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As families across the state of South Carolina begin to gather for Thanksgiving,
there will certainly be talk of this weekend’s rivalry game in Clemson. The
Clemson - Carolina game is not only one of the longest uninterrupted rivalries
in college football; it is one of the most bitter and spirited. This game often
pits brother against brother, wife against husband, and in some cases you can
even find, parents verses children. In the landscape of college football,
rarely does a rivalry have the combination of longevity and closeness in
proximity to your adversary as we have in our state.
As a player, you know that if you make a big play in this game, your legacy
could be solidified. One mistake and you are remembered favorable by your
nemesis. The names Gore, Butler, Gardner, Whitehurst and Underwood will be
forever revered in Clemson and loathed at Williams-Brice. Those names sting
Gamecock fans the way the names Edwards, Hold, and Taneyhill conjure memories
of disappointment for the Tiger faithful.
In many ways, Clemson’s domination of this series is impressive. When you
evaluate the history of the rivalry, it’s hard to believe what Clemson has
accomplished. Consider that for the first 57 years, Clemson played in Columbia,
and still held a twelve game lead in the series. Over the next 48 games, Clemson
has gone 31-16-1 stretching their advantage to a nearly insurmountable
twenty-seven games. In fact, you have to be well over 40 years old to remember
the last time South Carolina won back to back games in the series. That history
seems to creep into the minds of Gamecock fans and players as kickoff gets
closer.
This is a rivalry that very few teams can match. In my opinion, the Clemson
– Carolina game is frequently passed over nationally as a top rivalry,
because rarely do both teams come in highly ranked by season’s end. This
year’s noon start on ESPN2 doesn’t exactly grab anyone outside of the
regions attention. It will be interesting to see how motivated these teams are
on Saturday considering the kickoff time. There is a lot riding on this game
for both teams, but sometimes knowing you are not on in prime time can diminish
an individual’s passion. I wouldn't expect that to happen in this one,
because with one big play, you WILL be remembered forever in our state.
Virginia week on Tigernet tends to lead to two types of posts. Posts from those
who know what pergolas are and posts from those who want to know. This week,
things started off the same, but it seems the coaching situation has replaced
the some of the usual talk of pergola construction. Did anyone hear that
Clemson will be adding one to the east side of Memorial Stadium next season? I
kid, I kid.
There was a time when Clemson fans could chalk the Virginia game up in the win
column before loading up the vehicle for the game. Clemson once owned a 29-0
series advantage and every Tiger fan expected to win verses the Cavilers.
However, that all ended in 1990 and since that time, UVA has led the series
8-6-1. Many Clemson fans still blame Ken Hatfield for this series taking a turn
for the worst. However, Hatfield did finish his career with a winning record
going 2-1-1 against the Wahoo's, but the same can't be said for the two
Tommy's. West finished 1-4 while Bowden went 3-3 in his time at Clemson.
Since the expansion of the ACC Clemson and Virginia don't see each other every
year. These two teams last squared off in 2004. In that game, a 9th ranked
Virginia team dominated the Tigers 30-10 and secured their largest margin of
victory in the series. In an odd event, I don't think either team has a player
with game experience against the other squad. I don't recall that ever
happening for Clemson. I guess this is one of the adjustments that have to be
made with a twelve team conference. It will be interesting to see how Clemson
responds in a must win game on the road.
Switching gears a bit, as the football season begins to wind down, the search
for Clemson's next head coach continues. With Texas seemingly securing Will
Muschamp as "Coach In Waiting", Clemson now turns it's attention towards other
coaching candidates. The one thing that seems to become more apparent each week
is that no one really knows what is going on.
There is tons of speculation and investigation, but very little has come from
any of the information. This week, I talk about the possibility of Lane Kiffin,
my third choice, becoming the next head coach at Clemson.
Anyhow, if you can't get that pergola out of your mind, learn to build one
yourself.
http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/pergola-construction.htm
If this past weekend's game is any further indication of Clemson's mental
state, it's not looking good for the remainder of the season. I would venture
to guess that the odds of Clemson going 0-3 are slightly higher right now than
of going 3-0. To make that stat worse, the teams remaining on the schedule are
all teams Clemson has dominated in our history.
Duke, Virgina, and South Carolina all seem more daunting than they did in
August. These were supposed to be cupcake wins heading into the ACC title game.
Sure USC is on our schedule, but it's not "The USC". Yet, I still think we might
go 0-3. Did I mention we play Duke too?
It would be one thing if you could pin it all on one specific area, but you
can't. It's not the offensive lines fault that they came in inexperienced and
have been hammered with injuries all year. I have tried to look past that
situation, we can't change that right now. I have yet to see this team respond
to adversity. We seem to lack motivation to get going when the going gets
tough.
For me, it's been the critical mistakes in decision making, by players and
coaches. It boils down to the inability to avoid these mistakes and in turn
make your own breaks. It's the bad interceptions that have led to points for
our opponents, it's losing containment at the worst times, it's the players
looking lost at times during zone coverage, a blitz package that couldn't break
through a wet paper bag, and the inability to move the ball on the ground verses
top tier teams. I'm sure there are more, I'll let you list them if you wish.
Sadly, the odds of this talented Clemson team earning a bowl bid have dwindled
to slim and none. Sure, we could run the table, but the Tigers will have to
play smart football. I just don't know that we are good enough to win these
last three games, if we continue making crucial mistakes. The disappointing
thing is that we will be the most talented team on the field in all three
games.
In closing, I am excited to tell you that I plan to continue TigerNet Talk
throughout basketball season. We began a new segment this week, "Beyond the
Arc" with Daniel Alexander. Daniel was on with me the whole show as we wanted
to test the system. The new equipment still has a few bugs, but it seemed to
work pretty well. I hope you continue to tune in during basketball season. It's
an exciting time for Oliver Purnell and the boys. I can't wait for the season to
get rolling! Thanks again for your support.
Yeah, I know I should be in marketing. I couldn't resist, maybe ESPN will pick
up on it before Saturday. I mean, my photoshop of Rendrick Taylor as "The Hulk"
seemed to catch on. Why wouldn't I expect "Dabo'wden Bowl I" to be next? I must
be in the wrong business! (Insert Sarcasm)
This season has been a total roller coaster. Clemson has basically played a
palindromic season LWWWLLLW. It's not the first time something odd like that
has happened in Clemson's football history. If you've never noticed, Clemson's
bowl history carries the same odd tendency throughout. WWWLLL WL WL WL
WWWWWLWLLLLL WL WWLL (Twilight Zone music)
None the less, back to what is important. The Florida State game carries the
weight of a season that once seemed completely lost. If the Tigers come out
playing like they have nothing to lose, you can expect great things to happen.
If we come out the least bit tentative, the Seminoles will exploit our
offensive line with an aggressive blitz package. If that happens the Clemson
quarterbacks will be on the run all night.
A win this weekend would instantly put Clemson back in the conference hunt.
However, the Seminoles will be hungry and their trying to protect something
sacred. They have never been beaten four straight times by an ACC oppenent. If
Clemson finds a way to get up early, they have to continue assaulting the
Seminoles. Florida State will be playing with tons of pride and you can bet
they will want this victory.
Unfortunately for the 'Noles, Clemson has surpassed them talent wise. Man for
man, Clemson is the better team. It will be a bitter pill for Florida State to
swallow, but Dabo has built a fire inside each Clemson Tiger player. This is a
new Clemson Tiger team. They stand by each other, they believe in one another,
and I expect their claws to come out in Tallahassee.
Thursday November 27, 2008
