passing for 2,526 yards and 20 touchdowns. His return greatly helps an offense that already had lost its leading rusher (C.J. Spiller) and leading receiver (Jacoby Ford).

Clemson kicks off the season Sept. 4 at home against North Texas.

—30—

One season after playing for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, the Clemson Tigers are picked to fall just short of reaching the title game this season.

In voting by the members of the media selecting the ACC’s predicted order of finish, the defending Atlantic Division champion Tigers were tabbed to finish second. Florida State earned the top spot in the Atlantic, earning 78 first-place votes. Clemson finished second with 16 first-place votes.

Boston College, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Maryland were predicted to finish third through six.

In the Coastal Division, Virginia Tech earned the media’s top spot with 62 first-place votes. Miami finished second in the predictions, followed by ACC champion Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke and Virginia.

All 16 voters who had Clemson winning the Atlantic had the Tigers losing in the ACC title game.

Clemson kicks off the new season Sept. 4 at home against North Texas, and plays host to Miami in the conference opener Oct. 2. The Tigers went 9-5 last season.

—30—

Outscored by 20 in fast-break points. Outscored by 15 points off turnovers. Outscored by 14 points in the paint.

No wonder the Clemson Tigers’ stay in the NCAA Tournament lasted just one game. Missouri stuffed the Tigers at every turn, bouncing Clemson from the first round of the NCAAs 86-78 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Clemson (21-11) was outscored 22-2 on fast breaks, 20-5 off turnovers and 42-28 in the paint. Missouri made Clemson’s life miserable, forcing 20 turnovers (including 15 steals).

Down 54-50 with 13:10 left, Missouri used a 15-5 run that broke the game open.

Demontez Stitt scored 21 points to lead the Tigers, while Andre Young added 19 and Jerai Grant scored 12.

—30—

Being off on the first day of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament has plenty of advantages.

Were the season to end today, the Clemson Tigers would be in fifth place. That would mean the Tigers would hit the floor at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 11 for the opening day of the tournament, instead of getting a bye into the quarterfinals.

Clemson still has time to make it into the top four, however. But it’s a tough four-game stretch the Tigers face to conclude the regular season.

Clemson plays three of its final four away from home, starting with a Wednesday contest at Maryland. The Tigers then travel to Florida State on Sunday to meet the Seminoles, with whom Clemson is tied with in the ACC standings.

After a home game March 2 against Georgia Tech, the Tigers wrap up the regular season March 7 at Wake Forest. Wake currently is in fourth, ½ game ahead of the Tigers.

—30—

It wasn’t the stage he wanted to grace for the final act of his college career, but C.J. Spiller made do in Nashville on Sunday night.

The Clemson senior standout scored a touchdown and finished with 172 all-purpose yards to lead the Tigers past Kentucky 21-13 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. It marked the first bowl victory for Clemson since the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl, and provided a fitting end for Spiller’s brilliant collegiate career.

Spiller, who scored four touchdowns in Clemson’s narrow loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC championship game, scored the 51st touchdown of his career with 10:14 to go, giving the Tigers a 21-13 advantage. He rushed for 68 yards and added 57 yards receiving, earning MVP honors for the game (to go along with earning the MVP nod for the ACC title contest).

Spiller’s touchdown came after Kavell Conner forced a fumble, which Jarvis Jenkins recovered at the Kentucky 19 to set up the score. Spiller became the first ACC player to rush for 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving.

Clemson sealed the victory by running out the final 5:27 of the game. The Tigers outgained the Wildcats 321-277.

—30—