Posted by Willy Mac

This week we actually ran across the mine field laden no man’s land that is the tension of the Clemson/Sakerlina rivalry and traded super secret, feignedly barbed, double secret probation questions with Garnet And Black Attack over at SB Nation. I’ve got hate in my heart, but them folks is cordial-assed people. I’ll bite my tongue. Our answers over there.

1) Can you offensive troubles be solely placed on your offensive line this year? If yes, we need a reason. Surely it still takes a team effort to reflect a bad final score. How do they match up against our defensive line?

No. The offensive line is part of the problem and is perhaps the biggest one, but it’s not the only problem. In fact, I think the offensive line is much better than a year ago, particularly when blocking the run. Pass protection continues to be a problem, but is also in general more competent than last year. The line also commits way too many penalties, which along with the sacks has often stunted drives.

We have other problems, though. The play calling has gotten a lot of press lately, and I’m in the camp that believes it has been suspect. I would like to see us commit more to the run. Spurrier and his staff said this would be a focus this year, and to some degree it has been, as we have a better running game than a year ago. However, we seem to abandon the run completely at times, and I’ve been disappointed that Spurrier hasn’t founded ways to get speedsters Jarvis Giles and Bryce Sherman opportunities to carry the ball. I also don’t like our tendency to go straight for the big play every time we cross midfield. Don’t get me wrong; I think a well-timed 40-yard fade is a great idea. However, at least since Alshon Jeffrey emerged as our top receiver, we seem to go for the big play every single time we get within striking distance. Teams know it’s coming now, so they know to have their safeties on alert and to blitz Garcia hard. In these situations, we seem to completely forget not only about the run but also about our mid-range passing game, particularly our talented TE Wesley Saunders.

Field position has also affected this team’s ability to score. Our defense is good, but, unlike a year ago, it doesn’t force many turnovers. Our return units are also very average, again unlike a year ago. That has contributed to a situation in which an offense that is seemingly better than the one we had a year ago has failed to score as much as last year’s version did.

Not all Gamecocks fans will agree with everything I’ve just said. Some will blame our failures on offensive line play and lack of execution. My two cents, though, are that Spurrier and his staff have improved the offense in some ways but are still failing to maximize its potential, particularly when we get in scoring position, which is when it counts. I should stress, though, that we have often moved the ball much better than the score would suggest, and a few more plays here and there could have made a major difference in our year. That means that success could be right around the corner. I feel like I’ve had to say that too many times over the past few years, though, so I’ll believe it when I see it.

2) What’s the number one thing about your team that we have to worry about come Saturday? Who’s the game changing player?

I’m going to say our push on the defensive line. If we’re getting pressure on Kyle Parker and getting to C. J. Spiller before he gets to the line of scrimmage, it could be a long day for your offense. When we’ve been able to do this, such as against N. C. State, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida, our defense has been really tough. When we haven’t, though, it’s much more pedestrian. The guys to watch here Eric Norwood (of course), Clifton Geathers, and Cliff Matthews.

3) Statistically, you guys have some of the worst kickoff/punt coverage teams in the nation. Do you think Spurrier’s game plan involves kicking directly at Spiller since he’s so stubborn?

I hope not, but maybe. Shane Beamer said that we didn’t have any special plans for dealing with Spiller this weekend, that we were just going to try to do the basics well, play good coverage, fill our lanes, etc. I hope that’s just coach speak. Even teams with good coverage units should plan around players like Spiller, and a team with questionable units should be extra careful. We’ll see what we actually do. I will say that we’ve been playing a little better on coverage over the last few games than we did at the beginning of the year, so there’s that.

4) I want your honest opinion. I’ve noticed that there are a few Gamecocks making a case against CJ Spiller. Why is this happening? Spiller is one of the most dangerous players in all of college football and he’s changed our future through his play this season. What’s the problem? Is it the fact that he’s less likely to be doing rails off of the trophy sometime later in his life that disturbs your fan base? Get it? Get it? A George Rogers joke! Get it?

Personally, I think Spiller has a quality case for the Heisman. As you say, he’s one of the most dangerous players in the game, and he contributes in so many ways. I think it’s a serious blow to the Heisman’s credibility that he’s not getting more of a look. It says a lot about the Heisman, really; basically, what you’re seeing is that a greater burden of proof is being placed on Spiller than on name-brand guys like Tim Tebow, who is clearly having an inferior season, IMO. The Heisman should be about rewarding the best player in the game, not the guy that ESPN plasters all over their website. Sadly, that’s not the case.

As far as why some Gamecocks disrespect Spiller, I guess it’s just the nature of rivalry. Lots of people just hate to see their rivals succeed. You might have also heard that there are lots of Gamecocks fans that don’t think the ACC is up to par with the other major conferences. Some of the Spiller-hatred comes from that angle, from the idea that Spillers’ numbers are inflated because he plays weak competition. Personally, I disagree with this idea. The ACC has lacked an elite team for some time now, but from where I’m sitting, the conference has a fairly deep set of teams that are pretty good even if they’re not national title contenders. I think some Gamecocks fans console themselves with the idea that being in the SEC makes us better than ACC teams. I’d prefer to console myself with actual wins over those teams, particularly Clemson, when and if those wins start coming.

5) Put into words for us what a win against us would do for you guys.

I think this team–and particularly its coach–needs a good showing in this game to earn back the respect of parts of the fanbase. Another debacle like last year’s, and I think you’ll see a lot of fans lose faith in Spurrier.

More to the point, if we win we’ll go crazy and burn down Five Points. Seriously; I will have the worst headache in the history of mankind Sunday morning if we win. Any win against a rival is a cause for celebration and since we haven’t won many games against you guys lately we’ll have all the more reason to throw down.

Posted by Block-C Staff

Ladies and gentlemen, they may not be winners on the field, but dammit they’re winners at Q&A. From Old Virginia brings us quite possibly the best responses to any “Know Your…” segment that we’ve done this year. We took some pretty damn good shots at them and they kept pace with us pretty well. Check out our answers here.

1) Be honest with us, is there a chance that you guys beat us this weekend and ruin everything? If so, what has to happen, realistically, for this to happen?

Slim, and if it happens, it’d look a lot like last week’s game against BC.  Our only hope to win football games these days is to get big plays from the defense and special teams.  As in, those units actually have to do the scoring themselves.  Clemson’s offense is respectable but not overpowering, which is our only saving grace.

2) Would things be all that different if Peter Lalich had managed to stick around? Does it bother you that Peter was clearly “too cool” for your “school?”

It bothers me that some people are too stupid to realize what they have going for them and place a higher priority on a stupid herb or a drink than on the opportunity they have on their plate.  But quarterbacks can’t do anything when their receivers aren’t open and their blockers can’t block.  Peyton Manning couldn’t move this offense.  I’ll concede it’s possible we’d be 4-6 right now instead of 3-7, woo to that?

3) What type of animal is Al Groh’s power animal. Describe it in detail and why it is a source of power and inspiration to Groh.

Al Groh draws inspiration from the badger.  The badger is resolute and unswerving.  He is trustworthy.  Some would say inordinately stubborn.  The badger is described in various works of classical literature as one who “simply hates society” and “doesn’t change.”  But in such works, the badger is never a villain.  He is loyal and values loyalty in others.  The badger is hardworking and protective, and occasionally territorial and will snap at other creatures such as pesky sideline reporters who enter their territory and attempt to eat their young.  Specifically, Groh is of the badger subspecies known as T. jeffersoni.

4) With Al Groh’s almost certain departure, what can we assume about the future of the Charlottesville Frumpy Sweatshirt Emporium?

They’ll be OK.  Al hasn’t actually bought a new sweatshirt in five years.  And they can always lobby for the hiring of Danny Rocco or Jim Grobe.

5) Have you guys ever thought of quitting? No I mean, overall. Like, have you guys ever thought of shutting the team down and just giving your soccer team a really awesome stadium? ECU would be a good addition to the ACC for football, what do you think?

We do like to think our expectations are higher than at, say, UNC, which sometimes seems to think football is a sideshow to women’s soccer.  Besides, we just beat ECU last year.

Posted by Willy Mac

Hey there kiddos, we’ve got opinions for ya. This week we got them from Akula Wolf over at Backing the Pack. One of two NC State sites that keep it real. Akula has some pretty good reads as well as funny material, especially during hoops season so give them a repeat read from time to time. Here’s what I’ve got. Check out our answers over there.

1) You guys have all the makings of a “Trap Game” for Clemson to get snake bitten by. Give us one stat, one player, and one intangible that make this a true statement.

That’s a tough one. It’s hard for me to find much to like about this matchup. State’s solid passing game–281 yards/game–is the stat, and Russell Wilson (surprise!) would have to be the player, because he’s going to have to be outstanding if the offense is going to move the ball against the Tigers defense. Intangibles, intangibles…the Tiger paw on Clemson’s helmets will make them appear cute and cuddly, thus inspiring confidence in the Wolfpack? Yeah, that must be it.

2) People have been saying that Russell Wilson is the truth. Remove your Wolfpack hat for a second, and tell us in your honest opinion how he stacks up against the other quarterbacks in the league.

It’s been a good year for ACC quarterbacks, which is refreshing since it’s made the games actually watchable, but I think Christian Ponder is the only guy I’d trade Wilson for. Ponder, Harris, Wilson, and Skinner are all right there in terms of passer rating, and you could certainly argue that those other guys are having better seasons than Russell. But I think he’s a more complete package than anyone except Ponder. (I’m not sure if the Wolfpack hat came all the way off during that answer.)

3) Your defense was one of the best in the league a few weeks ago. Your rushing defense is still pretty good, but you guys have let yourselves go a little. Where’s the breakdown?

The truth of it is the defense was never any good. South Carolina played extremely conservatively in the opener because they could, and then we followed that up with a pair of hapless I-AA teams. Needless to say, there is a lot of padding in the Pack’s defensive stats. What we’ve discovered in the last month is that any offense with a pulse will have success against this defense, in whatever way they choose to go about it. Duke wanted to throw the ball and they threw it at will. Boston College wanted to run and they ran it at will. Florida State did a little of both and did both well.

Florida State fans may disagree with me, but I think ours is the worst defense in the ACC. We’re banged up, thin, inexperienced, woefully undertalented in the secondary, and we can’t tackle. It’s gotten so bad that I’m pretty much thrilled when we hold teams to a field goal, never mind a punt.

4) You guys are tenth in punt coverage and dead last in kick off coverage in the ACC standings. Clemson is second and first respectively. It’s obviously not smart to kick it to Spiller, but the guy’s trying to win a Heisman. Do you think that you guys kick it to him still? Do you think it’s disrespectful to not kick it to him at this point in the season?

Outside of field goal kicking, special teams have been a huge disaster. I think we’re one of a handful of teams that’s managed zero touchbacks on kickoffs this season. The guy handling the kickoffs, Josh Czajkowski, averages about 60 yards a kick, and either he line drives it and it lands near the goal line or he kicks it with normal loft and it lands around the ten. Either way, it’s bad news. Since it seems like opponents always bring it out to at least the 30 no matter how we kick it, I would imagine that NC State will try to find the up backs at every opportunity. Especially since we were just burned by a kickoff return for a touchdown last week, I don’t think the staff will have any qualms about avoiding Spiller. Disrespectful? No way. We do still have something to play for.

I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do in punting situations, though. Well, I know what I’m gonna do–close my eyes and pray.

5) What are the thoughts of the fan base on Coach Tom O’Brien?

Everybody’s still on board, I think. This is the first year he’s faced real expectations for a successful year, and it hasn’t worked out too well, so there’s a little more grumbling this season than there has been in his first two years. With the way the defense has imploded over the last five games, most of the heat has been aimed at defensive coordinator Mike Archer.

With the quarterback situation and the offense in general finally settled, TOB is running out of excuses, no question about that. Injuries have been a huge factor, but people are tired of hearing about it. The mood could change dramatically with another clunker of a season in 2010.

Posted by Block-C Staff

This week we bring you the blogger that helped us start our “Know Your…” segment a few years back, NoleCC from ScalpEm. Bill is a dear, dear friend of the site and has helped us grow from a fledgling scratch pad on blogger to what it is now. We can’t thank Bill enough for all the help he’s given us over the years. Hence, we didn’t make any jokes about Mickey Andrews or his family. See, we can be good people. WE GOT CLASS. WE DIGNIFIED… AND SHIT. Check out our responses here.

1) Christian Ponder’s rib injury seems not to be as bad as first thought. Do you think this is being downplayed and will if affect him at all?

Interestingly enough in Ponder’s press conference he looked healthier than expected and said it hurt less than last year’s injury. If it’s on par with last year’s rib problem, then yes it’s going to affect his running and his passing. The Athletic Department puts out some sketchy injury reports at times, so really we won’t know until a couple of plays into the game on Saturday night. He’s getting treatment all week and FSU fans are certainly hopeful that it works. E.J. Manuel is a capable backup with many of the same qualities as Ponder, should Ponder have any more injury problems on Saturday night.

2) You guys are ranked 74th in rushing and averaging 136 yards a game. That’s not necessarily stick in the mud rushing, but it’s not breaking through any walls either. We’re about as average at stopping the run. Can we assume you’ll be trying to use the pass to help the running game get going or will this be the most boring first half of football ever?

The rushing stats are deceiving. I honestly believe that the FSU rushing attack is better than advertised for a couple of reasons. First, the Noles have been in shootouts all year, which means they’ve been throwing, throwing, throwing. Ponder’s been the highlight of all of that of course, but it doesn’t mean the running backs have been bad. The offensive line had run blocking issues at the beginning of the year, but adjustments were made. Lonnie Pryor, our big back, was moved to Fullback to get him in the game and that’s paid dividends for FSU in blocking and in short yardage. Jermaine Thomas, Chris Thompson and Ty Jones are all capable backs. Second, I’ll use Jimbo Fisher’s argument that a lot of the passing plays FSU uses are short screens of varying types, which equate to sweeps. Yes, on paper it’s a pass, but it acts more like a run. With the wide receivers doing a lot better than anyone predicted it’s been an effective weapon for FSU. Personally, I wish we’d grind it out more to keep the defense off the field, but I’m sure we’ll see a good mix of pass and run in the first half. Whatever works is whatever Fisher will stick to until it doesn’t work anymore.

3) Clemson is ranked fourth nationally in fewest penalties per game. We see FSU at the other end of the spectrum at 108th. Is this a big enough factor for us to count on for the game? Also, you guys aren’t going to try to use the excuse that you gave the game away if it does come into play, are you?

Silly Tigers, obviously it doesn’t matter that much in the win column. Clemson is only 1 game better than FSU at this point. I’ve never been a big believer in penalties mattering. Look back at FSU in the late 90′s. They were always one of the most heavily penalized teams, but they still managed to win tons of games. It’s like the old saying, “If you’re not cheatin’ then you’re not tryin’.” Aggressive penalties can be forgiven, boneheaded ones at bad times like personal fouls for out-of-bounds hits are the ones that hurt. Either way they’re part of the game. I’ve never been one to bitch about penalties and giving the game away. There are tons of ways to “give a game away” but in the end it’s just a different way of saying, “LOSER.”

4) Do you think that Mickey Andrews’ announcement will have any kind of motivational swing for your defense (good or bad) this Saturday?

We can hope, but I doubt it. Motivation isn’t going to fix the problems on defense. Motivation isn’t going to make a horribly undersized and under-coached defensive line suddenly rush the passer effectively. Motivation isn’t going to make the secondary stop biting on play action. Motivation isn’t going to suddenly improve poorly coached linebackers. I hope they improve and send Mickey out like he should be sent out, but I just don’t see it happening with this crew.

5) Bobby Bowden is a doddering old shit and your entire fucking organization looks incompetent and indecisive due to this coaching clusterfuck. Any objectivity regarding Jimbo is completely out the window because he’s the hopes and dreams for the future of the program, no FSU fan can realistically view him because he is the only perceived pillar of stability in the whole drooping program. This isn’t a question, it’s a fact. Enjoy. BOOM.

I’m sorry, when I read that I was confused, because I saw “entire fucking organization looks incompetent and indecisive” and thought you were talking about the Tommy Bowden era at Clemson.

Regarding Jimbo Fisher, I don’t know if he’s “The Guy.” There’s no way anybody knows yet. What I can say is that I like what I’ve seen from him, with the limited ability he has to do anything under the current leadership structure. He needs the chance to see if he can do it as the Head Coach, with his staff in place. I think he’ll do a great job, but you could be right in that I’m just hopeful for ANYTHING at this point since FSU fans have witnessed garbage for the last few years. I like what I hear from Fisher in press conferences. I like his offense generally. From what I read he’s a great recruiter (to the point that he’s getting defensive recruits like Greg Reid). My biggest concern with Fisher is that he’ll actually be “The Guy” and win an MNC or two and then bail on FSU for the NFL or something. At that point, FSU is back to being up a creek without a paddle.

Posted by Willy Mac

Hey there. Thanks for stopping by again. I traded barbs with the Wake Forest outlet Blogger So Dear over at SB Nation this week and came up with some stats and uncomfortably dodged questions about the topic of the week: Riley Skinner’s Hog. No homo. Check out my responses here (forthcoming.)

1) Wake Forest has one of the better passing attacks in the ACC. What kind of set up should Clemson expect to see? Who are Wake Forest’s big men catching the football?

To be honest, I’m about as in the dark as you guys are. That’s typically what happens with us. We’ve been running some no huddle and a lot of shotgun lately but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we come out in the I just because Coach Lobo (the offensive coordinator) likes to out think himself and basically put formations in a bowl and pick one out.

But if you held a gun to my head, I’d say expect a lot of shotgun. We haven’t been using a lot of double T so you’ll see a lot of three receiver sets. With big men, are we talking TEs, because that’s Andrew Parker’s domain. If we’re talking “big” men, like big play guys, you’ll get a heavy dose of three receivers: Marshall Williams (32 rec, 472 yards, 5 TDs), Devon “Y’lou” Brown (22 rec, 334 yards, 1 TD) and Chris Givens (26 rec, 356 yards, 5 TDs).

2) Have any other teams had any success defending against the Riley Skinner and his passing? If not, what do you think the Tigers defense needs to do in order to slow down Wake?

Baylor had a lot of success containing Riley (as evidenced by his 3 INTs), but to be honest I feel like a lot of that was Skinner feeling pressured to carry the team with all the talk of the new defense. So he forced some throws, had happy feet and all in all looked downright terrible. He looked a lot like that in the first half of the Stanford game too, but played a lot better in the second period.

The way to contain Skinner is by collapsing the pocket from the outside in. He is extremely comfortable making his own play and scrambling (especially right), so keeping him in the pocket and blitzing from the ends will force him to throw over the DL, something he has trouble with because of his size.

3) On the other hand, Wake Forest has been lagging in the rushing category. Where is the breakdown occurring?

The rushing struggles are a bit exaggerated. In two of the last three games the Deacs have rushed for 142 yards (BC, 4.6 ypc) and 156 yards (Maryland, 4.0 ypc). In the NC State game, the terrible stats are heavily weighed down by State’s pressure on Skinner. He was sacked six times and on “11 rushes” lost 33 yards. So if you remove that from the equation Wake rushed for 53 yards (still not great) on 2.9 ypc (also not very good). But Skinner threw 45 times and Wilson attempted 43 passes so it was a shootout type of game and running wasn’t exactly the focal point.

The fact remains that Wake isn’t a run-first team this year. The team is running way too many unsuccessful end-arounds and pitches. The inside draws and the sweeps to the sidelines have worked well though.

4) It’s kind of worrisome for you guys that the Deacs have had some trouble in Death Valley lately, especially given your recent upswing of talented players. Is this the year that the cycle gets broken? How has the Wake Forest defense fared against the schedule this year?

Who knows? I was at the game two years ago and it was just plain domination by the Tigers. The crowd was into it and the atmosphere was tremendous (not to mention you guys were really good hosts to me during tailgating, confederate flag beer pong table aside), but BOY did the Demon Deacons look horrible.

Do I want the cycle to get broken? Of course I do, or I wouldn’t write a Wake Forest blog. But do I think it will? Well again, I write a Wake Forest blog so I have been conditioned to expect the worst. I just flipped a coin. Heads was win, Tails was loss. It was heads. So with the shakiest of convictions I will take the Deacs by 3.

5) Who are the standout players that Clemson fans should highlight in their programs for Saturday?

Because he’s good and because his name is so darned fun to say, Gelo Orange (Really?  – WM.) Also defensively [we've got] John Russell and Brandon Ghee. On offense you can draw whatever you want next to Riley’s name, but also star Marshall Williams, Brown and Givens.

6) Run a Google image search for “Riley Skinner” with the safe search option off. What the hell is that? Seriously? I need an explanation for this. Also, no homo.

It’s obvious Riley decided to give himself a fall back plan in case the NFL does not pan out. And he has a built in adult film name… Riley Fore…well you can figure out the rest. Plus, the Remington rifle sign in the background is a nice touch. It gives new meaning to the “he has a cannon” and “gunslinger” cliches. There’s a lot of speculation and rumor behind the picture, but I won’t go into any of that because I’m still not sure what the truth really is. Plus, it’s more fun to just make stuff up.