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Willy Mac on Archive for November 2008
Posted by Willy Mac
This week I searched high and low for a good way to approach this week’s “Know Your…” segment. I think I’ve managed to make chicken salad out of what I had and this week I asked Jim Young, editor of the website ACCSports.com and he came up with some outstanding, short notice answers for us. The website is the companion for the ACC Sports Journal. Jim is a sandlapper with ties to the game and family members on both sides of the rivalry. Here’s what he had to say:
Given the fact that South Carolina’s only marquee victories are road wins at Ole Miss and Kentucky, would a loss to Clemson on Saturday turn the Gamecocks season into a disappointment or do you think their fans would be happy with what their team has done this season?
It’s hard to say with South Carolina fans because they’re a different sort of animal. Most fan bases don’t pack a stadium during an 0-11 season like Gamecock fans have in the past. That said, I think a loss to Clemson would be incredibly disappointing for South Carolina. If you can’t beat a team during a season when its coach “resigns” and its locker room nearly implodes, when are you going to beat it? Win and the Gamecocks have a shot at a better bowl and a nine-win season. Lose, and that second-class status in the state gets reinforced.
What do you think a blowout loss for Clemson would mean to our program?
Well it would mean the end of Dabo Mania (I’ve trademarked that, by the way). While a lot of folks say the results of rivalry games don’t affect recruiting, I think a big Clemson loss might affect a few more prospects that are sitting on the fence right now. But I don’t see a rout having long-term effects for the Tigers. This season has already stunk. Losing big to the Gamecocks would just make things stink a little worse.
Clemson and South Carolina have very similar points in terms of offense and defense. Which offense do you see having an easier time against the opposing team’s defense? How so?
You know, I originally thought the Clemson offensive line was in deep trouble against a very stout South Carolina defense. I’m not really changing that view, but given that it’s likely to rain tomorrow, I think the ground game becomes much more important. The Tigers have a definite edge there when you compare James Davis and C.J. Spiller to the anonymous collection that carries the ball for the Gamecocks. So that’s a roundabout way of saying I think Clemson at least has a shot of moving the ball against South Carolina. If rains takes away passing, I don’t know how the Gamecocks get the ball down the field.
If Clemson wins, with this ACC record what kind of bowl game do you think we could swing?
Are you trying to give me a migraine? Okay, let’s take a deep breath and figure this out. So much – surprise! – still depends on what everyone else in the ACC does. Here’s the thing, the bowls are allowed to pick a team lower in the ACC standings than the top team available, provided the lower team is within one game in the standings of the team above it. Since the Tigers are only one game out of first in the crazy ACC that pretty much puts everything short of the Orange Bowl in play.
I’m assuming though, that the Peach Bowl won’t bring back Clemson for a second straight year, particularly if it can select hometown Georgia Tech. I’m thinking the Gator would probably go for Florida State, if it’s available, over the Tigers, but Clemson vs. Virginia Tech could be a toss-up. The Meineke wants to grab North Carolina, but if the Tar Heels aren’t available, then it would be compelled to take Clemson. According to selection procedures, the Tigers would have to be chosen over a 6-6 N.C. State team if that scenario’s out there.
Okay, I’m rambling now. Let’s just go with: I don’t really know, but it’s probably better than you’d think given a) how well Clemson travels b) how jammed the ACC standings are and c) the good vibes that would go along with a three-game winning streak to close the regular season.
What do you think the keys to winning the game for Clemson are? How about South Carolina?
I think it’s the same for both teams. Their quarterbacks MUST avoid critical mistakes. I think this will be a low-scoring game, particularly if the weather turns bad. I’m not sold on either kicker, although I’d give an edge to the Tigers because of Succop’s hernia issues. I like the Gamecocks’ defense more, but like South Carolina’s offensive skill players less. I’m not sure either team is good enough to come out and just win this game, but all the quarterbacks involved are erratic enough to lose it.
Final prediction?
I’ve gone back and forth on this one, but after answering the previous questions, I’ve settled on the Tigers. Harper and Smelley/Garcia cancel each other out. The difference then becomes James Davis, C.J. Spiller and home field advantage. Clemson 17, South Carolina 13.
Posted by Block-C Staff
Clemson (6-5, 4-4) hosting Sakerlina (7-4, 4-4), Noon EST, ESPN2, XM 191, Sirius 211, WCCPFM Live Feed.
Folks, iz gon’ rain!
Line: Pick ‘em
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Edge goes to:
Clemson offense vs. Sakerlina defense: Sakerlina by a large margin. There’s not even an argument that could be made here.
Clemson defense vs. Sakerlina offense: Clemson by a little – Cook and Brinkley, yadda yadda, Clemson’s defense is good and USC’s offense has been stagnant.
Special teams: Clemson based on kicking, coverage, and Spiller.
Intangibles: Push. The Gamecocks want repay Clemson for denying them bowl eligibility last year. Clemson wants to win for Dabo and go to a bowl.
Our Panel Of Men Who Don’t Wear Merchandise With “COCKS” Written On It Says:
Chili: I really haven’t felt good about this game for most of the season. After Bowden was fired and I started to see some nice things from Coach Dabo Swinney I was a little more optimistic. Then we played at Virginia. The same habit of throwing the ball three yards behind the first down marker on first down, lethargic clock management, and instability at quarterback reared their ugly heads, like a snarling and slightly retarded Cerberus chained to a symbolic gate that reads BOWL ELIGIBILITY preventing the team from getting by them and into that portal. That sort of uninspired offensive management will spell disaster versus this sick Sakerlina defense. I would expect our defense to keep the game respectable against the Gamecocks mediocre offense, but we’ve often been sliced up by passing defenses this season. I don’t think we have an answer for their little slant passes. This will not be a Sakerlina game to remember.
Sakerlina 21, Clemson 10
Willy Mac: From what I can put together here, this game will be a pretty low scoring and physical affair. Both teams bring in two great defenses, some pretty good special teams units, and two terrible ass offenses. I kinda get the feeling that this is going to also be a slow and drawn out game where the team that scores last wins the game. I’ve been waiting as well as dreading this game all year. I once read a post (on Tigernet of all places) before the 2003 FSU game where we had just lost to Wake Forest and the guy talked about the game against the Seminoles being the perfect time to “circle the wagons.” I feel that on a program level and in a sense of getting back on track overall, this would be the game that our team needs to circle the wagons. We’re going to have to come out with our asses on fire to win this.
Clemson 10, Carolina 9
Posted by Willy Mac
It’s more than probable that as a Clemson fan you are sick and tired of hearing and putting up with all this South Carolina chest pumping and shit talk. It’s the same story every year, just this year it’s a new excuse and a different tune. Let’s get the most important fact out on the table and clear the air right off of the bat: This game, like many other rivalry games, is rightfully and justifiably a toss up game. It could really could go either way.
We always go into this week hearing about how badly Clemson is going to be beat. We heard about it last year, and the year before, and the year before… add nauseam. Granted that they won in 2006, but it’s funny how a lot of Sakerlina fans remember that game as an ass whoopin’ when in reality they beat us because we had a stick in the mud coach who made some terrible decision’s at the end of the game and we missed a last second field goal that would have tied us. In years past, Block-C has had to put out a few reminders about score that matters at the end of the day. Of course, there’s always “This is Carolina Football.”
And it’s not like Carolina has a bad team… well… It’d be more pleasant to eat a plate of hog shit than to have to watch their offense. Then again, you could say that about our offense as well. Their defense is astounding and you have to give that to them. The thing that’s so upsetting is that the biggest argument that I’ve heard always goes back to the SEC and how “Claymsun woodent last one dayum minnut in thuh ess eey see.” NEWSFLASH HONCHO: THE ACC IS A DIFFICULT CONFERENCE TO PLAY IN FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
Let’s just go renegade here for a minute. Follow me if you want, if not it’s ok too. Our conference isn’t a cake walk. You’ve got a good and powerful conference but the fellating via the Big Red Network and the echoing media that bases things off what they hear and see on the idiot box is getting ridiculous. The reason that this runs rampant is that there is no one to check them. Look, it wouldn’t be surprising South Carolina beat Clemson at home this year. It would be less surprising to see Clemson beat the Gamecocks simply because that’s just how it goes around here.
Posted by Block-C Staff
Take it easy, enjoy it, and be safe!
Posted by Willy Mac
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Oh geez, Willy Mac has been listening to the local sports talk radio shows again.” Ok, so I have. So what. I also regret to inform you that I’ve lapsed back into a deepened state of paranoia concerning our ongoing coaching search. My mind can be compared to a dryer with bricks inside of it. Just a noisy, beat up mess that isn’t getting anything accomplished. Ok, bad example. Terrible example, but you can at least see how this whole ordeal makes my head hurt when I think about it. Things are bad enough that we have to deal with a Clemson message board that has retarded itself into an internet cesspool because of it’s members. But now, now we have to listen to local idiots, both South Carolina and Clemson fans, call up some little sound padded trailer outside of Liberty and hee haw their way through a conversation with all-too-patient hosts on this situation. Just my opinion, but I wish that when the radio guys take a call from someone with their radio turned up or that speaks with a over bearing redneck tongue that they would just drop the call.
Honestly though, besides Brent Venables (Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator) and Bud Foster (Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator), I don’t really see anyone fit for the head coaching job. Especially now that Will Muschamp has been locked up. Even if Muschamp were available, he even said that he was not even close to being ready to take a head coaching position anywhere. Is Terry Don Phillips just shuffling his proverbial deck of Dabo Swinney playing cards??? I know, I know, “One more Dabo Poker reference = gun + mouth.” Does Dabo already have the job locked up? Is he TDP’s guy? Now I know that some of you out there have already made up your minds and put on your horse blinders, but chew this cud just a bit for me.
You want me to blow your mind right now? As far fetched as this may seem… and I mean that this is seven levels of creepiness on top of being far fetched… and I reiterate the fact that this is absurd… but what if TDP isn’t searching for a head coach? Now hold on. Don’t lose me just yet. Look at it this way, Dabo is a young coach who is extremely unproven and inexperienced. The guy was selling insurance just a few years ago and it seems he’s been a lifer in terms of being a wide receivers coach when he has worked in college football. He’s a good coach, but not many people know that nor will they. All they see is the “Interim” stigma attached to him. Or as EKR likes to call it, the “Internet” stigma. It’s going to be extremely difficult for him to go out there and recruit new players, run a program, and replace most of his staff at the drop of a hat. Rumors are already swirling abound about the possibility that Dabo could be named the head coach before the game as well. Again, these are just rumors and speculation.
Now obviously, there are some coaches that will stay but we know that Koenning is gone at the end of the year regardless if Dabo stays or leaves. Calling back to what we’ve gone over earlier, the two high profile candidates we’ve interviewed that are actually considerable for the job just happen to both be defensive coordinators who both have their own stigmas that might keep them out of a head coaching position for now. Venables apparently “didn’t build that defense, Stoops did.” Foster gets weeded out of the short list on every major head coaching job he’s interviewed for so there “must be something wrong with the guy.” So what’s to say that TDP isn’t out there, beating on doors looking for someone to fill an “Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator” position with the big bank account that he just dusted off? All I’m saying is this: Money talks. And apparently TDP isn’t too afraid to spend it… economic hardships be damned.
Now I know this is extremely far fetched and mostly implausible but admit it: This isn’t as far fetched as a lot of things that you’ve seen on the internet or heard on the radio since this coaching search monster was born. In addition to that, you have to take into consideration that anything is possible in today’s day and age. This holds true especially in matters underneath the college football umbrella. We live in a world where the dollar is king with loyalty being a thing of the past and this is only magnified by the economic troubles our world is in.
You hear what they’re putting in the West Zone??
I sound like a kook, but whatever. Take what I’m saying with a grain of salt. Tell me what you think in the comments section…
Posted by Chili
Cal in, Pitt out. That’s it.
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||
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama |  1 |
| 2 | Florida | 1 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 2 |
| 4 | Texas | — |
| 5 | Southern Cal | 1 |
| 6 | Penn State | 1 |
| 7 | Utah | 1 |
| 8 | Texas Tech |  7 |
| 9 | Boise State | — |
| 10 | Oklahoma State | — |
| 11 | Missouri | — |
| 12 | Ball State | 1 |
| 13 | Ohio State | 1 |
| 14 | TCU | — |
| 15 | Georgia | 1 |
| 16 | Cincinnati | 3 |
| 17 | Brigham Young | 2 |
| 18 | Georgia Tech | 8 |
| 19 | Oregon State | 3 |
| 20 | Boston College | 5 |
| 21 | Florida State | 5 |
| 22 | Oregon | 2 |
| 23 | Northwestern | 3 |
| 24 | California | 2 |
| 25 | West Virginia | 1 |
