All I Want for Christmas
By: Roy Philpott
10. BRANDON THOMPSON IN ORANGE
Four-star defensive tackle Brandon Thompson has been on the verge of a public verbal commitment for months. While it hasn't happened yet, it could at any time. If Thompson were to sign with the Tigers, it would be the final piece of the "Fab Four" puzzle (DaQuan Bowers, Jarrett Crittenton, A.J. Harmon and Thompson) and give Clemson arguably the top defensive line class signed in school history.
9. 40 WINS
We're talking baseball now. Head coach Jack Leggett will be in rebuilding mode this year after losing the heart of his 2007 lineup. Perhaps it would be better say the heart, stomach, lungs, and liver. A team-record 11 players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, nine of which signed professional contracts. While there is talent, it's young. 40 wins would be considered a great season.
8. GOOD FREE THROW SHOOTING
Clemson isn't just a football school, remember? Head coach Oliver Purnell has his team ranked 15th in the nation headed into Thursday's tournament in Puerto Rico. It was this time a year when the Tigers got off to a similar start before a mid-season slump kept the team out of its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1998. The reason? While several could be discussed at length the simplest explanation would be free throws. For the season, Clemson shot just over 57 percent from the line, a number that saw the Tigers ranked 333 out of 336 Division I schools. Clemson is shooting just over 62 percent through the first eight games this season, but that still isn't enough to finish among the top three schools in the ACC.
7. ALL JUNIORS TO RETURN IN '08
This one is pointed towards the juniors considering leaving school early- James Davis, Michael Hamlin and Phillip Merling. Yeah, we know you guys have great potential at the next level, and we know those agents are talking to you and your family, but those dollars could triple with a good senior season. Just ask Gaines Adams.
6. A SEASON OPENER AGAINST ALABAMA
Will somebody make an announcement already? Clemson-Alabama at the Georgia Dome to open the 2008 season could give the Tigers a chance at beating three SEC teams in a row, all away from home. Atlanta Sports Council and Chic-Fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan is hoping to have something done in time for an announcement at the Chic-Fil-A Bowl in two weeks. There's something more appealing about a Clemson-'Bama matchup than, let's say, Clemson-Central Florida. Don't you agree?
5. JAMIE HARPER IN ORANGE
Clemson-orange that is. No one is talking about just yet but Clemson is on the verge of becoming Running Back U. That is, if the staff can sign four-star running back Jamie Harper. Harper is an excellent blend of speed and power and would likely make Clemson's short-yardage issues a thing of the past.
4. A WIN OVER CAROLINA
North Carolina that is ... in basketball. A sneak peek at the upcoming schedule reveals the possibility of a matchup of undefeated teams could be on the horizon Jan. 6 in Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers have two more mini-obstacles on their schedule- at Alabama on Jan. 1 and Ole Miss in the upcoming tournament in Puerto Rico but will be likely favorites in both. Meanwhile the Tar Heels have nothing short of a non-conference cake walk. Imagine a matchup of two top 10 teams to usher in the ACC season. Get your decibel meters ready because it's going to be a loud one in Littlejohn.
3. AN APPEARANCE IN THE SWEET 16
While not a given, getting into the NCAA Tournament this year should be the absolute minimum for this team. Yes, they are that good. Once they get there, it's all about advancing. With a little bracketology luck, nothing would put Clemson on the national stage more in the next nine months than making a run in the NCAA Tournament.
2. A BOWL WIN
After a 9-3 regular season that saw the Tigers come up just short of playing in the ACC Championship game, beating Auburn in Chic-Fil-A bowl to get to 10 wins would go a long ways to having that "good feeling" throughout the offseason. It would also move the Tigers into the preseason top 10 of both major polls next year.
1. A TRIP TO TAMPA
Why Tampa you ask? The ACC Championship game in 2008 isn't in Jacksonville, it's in Tampa. With 18 starters returning, assuming the three top juniors opt to return for their senior seasons, the Tigers are the clear favorite to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. If the football team's motto in 2007 was "Finish the Job," in 2008 it should be "Just Do It." The Tigers should have more returning talent next season than any other under Tommy Bowden.
NICE STOCKING STUFFERS: Triple the number of times Clemson's offense lines up in the "Stallion" package ... More recruiting promises from Spurrier ... More obnoxious billboards placed throughout the state ... A win in Chapel Hill ... A run in the ACC tournament ... Cullen Harper named ACC Player of the Year ... James Davis and C.J. Spiller both go over 1,000 yards rushing in 2008 ... Another win over South Carolina.
With just over one week left until Christmas, it's time to unveil the Clemson fan's wishlist. If only these could be boxed up and placed under the tree Christmas morning:
10. BRANDON THOMPSON IN ORANGE
Four-star defensive tackle Brandon Thompson has been on the verge of a public verbal commitment for months. While it hasn't happened yet, it could at any time. If Thompson were to sign with the Tigers, it would be the final piece of the "Fab Four" puzzle (DaQuan Bowers, Jarrett Crittenton, A.J. Harmon and Thompson) and give Clemson arguably the top defensive line class signed in school history.
9. 40 WINS
We're talking baseball now. Head coach Jack Leggett will be in rebuilding mode this year after losing the heart of his 2007 lineup. Perhaps it would be better say the heart, stomach, lungs, and liver. A team-record 11 players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, nine of which signed professional contracts. While there is talent, it's young. 40 wins would be considered a great season.
8. GOOD FREE THROW SHOOTING
Clemson isn't just a football school, remember? Head coach Oliver Purnell has his team ranked 15th in the nation headed into Thursday's tournament in Puerto Rico. It was this time a year when the Tigers got off to a similar start before a mid-season slump kept the team out of its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1998. The reason? While several could be discussed at length the simplest explanation would be free throws. For the season, Clemson shot just over 57 percent from the line, a number that saw the Tigers ranked 333 out of 336 Division I schools. Clemson is shooting just over 62 percent through the first eight games this season, but that still isn't enough to finish among the top three schools in the ACC.
7. ALL JUNIORS TO RETURN IN '08
This one is pointed towards the juniors considering leaving school early- James Davis, Michael Hamlin and Phillip Merling. Yeah, we know you guys have great potential at the next level, and we know those agents are talking to you and your family, but those dollars could triple with a good senior season. Just ask Gaines Adams.
6. A SEASON OPENER AGAINST ALABAMA
Will somebody make an announcement already? Clemson-Alabama at the Georgia Dome to open the 2008 season could give the Tigers a chance at beating three SEC teams in a row, all away from home. Atlanta Sports Council and Chic-Fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan is hoping to have something done in time for an announcement at the Chic-Fil-A Bowl in two weeks. There's something more appealing about a Clemson-'Bama matchup than, let's say, Clemson-Central Florida. Don't you agree?
5. JAMIE HARPER IN ORANGE
Clemson-orange that is. No one is talking about just yet but Clemson is on the verge of becoming Running Back U. That is, if the staff can sign four-star running back Jamie Harper. Harper is an excellent blend of speed and power and would likely make Clemson's short-yardage issues a thing of the past.
4. A WIN OVER CAROLINA
North Carolina that is ... in basketball. A sneak peek at the upcoming schedule reveals the possibility of a matchup of undefeated teams could be on the horizon Jan. 6 in Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers have two more mini-obstacles on their schedule- at Alabama on Jan. 1 and Ole Miss in the upcoming tournament in Puerto Rico but will be likely favorites in both. Meanwhile the Tar Heels have nothing short of a non-conference cake walk. Imagine a matchup of two top 10 teams to usher in the ACC season. Get your decibel meters ready because it's going to be a loud one in Littlejohn.
3. AN APPEARANCE IN THE SWEET 16
While not a given, getting into the NCAA Tournament this year should be the absolute minimum for this team. Yes, they are that good. Once they get there, it's all about advancing. With a little bracketology luck, nothing would put Clemson on the national stage more in the next nine months than making a run in the NCAA Tournament.
2. A BOWL WIN
After a 9-3 regular season that saw the Tigers come up just short of playing in the ACC Championship game, beating Auburn in Chic-Fil-A bowl to get to 10 wins would go a long ways to having that "good feeling" throughout the offseason. It would also move the Tigers into the preseason top 10 of both major polls next year.
1. A TRIP TO TAMPA
Why Tampa you ask? The ACC Championship game in 2008 isn't in Jacksonville, it's in Tampa. With 18 starters returning, assuming the three top juniors opt to return for their senior seasons, the Tigers are the clear favorite to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. If the football team's motto in 2007 was "Finish the Job," in 2008 it should be "Just Do It." The Tigers should have more returning talent next season than any other under Tommy Bowden.
NICE STOCKING STUFFERS: Triple the number of times Clemson's offense lines up in the "Stallion" package ... More recruiting promises from Spurrier ... More obnoxious billboards placed throughout the state ... A win in Chapel Hill ... A run in the ACC tournament ... Cullen Harper named ACC Player of the Year ... James Davis and C.J. Spiller both go over 1,000 yards rushing in 2008 ... Another win over South Carolina.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 6:52 PM
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1 Comments:
how'd that 3 wins over the sec thing work out? not too good! worry about winning an e-z-z title before setting your sights on consistently beating sec teams so you have something to thump your chest about.
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