USC
Many have deemed the UAB football game as the beginning of the "Garcia Era". Do not forget who roams the sidelines as "head ball coach". Steve Spurrier's track record dictates that South Carolina fans have not seen the last of Chris Smelley.
On an SEC note, things just got very interesting for the Gamecocks. Due to Ole Miss beating Florida, Georgia going down to Alabama, and Tennessee getting beat by Auburn, suddenly the Gamecocks still have a shot at the East. The downside is that Ole Miss is next on the schedule, and Florida won't be overlooking anyone on their schedule moving forward.
Clemson
Death Valley was a funeral parlor Saturday afternoon with even the most loyal Bowden supporters starting to crack from all the inexplicable losses. There are still six ACC games to play and all of Clemson's goals are still in reach. However, a 5-3 record in the ACC will no longer be enough to save Bowden's job. That would leave Clemson at best 8-4 overall, at worst 7-5 with a loss to South Carolina at home. Once again, everyone will see what Bowden can do when his back is against the wall.
After the loss to Maryland, news has spread that College Gameday is headed to Nashville for Vanderbilt-Auburn. Bobby Johnson, head coach for the Commodores, just happens to be a Clemson alum. It did not take 48 hours before I started hearing his name floated around as a possible replacement.
I would like to point out that "replacements" is pure ridiculous speculation at this point. Bowden does have a team that could rip off seven straight wins. Then all will be well. Judging from Saturday, that does not seem likely. We'll see.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
State of the QB's
USC
Do not confuse me for one in the crowd of many shouting for Stephen Garcia to get his first start as quarterback for South Carolina on Saturday. I said during the summer it is in South Carolina's best interest for Tommy Beecher to start every game through the season. Unfortunately 4 interceptions, a bum shoulder, and an intestinal infection have all played a part in preventing that from happening (I'll leave it up to you decide which one of those issues carries the most weight).
Additionally, it was not in South Carolina's best interest for Stephen Garcia to start at any point in the season. During The Open Mike Season Preview Lee and I both agreed that if that occurred, that meant the season was in peril. It is, and if you don't agree with me then why is Steve Spurrier hosting a tryout for the entire offense four weeks into the season?
However, I am looking forward to finding out what Garcia can do. Maybe he's the answer. Maybe not. He's been a great unknown, untapped potential. Sounds like Spurrier is about to tap into it, like opening the last present on Christmas? Is Garcia an new XBox, or a Snoopy tie? This season has been an interesting ride, and doesn't look like that's changing any time soon.
Clemson
Cullen Harper is beginning to get a taste of what Tommy Bowden has endured through 10 seasons. Trip up once, and spend the following weeks with questions of whether you can get the job done, and if someone else can do it better.
Harper 2 interceptions against SC State is a cause for concern. That being said, lets do an exercise shall we? Clemson fans need to take their nifty poster schedules out (or any season schedule handy) and put their hand over the Alabama game.........I'll wait............... okay. Take a look at the uncovered games (Citadel, NC State, SC State) and consider how those games played out. Not so concerned now are you?
If the season started in week 2, terms of "rusty" and "getting on the same page" heard instead of the calls for Willy Korn to step in. It is a big "if" and no one should ignore the weaknesses that Alabama exposed. Consider the competition though. Alabama is now a top 10 team that is contending for the SEC West. All that game meant was that Alabama is ready to take the step up in the SEC, and Clemson should thank heavens above they don't have to.
Clemson fans should be concerned if Harper blows it against Maryland at home, and doesn't improve against Wake Forest. Odds are that won't happen, and hopefully the selective memories Clemson fans possess will allow them to move on, and enjoy pretty successful season in Clemson before it passes them by.
Do not confuse me for one in the crowd of many shouting for Stephen Garcia to get his first start as quarterback for South Carolina on Saturday. I said during the summer it is in South Carolina's best interest for Tommy Beecher to start every game through the season. Unfortunately 4 interceptions, a bum shoulder, and an intestinal infection have all played a part in preventing that from happening (I'll leave it up to you decide which one of those issues carries the most weight).
Additionally, it was not in South Carolina's best interest for Stephen Garcia to start at any point in the season. During The Open Mike Season Preview Lee and I both agreed that if that occurred, that meant the season was in peril. It is, and if you don't agree with me then why is Steve Spurrier hosting a tryout for the entire offense four weeks into the season?
However, I am looking forward to finding out what Garcia can do. Maybe he's the answer. Maybe not. He's been a great unknown, untapped potential. Sounds like Spurrier is about to tap into it, like opening the last present on Christmas? Is Garcia an new XBox, or a Snoopy tie? This season has been an interesting ride, and doesn't look like that's changing any time soon.
Clemson
Cullen Harper is beginning to get a taste of what Tommy Bowden has endured through 10 seasons. Trip up once, and spend the following weeks with questions of whether you can get the job done, and if someone else can do it better.
Harper 2 interceptions against SC State is a cause for concern. That being said, lets do an exercise shall we? Clemson fans need to take their nifty poster schedules out (or any season schedule handy) and put their hand over the Alabama game.........I'll wait............... okay. Take a look at the uncovered games (Citadel, NC State, SC State) and consider how those games played out. Not so concerned now are you?
If the season started in week 2, terms of "rusty" and "getting on the same page" heard instead of the calls for Willy Korn to step in. It is a big "if" and no one should ignore the weaknesses that Alabama exposed. Consider the competition though. Alabama is now a top 10 team that is contending for the SEC West. All that game meant was that Alabama is ready to take the step up in the SEC, and Clemson should thank heavens above they don't have to.
Clemson fans should be concerned if Harper blows it against Maryland at home, and doesn't improve against Wake Forest. Odds are that won't happen, and hopefully the selective memories Clemson fans possess will allow them to move on, and enjoy pretty successful season in Clemson before it passes them by.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Bad Apples
Fanatic Antics
Colin Cowherd consistently reminds his listeners that fan is short for fanatic. Unfortunately, Clemson and South Carolina fans have both given college football evidence for this shorthand term.
Ironically, both incidents occured while hosting NC State. Two weeks ago, ESPN's cameras caught South Carolina fans giving a middle finger to Wolfpack Quarterback Russell Wilson as he was being carted off on a stretcher. The picture was posted on many obscure college football internet sites, as well as Clemson message boards. Apparently some Clemson fans felt upstaged and wanted to take the insults to the next level.
Sixteen days later, NC State made the trip to Death Valley. As Head Coach Tom O'Brien began to leave the field through the crowd of fans that are traditionally allowed to enter the field after the game ends, he was occosted by a couple of Clemson fans. Tommy Bowden began his press conference with an apology to Coach O'Brien and NC State football.
While neither incident has made much of an impact in the national press, it is still embarrassing for two programs still trying to shed the images of Yusef Kelly kicking a South Carolina player on the ground during the 2004 brawl, or the confederate flag being displayed in Columbia during "College Football Gameday" on ESPN two seasons ago.
Their is only so much the athletic departments can do, outside of Clemson ending the "Gathering at the Paw" tradition (which is somewhat outdated, and still asking for trouble). Both are cases of "a few bad apples", but as the saying continues, it spoils the rest of the bunch. It is a reflection on the entire fanbase, like it or not, when these things occur.
Without sounding preachy, its up to the fans themselves to prevent incidents like this again. I hope the fans involved in "flipping off" Russell Wilson and the ones who went after O'Brien felt it was worth it in the end, because it cost both programs just a little more dignity.
Colin Cowherd consistently reminds his listeners that fan is short for fanatic. Unfortunately, Clemson and South Carolina fans have both given college football evidence for this shorthand term.
Ironically, both incidents occured while hosting NC State. Two weeks ago, ESPN's cameras caught South Carolina fans giving a middle finger to Wolfpack Quarterback Russell Wilson as he was being carted off on a stretcher. The picture was posted on many obscure college football internet sites, as well as Clemson message boards. Apparently some Clemson fans felt upstaged and wanted to take the insults to the next level.
Sixteen days later, NC State made the trip to Death Valley. As Head Coach Tom O'Brien began to leave the field through the crowd of fans that are traditionally allowed to enter the field after the game ends, he was occosted by a couple of Clemson fans. Tommy Bowden began his press conference with an apology to Coach O'Brien and NC State football.
While neither incident has made much of an impact in the national press, it is still embarrassing for two programs still trying to shed the images of Yusef Kelly kicking a South Carolina player on the ground during the 2004 brawl, or the confederate flag being displayed in Columbia during "College Football Gameday" on ESPN two seasons ago.
Their is only so much the athletic departments can do, outside of Clemson ending the "Gathering at the Paw" tradition (which is somewhat outdated, and still asking for trouble). Both are cases of "a few bad apples", but as the saying continues, it spoils the rest of the bunch. It is a reflection on the entire fanbase, like it or not, when these things occur.
Without sounding preachy, its up to the fans themselves to prevent incidents like this again. I hope the fans involved in "flipping off" Russell Wilson and the ones who went after O'Brien felt it was worth it in the end, because it cost both programs just a little more dignity.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tis the Season
Brady
ESPN is the most powerful media entity in all of sports. They dictate what time college football is played at. They pay the NFL billions and make a profit. However, on Brady, they overreacted all day long yesterday. Stop with the comparisons to Jordan and Woods. Both basketball and golf have laid those two stars as the foundation for their success. The NFL is different. Fans of the NFL have their favorite teams, and then they have their favorite players. Joe Montana disappeared for two and a half seasons only to re-emerge in Kansas City. The top story of that time: Steve Young winning an NFL MVP. Nobody asked when Emmitt Smith retired "Who is going to be the next Emmitt Smith?" So Brady being gone for the season levels things out a bit. It'll open up the doors for new stories and fresh faces. So put down the gun NFL pundits, they're still playing next Sunday.
Pac 10 Refs
A lot has been said about the Jake Locker penalty in the BYU-Washington game. The majority of which has been along the lines of "should have been a no call." I even heard one on air personality say that refs "hide behind the rulebook." Digest that one for a minute while I ask a hypothetical question. What should have the call been if the ball was thrown into the air and hit a BYU player? That would have constituted as a penalty more than likely. Celebration rules are intended for players to avoid drawing attention to themselves or "showing up" the other team. Had the ball landed on a BYU player's head, that would fall under the heading "showing up" the other team. No, it didn't happen that way, but refs don't call holding because it resulted in a touchdown run. They call holding on TD runs, QB sacks, and everything in between. They call penalties on infractions if it had an consequence in the game or not. Locker made a mistake, and the refs made the right call.
ESPN is the most powerful media entity in all of sports. They dictate what time college football is played at. They pay the NFL billions and make a profit. However, on Brady, they overreacted all day long yesterday. Stop with the comparisons to Jordan and Woods. Both basketball and golf have laid those two stars as the foundation for their success. The NFL is different. Fans of the NFL have their favorite teams, and then they have their favorite players. Joe Montana disappeared for two and a half seasons only to re-emerge in Kansas City. The top story of that time: Steve Young winning an NFL MVP. Nobody asked when Emmitt Smith retired "Who is going to be the next Emmitt Smith?" So Brady being gone for the season levels things out a bit. It'll open up the doors for new stories and fresh faces. So put down the gun NFL pundits, they're still playing next Sunday.
Pac 10 Refs
A lot has been said about the Jake Locker penalty in the BYU-Washington game. The majority of which has been along the lines of "should have been a no call." I even heard one on air personality say that refs "hide behind the rulebook." Digest that one for a minute while I ask a hypothetical question. What should have the call been if the ball was thrown into the air and hit a BYU player? That would have constituted as a penalty more than likely. Celebration rules are intended for players to avoid drawing attention to themselves or "showing up" the other team. Had the ball landed on a BYU player's head, that would fall under the heading "showing up" the other team. No, it didn't happen that way, but refs don't call holding because it resulted in a touchdown run. They call holding on TD runs, QB sacks, and everything in between. They call penalties on infractions if it had an consequence in the game or not. Locker made a mistake, and the refs made the right call.
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