CUTigers.com Blog

Noon Games are for the Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:58:00 +0000

In what is usually the slowest time of the year for schools not playing in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, the ACC provided some news Tuesday by announcing the start times for each of Clemson's first three football games:

Clemson vs. Alabama - The Georgia Dome - Aug. 30 - 8:00 PM (ABC)

Clemson vs. The Citadel - Death Valley - Sept. 6 - 3:30 PM (ESPN 360)

Clemson vs. N.C. State - Death Valley - Sept. 13 - Noon (Raycom)

The Alabama game, as expected, will kickoff at 8 PM in the Georgia Dome in front of a national television audience on ABC.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Somewhat surprisingly, The Citadel game won't be at noon or 1 o'clock but rather at 3:30 and it will be televised on ESPN's 415th channel- ESPN 360.

Again- sounds pretty good. The Citadel would usually be a team that generally wouldn't warrant television consideration and would kick around 1 o'clock.

But then there's game No. 3- against N.C. State.

The Tigers and Wolfpack will do battle in Death Valley on Sept. 13, 2008 shortly after 12 noon.

That's September, a summer month where temperatures usually reach 90-plus degrees on any given day.

That's noon, meaning the game will be played during the hottest time of the day.

That's noon, meaning someone who has to drive two hours or more from another part of South Carolina or surrounding states, who also wants to tailgate for an hour or two, is likely waking up at 6 AM to pile into the car to try and make it on time.

Simply put, noon games in September are wrong on so many levels.

Believe me, I understand that Raycom has some massive contract with the ACC and has to televise at least one game for each school every season and noon is probably the only time slot it can get in today's sports-crazed-televised world.

But as much as I love college football, and Clemson football, I absolutely despise noon games.

It's too hot- the average temperature for Sept. 13 is 84 degrees, but I promise it won't be that "cool" this year. In fact, the hottest temperature on record for Sept. 13 is actually 95 degrees, which is about how hot it feels like every September throughout most of the Palmetto state anyway.

If you have any children, relatives or friends who are sensitive to the heat, then you know this can be an issue after sitting directly in the sun at Death Valley for three and a half hours.

It's too early- if you are driving from anywhere outside of the upstate- your Clemson "experience" before the game is limited to a biscuit, a drink and whatever you can afford to buy in the stadium.

It hurts the atmosphere- the later in the day any game is played in Death Valley, and this goes for most stadiums for that matter, the better the atmosphere. Perhaps it's as simple as more fans have more time to "get prepared" or they are just more awake because they didn't wake up at 6 AM to get there. Whatever argument you want to use holds water with me. The later the time, the better the atmosphere.

I'm not asking for 12 night games on Clemson's schedule because I know that's just not feasible.

I'm not even asking for all the home games to be played at night or after 6 PM- but I would like to see a move away from the early early start times at home, especially in the month of September.

Were you there for the 2003 Georgia game played in Death Valley?

Do you remember how INSANELY HOT it was that day? Me personally, I think I'm still recovering from the sunburn I suffered that afternoon.

3:30 or later gets my vote each and every time. The game doesn't get over too late and it doesn't start too early. Noon games are brutally hot throughout while the temperatures start cooling down right around halftime for 3:30 kicks and the crowd is into it from the very beginning.

Noon- well that's a different story- one that's for the birds if you ask me.

Another Preseason Top 10

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:54:00 +0000

Athlon is in the process of releasing its top 10 teams in the nation and not surprisingly, Clemson comes in at No. 10.

Some other intriguing items include:

WR Aaron Kelly is named Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-ACC.

QB Cullen Harper, RB James Davis, C Thomas Austin, DL Dorell Scott, S Michael Hamlin and KR C.J. Spiller are named First-Team All-ACC.

RB C.J. Spiller, CB Chris Chancellor, S Chris Clemons, K Mark Buchholz and PR Jacoby Ford are named Second-Team All-ACC.

DL Ricky Sapp joins the All-ACC Third Team.

For more information, go here: link

It's also interesting to note that just two other teams from ACC are ranked in the top 25 released so far- Virginia Tech at No. 21 and Wake Forest at No. 24.

Ranking the 2008 Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:29:00 +0000

1) AT FLORIDA STATE
Whether you believe Florida State will be vastly improved or not in 2008, Doak Campbell Stadium is still a difficult place to play for most teams. Clemson has won there exactly once since 1989.

2) AT WAKE FOREST
Groves Stadium, while seating just 31,500 has been a house of horrors for a lot of teams in recent years. The Tigers lost there in 2003 and 2005 before finally winning in 2006 after a miracle play made by the future No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft in Gaines Adams. What will it take for you to start to believe in Jim Grobe?

3) ALABAMA
Opening the season with Crimson Tide is intriguing, but will it be as tough as road games at FSU and Wake Forest? Probably not. Nick Saban has recruited well in Tuscaloosa, but he's still playing mostly with Mike Shula's players. Come on, does John Parker Wilson really scare you?

4) AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Simply put, Clemson hasn't beaten Boston College since the Eagles joined the league in 2005. Yes Matt Ryan is gone. Yes Andre Callendar, L.V. Whitworth, Kevin Challenger, DeJuan Tribble and Jamie Silva are gone, but this team still is physical AND BIG at the line of scrimmage. Until it happens, winning in "Chestnut Hill" isn't as easy as it sounds.

5) AT VIRGINIA
The last time the Tigers ventured into Charlottesville, they left with a 30-10 defeat. Good thing that was four years ago. The Cavs could be tough in 2008, but chances are they'll be the "white meat" Clemson fans will remember from the 1970s and 80s more than anything else come November.

6) SOUTH CAROLINA
Hey- it's a rivalry game and the Gamecocks figure to be above Georgia Tech in our list after it takes Paul Johnson a year to install his spread-option scheme. Two words- chicken curse.

7) GEORGIA TECH
Clemson generally waxes Georgia Tech one year and loses to the Yellow Jackets the next. This is one of the "good years."

8) N.C. STATE
The Pack could get back to bowl eligibility this year- problem is they'll likely be headed to San Francisco as one of the last teams from the league to make it to the postseason. Make that five in a row for the Tigers in the "Textile Bowl."

9) MARYLAND
Did you know Ralph Friedgen actually hired an offensive coordinator for the 2008 season? Maybe those first three years in College Park really did have some luck involved ... or something. How did he win all of those games anyway?

10) DUKE
Poor Ted Roof. At least he has a chance to rebuild his career now in Minnesota. Now David Cutcliffe gets to see what it's like to share a football stadium with a medical center. (visit the press box next time you're in Durham for more info)

11) THE CITADEL
The Bulldogs actually were tied with No. 7 Wisconsin on the road last year at halftime. Not bad. Keep an eye on WR Andre Roberts come September.

12) S.C. STATE
No disrespect to head coach Buddy Pough, because he's built a team that has a good number of FBS prospects on it, but somebody had to be last on our list. Losing QB Cleveland McCoy gives The Citadel the slight edge.

Another Reason to be Excited

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:03:00 +0000

As if Clemson fans needed another reason to be excited about the start of the 2008 season ...

Aside from the Tigers being listed by nearly every preseason publication as the favorite to win the ACC, how about ESPN's College Game Day being on the scene for the Aug. 30 battle with Alabama in the Georgia Dome?

According to Tony Barnhart of the AJC, the announcement may be nothing short of a formality at this point. You can read the full article by clicking this link.

"The folks at ESPN like to keep their options open and insist no decision has been made. But I’m hearing that the College Game Day boys are coming to Atlanta on Aug. 30 as part of the run-up to the Clemson-Alabama game at the Georgia Dome," Barnhart writes.

Clemson fans will remember the last time Gameday visited the Tigers was one of the best performances turned in by a Tommy Bowden-coached team ... well ever. The 31-7 waxing of 13th-ranked Georgia Tech back Oct. 2006 is a game still talked about to this very day.

You remember it don't you? The introduction of Thunder and Lightning, the all-purple jerseys, the electricity, the excitement and the playstation-like moves of C.J. Spiller.

Of course, having Game Day on hand will only make it harded to get a ticket to what's already being called "the hardest ticket to get in the history of the Georgia Dome."

Think about it for a second ... 80,000 Clemson fans and 90,000 Alabama fans all trying to get a seat in the 70,000 seat Georgia Dome.

Because it's a season opener and expectations are still so high as neither team has yet to lose a game, you could make the argument this game could be played in a 175,000 seat stadium and it would still sell out.

But, having Game Day on hand is never a bad thing ... at minimum it's a massive opportunity for publicity and given the game is being played during the first weekend of the college football season, multiply the usual pub by about 20 considering "Clemson" and "Alabama" will be mentioned every day the entire month of August on ESPN.

And speaking of C.J. Spiller, here is one of my favorite series of pictures of him at Clemson right below. I just happened to be in the end zone in front of him as he juked a Georgia Tech defender and scampered down the sideline for the easy score in that 24-point win over the Jackets two years ago.

At this point, Jacoby Ford is thinking about what's going on after the game because the game itself was OVER.

Dealing with Expectations

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Every year about this time, as the upcoming season preview magazines start to hit the magazine shelves, fans start pondering legitimate expectations for their respective teams.

It's always interesting to see how one magazine views a team differently than another.

Truthfully, you are going to get 100 times the information on Clemson on a web site like CUTigers.com or through a newspaper that covers the beat simply because we know what is going on at Clemson more than any national media outlet ever could.

We are there, on campus, probably 300 days of the year.

However, the preview magazines are a great way to get a feel for what the rest of the ACC has been up to during the offseason and to gauge how good (or bad) certain teams could be in the coming year.

But for the Clemson football team, things are going to be a little different over the course of the next few months than what we've seen in years past.

Why?

Because this year, the Tigers are going to be the favorite to win the league. No more Matt Ryan. Florida State and Miami are still rebuilding. Virginia Tech lost most of its defense, not to mention its top receiver, running back and cornerback.

Tommy Bowden told us last week in an interview for our upcoming 2008 preview issue of CUTigers The Magazine, he wouldn't be treating anything different even though his team will be picked to win the ACC.

"I’ve been coaching long enough to know that those (predictions) are really not that important because injuries you don’t know about or getting an unlucky break or team moral," he said. "You just don’t know how your team is going to handle certain situations. How are they going to react to a loss? Those are things you don’t know.

“I don’t look at it any differently that what I have over my last 31 years (of coaching). We’re really not going to prepare any differently. But we are going to talk to them a little differently because they’re going to read things that are different about this team than they’ve read in the past because of the expectations."

Typically speaking, the Tigers have played better under Bowden with their back against the wall and not as the favorite. In fact, Bowden and his team haven't lost a game as a lined underdog since Oct. 2005 against Georgia Tech.

But how will they respond being named the favorite to win the Atlantic Division and the league?

A handful of national level publications have already listed Clemson as the favorite to win the ACC, including reporters on CollegeFootballNews.com and ESPN.com. And that's just the beginning.

Strangely enough, this team is already used to playing the favorite role in individual games. Check out a listing of the lined games Clemson has played in during the last two years:

2007:
Auburn - Clemson by 2.5
South Carolina - Clemson by 3
Boston College - Clemson favored by 8.5
Wake Forest - Clemson favored by 8.5
Duke - Clemson favored by 17.5
Maryland - Clemson favored by 3.5
Central Michigan - Clemson favored by 17
Virginia Tech - Clemson favored by 5.5
Georgia Tech - Clemson favored by 3
N.C. State - Clemson favored by 8
Furman - no line
Louisiana-Monroe - Clemson favored by 27
Florida State - 'Noles favored by 3

2006
Kentucky - Clemson favored by 9
South Carolina - Clemson favored by 5.5
N.C. State - Clemson favored by 17
Maryland - Clemson favored by 11
Virginia Tech - Clemson by 4.5
Georgia Tech - Clemson favored by 8
Temple - Clemson favored by 43.5
Wake Forest - Clemson favored by 16.5
Louisiana Tech - Clemson favored by 33.5
Florida State - Florida State by 4
Boston College - Clemson favored by 2.5
Florida Atlantic - Clemson favored by 33.5

Notice a trend? If you're name isn't Florida State, you're going to be an underdog against the Tigers.

But how will they respond being named the favorite to win the league at the ACC's Annual Preseason Media Kickoff? Does it increase the pressure? Is it a motivating factor? Is it meaningless?

You tell me.

No Surprise, But Good News

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:57:00 +0000

Our friends at the Charleston Post & Courier reported earlier today Oliver Purnell has signed his contract extension, which was first announced before Clemson's NCAA Tournament game against Villanova back in March.

While that should come as no surprise, it's good news none the less.

Purnell is all class and has turned the Tigers into an ACC power in five seasons on the job. What's even more impressive than that is the kind of talent he has coming to Tigertown in the years to come.

Unlike two of the more succesful coaches at Clemson in the last 25 years, Cliff Ellis and Rick Barnes, Purnell has positioned the basketball program to experience virtually no fall off after a successful season due to multiple years of outstanding recruiting.

The Tigers will welcome one of the top point guards in the nation on campus later this summer when Andre Young officially enrolls at Clemson. He'll be joined by a pair of four-star prospects in 7-1 center Catilin Baicu and 6-5 small forward Tanner Smith.

And that's only the beginning.

The following year, power forward Milton Jennings, who will end up being one of the top players to ever sign with the Tigers before it's all said and done, will report to Clemson along with the younger brother of current Clemson forward Trevor Booker, Devin.

Purnell deserves every penny of the $1 million+ he's getting because he's turned the Tigers from a league cellar-dwellar to one of the top four programs in the conference.

And nobody except Purnell thought it could be done at what most people percieved simply as a "football school."

Bye Bye Boise

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:17:00 +0000

Call me crazy, but is the ACC somewhat crazy too?

The Humanitarian Bowl has been reserved for the eighth-place team in the ACC for quite some time, however now the league is seeking to align itself with a new bowl game formed in Washington, D.C. and old one in Mobile, Ala, instead of sending a team out west.

That's right, be sure to hold your breath for the "Congressional Bowl" in our Nation's capital and the GMAC Bowl in Mobile in the coming years.

I guess I understand the desire to move away from the bowl game in Boise, ID. It's more than 2,300 miles away from most schools in the league and not the most attractive location for most fans.

Except for people like me, who want to go on a nice winter vacation to go skiing, of course.

If you think about it, if you are the eighth-place team in the league, your fans probably aren't going to travel in throngs anyway, but why in the world would anybody want to spend a cold December afternoon in Mobile, Ala. of all places?

Washington is more understandable, but teams from around the league already play Maryland, don't they? For every team in the Atlantic Division, they'll be in the D.C. area every two years as it is. Sure, there's an opportunity for touring the city during the week leading up to the game itself and that makes sense, but D.C. is going to be cold and dreary in December- is that really a "big reward?"

Furthermore, this year's Congressional Bowl will pit the ACC's ninth-place team against Paul Johnson-less Navy (if it is bowl eligible).

Who is that going to be - Duke? North Carolina? Duke versus Navy in Washington, D.C. Ugh.

How about South Carolina versus Navy? Ouch, better not go there.

Again, call me crazy, but send the eighth-place team to Boise for a week of fun in the snow and possibly some of the best skiing in the country instead of Ladd-Peoples Stadium in Mobile.

Even it if it's called the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl Presented by the Larry Miller Automotive Group (which it was at one point by the way), it still holds more prestige than the previously mentioned option.

And the ninth place team? Just keep whoever that is at home.

Please, for the love of television ratings.

No Ninth Game? No Problem

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:50:00 +0000

It is being reported the ACC has nixed the idea of adding a ninth game to its regular season football schedule.

While I don't really have a problem with that, I do think it's intriguing to consider how such a format would work.

Would the ninth game be scheduled against the same opponent every year in the same way every team in the Atlantic Division has a certain team in the Coastal in plays every single year? (For Clemson that team is Georgia Tech)

If that would be the case, why not Miami or Virginia Tech? Knowing Clemson would get to play the 'Canes or Hokies every year would be a nice "addition" to the schedule.

Even though it isn't going to happen, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have another guaranteed game against a quality opponent.

The coaches, on the other hand, are completely against it as playing another conference game is seen in their eyes as the potential difference between nine and 10 wins- which could keep their team out of the BCS.

At this point the ACC isn't good enough to where that argument is valid.

BLOG: Top 10 Least Favorite Players in the ACC

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:55:00 +0000

I'll be the first to admit the ACC has some players that are easy to root for like ... Cliff Hammonds, Tyrese Rice, Bambale Osby or Ty Lawson.

Guys that can be admired for their work on, and sometimes, off the court.

But there are more players who are much more easy to dislike. Maybe it's human nature. Maybe it's simply because there are an exceedingly high number of players in the league this year that are just ... well ... annoying.

You know who I'm talking about, it's not like it's some big mystery. Here's a list of the top 10 least favorite players in the ACC as things stand today:

10. G SEAN SINGLETARY (Virginia)
Singletary makes this list simply because it seems like he's played at Virginia for the last 17 years. Yes he's a good player, and let's be honest, he is Virginia basketball this year. But graduate already. Be done with it so we can all follow your career overseas.

9. F TYLER HANSBROUGH (North Carolina)
There are many aspects to Hansbrough's game that should be admired. The low-post game. The free-throw shooting. The rebounding. The toughness. Cancelling all of that out is the latest addition to his arsenal- the flop. You know, the same maneuver Greg Paulus has made so famous over the years? That's the one.

8. F GAVIN GRANT (N.C. State)
Another player in the league who seemingly has 14 years of eligibility. Once recruited by former State head coach Les Robinson, Grant will finally be done after the Pack's season mercifully ends after they are eliminated in the ACC tournament. Call him the Bruce Bowen of the ACC. He's just annoying to watch and he plays with a scowl that certainly hasn't helped State's lack of team chemistry this year.

7. G JACK MCCLINTON (Miami)
McClinton is a special player, no question. If anybody in the ACC can turn into Vinny Johnson, aka "The Microwave," it's McClinton. This guy can straight up score the basketball when he's called upon. We put him on this list for just that fact. He wins games for the 'Canes they have no business winning and whines when he doesn't get the calls he thinks he deserves.

6. G MATT CAUSEY (Georgia Tech)
Let's be honest here. This guy has no game but he thinks he does. Is there anything worse than watching somebody like that? Yeah Matt, we get it. You used play basketball for Georgetown but you weren't good enough there so you transferred to Georgia Tech for a year. Dude, you're not any good. Don't worry though, the offseason is just a week away.

5. F RYAN REID (Florida State)
He's the dirtiest player in the league and averages a whopping 4.8 points per game. Not surprisingly, he was tangled up with another player on our list in a matchup with Duke earlier this year. Clean in up Ryan.

4. F J.J. Hickson (N.C. State)
Yeah, we know you're good J.J. We know you lead the league in field goal percentage. We know some scouts are talking you as a future lottery pick. It's just too bad you couldn't carry your team into the NCAA Tournament. What is the problem with N.C. State anyway? They have NCAA talent, but not even NIT results. Ouch.

3. G JON SCHEYER (Duke)
He's Greg Paulus in training when it comes to the most annoying players in the ACC. It's his facial expressions. It's his mannerisms. It's everything. Scheyer delivers the total package on so many levels but still doesn't top our list.

2. G GREG PAULUS (Duke)
Some may call him the kingpin of the most annoying players in the league. You know, the king flopper. The king of the clear out. The king of the hand check. The king of whining. Sure, give him credit for improving his shot this season, but he's still one of the most annoying players in the country to watch. Simply put, he's a weasel looking to flop his way to the top of our list. But somewhat surprisingly, he didn't.

1. F DANNY GREEN (North Carolina)
Please, Roy Williams, read what I'm writing. Put a stop to the little river-dance routine Danny Green likes to do before tipoff. It's embarrassing. It's ridiculous. It's strange. Click here to see what I'm talking about. Oh, and we know you can dunk too Danny. There's no need to scream at the top of your lungs every time you do it. Trust me when I write nobody will be more excited than me to see Green and the Heels dance their way out of the NCAA Touranment later this month because it's going to happen. It's called defense. Stop the dancing and learn how to defend the basket and maybe you've got a chance.

The Ideal Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:27:00 +0000

While the official 2008 schedule with exact dates won't be released until the end of January, four game dates and all of the opponents are already known.

With that in mind, here's a look at what an ideal schedule would be:

GAME ONE: VS. ALABAMA*
Aug. 30, 2008

The Alabama game is one of four contests on this year's schedule that is already known (Aug. 30 at 8 PM in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on ESPN.) While it's not the ideal timing on the schedule for a game of this magnitude, the Crimson Tide are still building under second-year head coach Nick Saban. In addition, a loss here would have no impact on the conference race, and there's still plenty of time to rebuild your ranking after the fact. Of course, a win sends the already high expectations for next season through the roof.

GAME TWO: THE CITADEL*
Sept 6, 2008

Defending the high-flying passing attack of the Bulldogs is no easy task- just ask the Wisconsin Badgers who were tied at 21 with The Citadel early last season. Despite this, you'd rather play a FCS opponent at home the week after playing Alabama than have to go on the road to face a team like ... Boston College. Good thing this one is already firmed up.

GAME THREE: AT FLORIDA STATE
Sept 13, 2008

Why the Seminoles so early? Simple. Because as many as 25 players (the exact number varies pending on which report you read) have been suspended for the first three games of the 2008 season. You know the ACC schedule makers won't do it, but if there is an ideal time to play these guys, this would be it. Suspensions or not, FSU is nowhere near what it was earlier in this decade.

GAME FOUR: S.C. STATE*
Sept 20, 2008

Like the Sept. 6 matchup with The Citadel, this game is already in place on Clemson's 2008 schedule. Coming off what will be a not-so-easy task of beating FSU on the road, the Bulldogs offer a test, but somewhat of a break before heading back into conference play.

GAME FIVE: DUKE
Sept 27, 2008

One more cupcake before things get interesting the following week in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Fred Goldsmith, Ted Roof, David Cutcliffe. It doesn't mattter, Duke is Duke. It won't be close.

GAME SIX: AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Oct 4, 2008

It seems like every year the Tigers catch Boston College at the beginning or end of a brutal stretch of the schedule. In 2005 it was one week after a triple overtime loss to Miami. In 2006 it was the week before traveling to Florida State. Last year it was the week after Wake Forest and the week before South Carolina (okay so maybe that wasn't so brutal but you get the picture). Sandwiched in between Duke and open date would be the best option when facing a team with a physical style of play like B.C.

OPEN DATE I
Oct. 11, 2008

Get two of the four toughest road games done before the off week before healing up for a run at the ACC.

GAME SEVEN: N.C. STATE
Oct. 18, 2008

Tom O'Brien-coached teams tend to play their best football at the end of the year. N.C. State will be an improved club in 2008, but still building during the early part of the season. Better to get this game out of the way now than wait any longer.

GAME EIGHT: AT WAKE FOREST
Oct. 25, 2008

The Deacons aren't going anywhere but up under Jim Grobe. This game will be tough no matter where you put it on the schedule. We will put it in week nine in between home games with the Wolfpack and the Terps.

GAME NINE: MARYLAND
Nov. 1, 2008

Maryland still isn't a good team but an upset loss at home to the Terps in 2006 is still a painful reminder for Clemson fans.

GAME 10: AT VIRGINIA
Nov. 8, 2008

Clemson hasn't played the Cavs in football since 2004 and after looking at what Virginia did this past year, who knows what to expect in 2008? Remember, Virginia was pounded by Wyoming to open the season before winning nine of its next 10 games. Save this game until the end of the schedule so you at least know what you are dealing with.

GAME 11: GEORGIA TECH
Nov. 15, 2008

No more Gailey. No more Tenuta. It's a home game. This one should be nearly as tough as the last two meetings in Atlanta. A good time to play the Yellow Jackets with the second open date of the season before facing the Gamecocks.

OPEN DATE II

Nov. 22, 2008
Again, another week to rest up before facing archrival South Carolina.

GAME 12: SOUTH CAROLINA*
Nov. 29, 2008

Coming off an open date should allow the season long bumps and bruises to heal. This game will always be at the end of the schedule so there's really no room for debate.

* denotes pre-determined game date

Keep in mind no schedule is perfect. Playing in a major conference in the FBS will leave a head coach with a stretch of games hd like to change in some way. Have a better schedule in mind? Let's hear it! Post your responses below!

Big Time Basketball

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:43:00 +0000

While the bowl game is still fresh on the minds of most Clemson fans, another enormous game sits directly on the horizon. And no I'm not talking about a match up with Alabama next year in the Georgia Dome to open to the 2008 football season nor the upcoming spring game.

I'm talking about basketball. Big time basketball.

Sunday night at Littlejohn Coliseum, the No. 1-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels will invade Littlejohn Coliseum to take on No. 19 Clemson at 7:30 for a nationally televised contest that will serve as a measuring stick for how far this program has come in Purnell's five years as the Tigers' head coach.

It's a chance for Clemson to return to it's basketball roots, so to speak.

Bare with me for a moment while I explain what I mean.

One of the running jokes I have with members of the media is that when I was in school at Clemson in the mid-1990's, Clemson was actually a basketball school. Of course I always get a couple of strange looks when I say that because if Clemson is known for anything the last 25 years- it's football much more than basketball.

Believe me, I understand that better than anyone.

However, from 1995 through 1997, the pinnacle of my academic career in Tigertown, Clemson was much better on the hardwood than the gridiron.

Rick Barnes arrived on the scene in 1994 and molded a team which was picked last in the league by the media and would later be deemed the "slab-five" into an NIT team in his very first season.

The following season, the Tigers' sported a roster that was full of freshmen and sophomores with no seniors. None the less, the team matured quickly enough to win 17 regular-season games. Greg Buckner then slammed away the North Carolina Tar Heels with a game-winning dunk in the first round of the ACC Tournament with 0.6 seconds remaining to help secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

From one of the worst teams in the ACC to one of the best in a matter of 18 months, Barnes put Clemson basketball on the map in a very big way.

The following year Clemson opened the season with a monumental win over defending National Champion and No. 3 ranked Kentucky in the Hoosier Dome. The largest crowd (32,400) to ever see the Tigers play basketball witnessed a thrilling overtime win that placed Clemson basketball on the national scene for the next two seasons.

Two months later, the 16-1 Tigers, now ranked No. 2 in the nation by the Associated Press, were set to take on No. 4 Wake Forest, who was led by the future No. 1 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft Tim Duncan.

On a chilly January night before a national television audience, a capacity crowd of 11,020 packed Littlejohn to provide one of the most electric atmospheres I've ever seen.

While Littlejohn Coliseum is an eighth the size of Death Valley, it was the loudest I've ever heard any sporting event at Clemson- or anywhere for that matter.

The Tigers would go on to lose the game by three points, that night was concrete proof that the students, alumni and fans of Clemson University will get behind the basketball program with just as much passion as it does football.

It was big time basketball.

After the loss to Wake, the Tigers would advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Minnesota in double overtime in one of the greatest college basketball games I've ever seen. Sure, the end of the year was somewhat disappointing, especially to lose a game that was there for the taking, but the journey to get there was unforgetaable, and the Wake Forest game in particular still reminds me of how Clemson fans can feel about their basketball program.

The same type of atmosphere should be expected Sunday night against the No. 1 Tar Heels.

No, the Tigers are not ranked as high as they were 12 years ago, but a No. 19 Clemson team playing the No. 1 team in the country on national television deserves the same sort of treatment from the fans as that 1997 tilt against Wake Forest.

Especially this team.

Remember, this isn't a squad that has eaten up non-conference cream puffs on the way to an over-inflated 12-1 record. This team has actually been tested by respectable competition- including at Alabama, at Mississippi State, Old Dominion, Purdue and DePaul.

This isn't the same team that took the floor last season against No. 4 North Carolina in Littlejohn. That team shot 34 percent from the field, including 4-of-19 from 3-point range and 5-of-19 from the free throw line. This is a team that makes better decisions, shoots better from the floor and the line and can also defend you the full length of the court with every player that sees significant playing time.

This is a team that has as good a chance to get to the Sweet 16 as that 1997 team did.

And now comes the ultimate test against the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.

"Certainly the fact that North Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the country provides added significance but this will provide a measuring stick of where we are," head coach Oliver Purnell. "We will certainly go into the game feeling like we can win and feeling like we are playing well."

Note to Clemson fans: Purnell isn't joking.

While the Tigers will be underdogs to the No. 1 ranked team in the country, even at home, this is a winnable game and it certainly has the possibility of becoming a statement game should the Tigers beat UNC. And the good news is Clemson appears to be playing its best basketball of the season coming off a 26-point road win at Alabama, the largest win by an opposing team on the Crimson Tide's home floor in over seven years.

"We are playing well right now," Purnell said. "Maybe as well as we've been playing all year."

North Carolina is still North Carolina.

But Clemson is no longer the Clemson of old.

Yes indeed this is big time basketball. And it starts Sunday night against the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.

Are you ready?

All I Want for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:52:00 +0000

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.

Top 5 Recent Clemson-Carolina Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:14:00 +0000

#5. CORY BOYD'S FUMBLE - 2004
While most fans will remember Clemson's 29-7 win over South Carolina in 2004 as the year of the brawl, only a select few will likely recall Cory Boyd taunting the student section in Death Valley for nearly a minute right before he received the ball on the opening kickoff. After catching the ball near the goal line, Boyd advanced to the 9-yard line before he was blasted by linebacker David Dunham. The hit resulted in a fumble that was quickly recovered by Steven Jackson. It only took the Tigers two plays to score and move ahead 7-0 52 seconds into the game. Boyd finished the game with just five rushes for 19 yards but did score South Carolina's only touchdown on a 54 yard reception from Syvelle Newton.

#4. JOCK MCKISSIC INTERCEPTION RETURN - 2006
It's hard to imagine a bigger play than this one during the decade. With the game tied at 14-14 shortly before halftime and South Carolina driving deep in Clemson territory, Blake Mitchell stepped back to pass only to have his throw deflected at the line of scrimmage. The ball fell into the hands of 6-6 300 pound defensive tackle Jock McKissic. McKissic ran as fast as he could towards the other end zone, scoring just as South Carolina wide receiver Kenny McKinley attempted to tackle him on the goal line with eight seconds left in the first half. The play gave Clemson all the momentum in the world headed into halftime but it wouldn't be enough to get the win as the Gamecocks rallied from 14 down in the second half to beat the Tigers, 31-28.

#3. CHANSI STUCKEY TOUCHDOWN - 2003
South Carolina had hoped to redeem a fading 2003 season against the Tigers and were actually listed as slight favorites earlier in the week. Instead, the Gamecocks surrendered the most points ever in the rivalry since the Tigers 51-0 win in 1900 in 63-17 romp on national television. Then Clemson quarterback Chansi Stuckey rushed on the right side for 33-yard touchdown as the Tigers put the finishing touches the 46-point blowout on a cold November night. It would be the last in a series of long scoring plays for the Tigers that night, including a 36-yard Derrick Hamilton TD reception, an Airese Currie 28-yard touchdown reception, a 39-yard Ben Hall touchdown catch and a 27-yard scoring pass to Duane Coleman. (all from Charlie Whitehurst). Stuckey's touchdown run came before a nearly empty Williams-Brice.

Empty with the exception of the 10,000 Clemson fans still left in the stands.

#2. FIRST DOWN CHARLIE - 2005
Two years after the 63-17 drubbing, the Tigers returned to Columbia to face the 19th-ranked Gamecocks in Steve Spurrier's first taste of the Palmetto state rivalry. After the Tigers took a 13-9 lead with just under six minutes left in the game, Clemson took control of the ball needing only a first down to secure the win. Facing a third-and-9 at the 50 with time winding down, Charlie Whitehurst ran a quarterback draw for 10 yards to seal the deal. The win gave Whitehurst a perfect 4-0 record against South Carolina, making him the only quarterback to post four wins versus no defeats in the history of the rivalry. “I knew if I could just get past the line of scrimmage, I’d have a great chance to make the first down,” Whitehurst said afterwards. “The line did good and blocked every gap and it just worked out great.”

It worked out great for Clemson fans as well as the Tigers won their fourth in a row in the series.

#1. 1ST AND 35 - 2005
Before Whitehurst's run in 2005, trailing 9-6 in the fourth quarter and after two consecutive penalties, the Tigers were faced a first-and-35 from their own 22. It looked as though South Carolina was in control of the game until a series of plays changed everything. The first play was a nine-yard pass to tailback James Davis to set up a second-and-26 from the 31. Next came a 14-yard pass to Chansi Stuckey to make it third-and-12 at the 45. On third down, Whitehurst took the snap and hit Curtis Baham on an out route for a gain of 28 yards to spot it at the South Carolina 27. After a 23-yard burst by James Davis straight up the middle set the Tigers up with a first-and-goal from the four, it took three plays for Davis to score from two yards out to give Clemson a 13-9 lead. It would be a lead the Tigers would never relinquish and a drive Clemson fans will never forget.

This is Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:44:00 +0000

For a moment Saturday afternoon, Clemson football was exactly how it should be. In fact for a moment Saturday afternooon, Clemson and Wake Forest were the teams many fans remembered from years past. The years in which Clemson rolled up a 32-7 home record or the years it scored 55 and 82 points against the Deacs.

On this day the Tigers got off to fast start, rolling up the points along the way and and using a punishing defense capable of playing with any team in the country to pound Wake Forest into submission.

The crowd was as loud as its been all season and there was even a certain amount of intimidation in the air.

Simply put, with an Atlantic Division championship at stake and the defending ACC champs coming to Death Valley, the Tigers were the better team from start to finish in all phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

It was almost as if the team was telling hapless Wake Forest, "You're not coming into our house with those players and beating us with a conference championship on the line."

QB Cullen Harper was as perfect as he's been all season, completely 27-of-35 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. And not surprisingly, he threw zero interceptions.

The defense intercepted last year's ACC Rookie of the Year QB Riley Skinner once, sacked him five times, recorded 10 tackles for loss and limited the Deacs to just 83 yards rushing and 10 points.

Even the much-maligned special teams, which have been solid the last four games, rose to the challenge by containing the league's top kick returner in Kevin Marion and added in a 90 yard kickoff return by C.J. Spiller for a score just for good measure.

Yes, for the first time in a long time, everything was right with Clemson football.

And you know what?

More than anything else, Saturday's game was fun. A lot of fun.

Pounding a team that has given you problems in every year since 2001 is fun. Winning four games in a row is fun. And most importantly, having a meaningful conference game this late in November and winning that game is the most fun of all.

And you know what else? This coming week leading up to the Boston College game will be just as fun.

As Clemson fans discuss the X's and O's on Internet message boards and sports talk radio and try to determine what needs to happen to lift the Tigers past Boston College, many will quietly be making reservations in Jacksonville for the weekend of Dec. 1, hoping for the opportunity to watch Clemson compete for its first ACC title since 1991.

Too many times fans get caught up in the week to week trails and tribulations of this football program and lose focus that this is supposed to be something that is actually fun. A break away from the real world. A chance to put your problems behind you and enjoy three hours of good old fashion college football.

Of course, it's always more fun when you win and after winning their last four games, the Tigers seem to have that aspect of the game mastered as well as any team in the ACC.

While Saturday against Boston College will certainly be no walk in the park (then it again it might if the last two weeks are any indication of what to expect), I'm going to take a moment and soak it all in.

The attitude and excitement of the players.

The overall atmosphere around campus.

The chance to compete for an ACC Championship.

Even the mindless postings of anonymous Internet "experts" who seemingly have the game, the season and this program all figured out.

Yes indeed, this is fun.

And I advise all of you to try and have just as much fun as I am.

Updated ACC Rankings

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:02:00 +0000

1. No. 11 BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0, 3-0)
The Eagles have established they have the best quarterback in the league and one of the best in the country in Matt Ryan. Three cupcakes are on the schedule next in Massachusetts, Bowling Green and at Notre Dame before things get interesting. Boston College should be 7-0 traveling to Blacksburg, Va. for a Thursday night game on Oct. 25. This team is clearly worthy of a top 10 ranking as "Jags" has them rolling in Chestnut Hill.

2. No. 13 CLEMSON (4-0, 2-0)
QB Cullen Harper is making believers out of Clemson fans after throwing 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four games as a starter. The competition gets tougher the next two weeks at Georgia Tech and at home against Virginia Tech. The Tigers and Eagles appear to be headed towards an Atlantic Division showdown in Death Valley on Nov. 17 but much work needs to be done on both teams before that talk becomes legitimate ... and don't sleep on Wake Forest.

3. No. 14 VIRGINIA TECH (3-1, 0-0)
The Hokies finally emerged from their earlier season slump in jumping out to a 44-3 halftime lead over William & Mary. The question remains: how good is QB Tyrod Taylor? He'll need to be good in a hurry on Oct. 6 if Tech plans on beating Clemson. This is still a team that could win the ACC and finish among the top 10 teams in America this year. Yes, LSU is that good.

4. MIAMI (3-1, 0-0)
The Hurricanes jump up our rankings after an impressive spanking of Texas A&M last Thursday night. For the first time in his college career, QB Kyle Wright looked like the five-star prospect he was coming out of high school. While there are still holes, this is starting to look like an eight win team that could be worthy of top 25 consideration. The next two weeks will help build confidence as the 'Canes face off with cellar-dwellars Duke and North Carolina.

5. FLORIDA STATE (2-1, 0-1)
After a close loss to Clemson, the 'Noles have figured out a way to win their next two games. A semi-home game this weekend in Jacksonville against Alabama will tell us a lot about this team and its direction for the year. The bad news is LB Geno Hayes and FB Joe Surratt have been suspended after a bar room fight this weekend and the upcoming schedule is extremely difficult the second half of the season: at Wake, at B.C., at Virginia Tech and at Florida- ouch.

6. VIRGINIA (3-1, 3-0)
After getting romped on the road by Wyoming in their season opener, the Cavs find themselves in the driver's seat of the Coastal Division with a 3-0 league record. QB Jameel Sewell still appears shaky, but he is coming off his best game after completing 16-of-25 passes for 177 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Still, this team will have to depend on end Chris Long and the defense to keep it up. A friendly schedule the next three weeks could help pad the record (Pitt, at Middle Tenn. State, Connecticut).

7. WAKE FOREST (2-2, 1-1)
Don't sleep on the Deacs. After a miracle win against Maryland, the schedule sets up nicely with a road game at Duke, Florida State at home followed by at Navy, North Carolina and at Virginia. Don't be surprised to see Jim Grobe and company 7-2 coming to Clemson in mid-November. Riley Skinner gives this team a chance, regardless of the game or deficit - just look at what happened Saturday at Groves Stadium. Admit it, you still don't believe in this program do you?

8. GEORGIA TECH (2-2, 0-2)
After roaring out of the gates to a 2-0 start, the Yellow Jackets have come crashing back down to earth with losses to Boston College and Virginia. Injuries to Tashard Choice, James Johnson and Djay Jones have hurt but QB Taylor Bennett has also struggled putting together big plays in the passing game. An upset over Clemson Saturday would put the Jackets back on track.

9. MARYLAND (2-2, 1-1)
After Saturday's demise in Winston-Salem, the Terps are well on their way to the bottom of the Atlantic Division where they belong. This team has no offense and will continue to be exposed throughout the 2007 season. The next three games against Rutgers (away), Georgia Tech (home) and Virginia (home) will all be losses. Too bad old Ralph can't schedule Florida International and Villanova every week.

10. N.C. STATE (1-3, 0-2)
The transition from Chuck Amato to Tom O'Brien will have more bumps on the road than previously thought. If the Wolfpack had a decent quarterback on its roster, that would quickly change. N.C. State is looking 4-8 squarely in the face.

11. DUKE (1-3, 0-1)
The Blue Devils beat Northwestern on the road and should have beaten Navy this past weekend to break the nation's longest losing streak at 22 games. We'll give the Blue Devils the edge over North Carolina ... but just barely.

12. NORTH CAROLINA (1-3, 0-1)
Face it Butch, your team isn't very good. The offense has flair, but the defense couldn't stop 0-4 Notre Dame from putting up 45.

BLOG: Ranking the ACC

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:19:00 +0000

The bad news for ACC fans is the league is down. Way down.

Through the first two weeks of the season the league has seen N.C. State lose to Central Florida, Virginia lose to Wyoming, North Carolina lose to East Carolina and Virginia Tech and Miami get romped on the road against LSU and Oklahoma respectively.

The good news is there is still a lot of football left to be played and the race to Jacksonville is as wide open as it ever will be. As it stands now, three teams have separated themselves from the rest of the league: Georgia Tech, Boston College and Clemson, who are all 2-0. Maryland is also undefeated but has looked average in wins over lowly Villanova and Florida International.

Virginia Tech, Miami and Florida State figure to make some noise in the league as well, but the Hokies and 'Canes each have a bad loss and Florida State needed to rally to beat UAB at home.

While it is still early and things can change drastically from week to week, here's a look at our ACC rankings through the first two weeks of the season:

1. GEORGIA TECH (2-0, 0-0)
After thumping Notre Dame by 30 points on the road, giving the ACC its lone quality out-of-conference win this year, Georgia Tech put up an eye-popping 69 points on Samford in week two. The Yellow Jackets defense is for real and the offense is led by one of the most underrated backs in the country in Tashard Choice. There's a reason why Tech is a seven point favorite over the second best team (Boston College) in the ACC this weekend - this team is good.

2. BOSTON COLLEGE (2-0, 2-0)
The Eagles are the only team in the ACC with two conference (and division) wins. Matt Ryan is the best quarterback in the league and could be the reason Boston College ends up winning the Atlantic Division. The new wide-open attack installed by Jeff Jagodzinski seems to be working as well after B.C. scored 38 and 37 points in its wins over defending conference champion Wake Forest and N.C. State.

3. CLEMSON (2-0, 1-0)
The Tigers took care of business at home against No. 19 Florida State and Louisiana-Monroe. QB Cullen Harper appears to be more consistent than last year's starter Will Proctor but the scary thing is running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller have yet to truly explode. Next up is Furman before two stiff road tests in Raleigh and Atlanta. The game of the year in the ACC could be Clemson/Georgia Tech on Sept. 29.

4. VIRGINIA TECH (1-1, 0-0)
The Hokies have looked less than impressive in a 10-point win over East Carolina and a 41-point massacre at the hands of No. 2 LSU. Questions on the offensive and defensive lines persist, as well as at quarterback where Sean Glennon looks shaky and back-up Tyrod Taylor is very young. Still, the Hokies come in No. 4 on our list because nobody else in the league has done anything else to warrant being ranked higher and the defense can still be downright nasty.

5. MIAMI (1-1, 0-0)
This is where our rankings start to get sad. Miami, the same team that lost by 38 points at Oklahoma this weekend, comes in at No. 5. We'll give Oklahoma the benefit of the doubt and assume the Sooners are a legitimate top 5 team and look at the 'Canes romp over Marshall in the season opener to say there is hope in Coral Gables. This team will find a way to win eight games this season.

6. FLORIDA STATE (1-1, 0-1)
The Seminoles will likely move up this list by the end of the year, but after trailing UAB by 14 points in the first half at home this past weekend, this team needs to show improvement in a hurry. Florida State goes out of conference this weekend to Boulder, Colo. in another semi-important out-of-conference game for the ACC.

7. MARYLAND (2-0, 0-0)
Sure, the Terps are undefeated but look at the competition - Villanova and Florida International. How many years in a row can Maryland schedule cupcakes and fail to look impressive in beating those cupcakes? Jordan Steffy may be the worst quarterback in a league that lacks talent at quarterback. Upcoming games against West Virginia, Wake Forest, Rutgers and Georgia Tech will expose just how bad this team is.

8. WAKE FOREST (0-2, 0-1)
The Deacs gave Boston College and Nebraska all they could handle before falling in the fourth quarter. Still, this looks more like a team that will play a lot of close games and lose, especially if QB Riley Skinner isn't on the field. While Wake is still a scary team to play, this will be the season Jim Grobe and company come crashing back down to reality.

9. VIRGINIA (1-1, 1-0)
Yeah, this is the team lost by 17 points to Wyoming and then "coasted" to an 11-point home win over Duke. The defense is good, but the offense is horrible. Good thing the Cavs play in the same division as North Carolina and Duke.

10. N.C. STATE (0-2, 0-1)
The Pack may not be as bad as you think, especially when you consider they turned the ball over seven times against Boston College and were still very competitive. Questions at quarterback persist and now the injuries at running back could have this team begging for mercy by the end of the season. Tom O'Brien should upset a team or two along the way, but not until the end of the season.

11. NORTH CAROLINA(1-1, 0-1)
Give Butch Davis credit, had John Bunting still been coaching in Chapel Hill the Heels would have lost to Football Subdivision power James Madison in the season opener. Instead, North Carolina won by 23. Of course, this week's loss to East Carolina is another stain for the ACC, but that's another story. QB T.J. Yates has been a pleasant surprise.

12. DUKE(0-2, 0-1)
How much longer can Ted Roof last if his team fails to win another game this year? After the Blue Devils were pounded by Connecticut 45-14, they put together a more respectable performance against Virginia. But that was Virginia.

5 Worst ACC Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:52:00 +0000

Let's be honest, the ACC has several traditions that are as good as you'll find in college football.

There is Clemson's Running Down the Hill. There is Florida State and Chief Osceola.
There is the Ramblin Wreck that literally was wrecked earlier this year. Virginia Tech's Enter Sandman entrance isn't too bad.

But there's also some bad ones. Really ones. For instance do you really fear that stupid turtle in College Park, Md.? What about piping in crowd noise for some of the smaller stadiums in the league? Is that even legal?

Of course, we here at CUTigers.com are ready to rank those "bad ones" in another edition of our preseason blog:

#5. DUKE'S LACK OF ATTENDANCE POLICY
- Wallace-Wade Stadium is anything but intimidating, but the lack of interest in Duke football makes a Saturday trip to Durham downright boring. In the grand scheme of things, this should go down as the worst tradition in the ACC, but so few people care, it comes in No. 5 on our list. By the way, Duke ranked 91st in the country in football attendance last season, averaging just over 19,000 fans per game. Poor Ted Roof.

#4. THE WOLF SYMBOL FROM N.C. STATE FANS
- How can a grown man feel comfortable touching his thumb to his two middle fingers while extending his outer two fingers straight up in the air to show support for his school? Here's a thought: he shouldn't. Yeah, N.C. State fans, we get it. It's supposed to look like a wolf. Great. The problem is you look like a 5-year old every single time you do it. Honestly, look in the mirror and try to tell yourself it's cool to make the little wolfie symbol with your hand. How awful.

3. FLORIDA STATE BAND PLAYING THE OPPOSITION'S FIGHT SONG
- Imagine yourself in the sweltering heat of Doak Campbell Stadium on a late September afternoon. Right before Florida State enters the field via one of the best entrances in all of college football, led by Chief Osceola and his flaming spear of death, the FSU Marching Chiefs have the decency to play your own team's fight song instead of their own. This isn't tiddlywinks. It's college football! Play your own damn song and get off the field.

#2.BOSTON COLLEGE PUMPING IN A RHYTHMIC BEAT THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM
- Chances are most fans reading this haven't made the trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. just yet. That's okay. However, if you are one of the few that's travelled the 1,000 miles north then you immediately know what I'm talking about and need no further explanation. For starters, know that Alumi Stadium, which is tucked away approximately 15-20 miles away from downtown Boston, seats only 44,500 people. So, to create the illusion of more noise from such a small crowd, some genius decided it would be cool to play an uptempo drum beat through every loudspeaker in facility the ENTIRE GAME. It's not annoying, it's way beyond that. If anything it's sad because the fans in Boston just don't care enough about B.C. to get into the game without the aid of such nonsense.

#1. FEAR THE TURTLE
Say what? Fear what? A turtle? The same creature that tucks its head away in its protective shell when provoked? It's a bad slogan to begin with, but having the football team rub a statue of a turtle as they emerge from the locker room at Chevy Chase Credit Card Bank of America Loan Payoff Stadium before kickoff is even worse. And no, they don't touch the shell of the turtle, they touch the very top of the nose. Oh and by the way, this has nothing to do with the fact Maryland has the worst fans in the league. Nothing.

Who is Mark May Anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:44:00 +0000

When I first learned Clemson running back C.J. Spiller would be on ESPN's new College Football Live show Wednesday, I eagerly tuned in to see what the sophomore running back had to say.

Sure, I'll be the first to admit I didn't expect anything truly "new" to come out of an interview with a national media outlet such as ESPN, and of course, I was right. After all, what additional insight could a three-person show offer that hasn't discussed ad nauseum here on this web site months ago?

Still, I was looking forward to hearing what kind of questions would be asked, and I was also looking forward to what the "outside world" thought of Spiller, James Davis and Clemson football in general entering the 2007 season.

Not surprisingly, the "dynamic tandem" of former college players who had varying degrees of success in the NFL in Robert Smith, (Ohio State, Minnesota Vikings) and Mark May, (Pitt, Washington Redskins), left much to be desired with their analysis.

May, who you've probably heard by now, busted in with a bold prediction of Clemson finishing the 2007 season 6-6. That's right, 6-6.

Let me go on the record to say first, Mark I have no problem with that whatsoever. You are paid by ESPN to give your opinion on college football.

Bravo.

But let me also say this, Mark, give me some kind of respectable analysis to back up your "bold prediction."

Go ahead and take a stand, but then back up your claim with statistics that matter. Give me some facts. Don't tell me Clemson will lose to Florida State, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and N.C. State without some sort of reasoning.

You are paid to give your opinion, but it also needs to be an informed one. Isn't that what the "worldwide leader in sports" demands anyway?

At least get his name right when you are talking about the kid on the show.

It's Spiller, Mark, not Smiller.

And did you suggest Oklahoma's backfield better than Clemson's this season? No offense Bob Stoops, but I'll go ahead and tell you the Sooners' combination of Scrubby McScrubberson and No-Adrian Peterson would ride the pine while Thunder and Lightning opened up their respective cans of you-know-what on the field.

Give me a break.

Having covered this football program the last five years, I guess I still live under the bizarro impression that I can tune into a national college football show and learn something new about the team and the conference I cover.

The reality is - nothing could be further from the truth.

These shows seem to be put together at the last minute and are nothing more than a hodgepodge of former players and hosts who couldn't care less about the information they provide to the general public. Sure, it's probably good for the Southern Californias, Ohio States and Floridas of the world. It's easy to talk about the incredible run those programs have been on recently. When in doubt on what to say, just talk about the 17 five-star prospects stockpiled at running back and how college football needs a playoff so that it can "be settled on the field."

Most of these shows turn into a Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer-love fest anyway.

Having watched Mark May for the last however-many years, I find it annoying that someone who seemingly knows so little about today's players and teams could sit in a chair and pretend to discuss college football on a semi-intelligent level.

And while we're talking about it, bring back Trev Alberts. Bring back somebody who has an opinion, knows his stuff and also knows how to present information in a way that makes sense.

Alberts did something hardly a soul I know would ever do - he left the biggest sports network in the world because he felt like he was the "support crew" for the wildly popular show, College Gameday, featuring Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.

He took a stand and always said what he believed and then backed it up with the kind talk that would make you want to go slap your own mother if you had to.

Mark May makes me want to go slap myself for watching such garbage. Who is this guy anyway? Just because he has his own page on Wikipedia and ESPN has chosen to throw him up there to tell me South Florida is going to the BCS I should believe him?

Absolutely ... not.

Hey, I like the concept of a daily college football show starting in August. I really do.

It's just disappointing and embarrassing when the on-air-talent fails so miserably to convince me they know what they are talking about.

10 Preseason Camp Comments

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:07:00 +0000

10. I'll be the first to admit I believe Cullen Harper will be the starting quarterback when Clemson takes the field against Florida State on Sept. 3. I'll also be the first to admit I think Willy Korn will play in the first half of that very same game. However, I was somewhat surprised to learn that the only jerseys that could be purchased in downtown Clemson this past weekend were replicas of James Davis, C.J. Spiller and ... you guessed it, Willy Korn. Where's the love for Cullen?

9. Watching the team exit from practice the past two days, it's easy to see there is a sense of excitement among the players. Of course, they haven't put on pads yet either. It's always easy to interview with a defensive lineman or a linebacker after the first two days of preseason camp. However it's not so easy during two-a-days.

8. The freshmen look anything like freshmen. Talk to anybody "inside" the program. Talk to the players. Talk to Tommy Bowden. All of them will tell you the incoming freshman class looks like a bunch of sophomores and juniors. These kids have been in the weight room and they all have benefited from being in Joey Batson's strength program during the second summer session.

7. Say what you want, but we haven't truly learned an extensive amount of NEW information after the first two practice sessions. In fact, the only thing we've learned is five walk-ons have been awarded scholarships, special teams have been an early emphasis and it's HOT. Without the pads, there's only so much you can accomplish.

6. James Davis is a leader. Watch him walk on the field. Watch him leave the field. He's always one of the most animated players on the team. But unlike others, people listen to J.D.

5. The freshmen defensive linemen - particularly Miguel Chavis, Rennie Moore and Jarvis Jenkins look like they could play TODAY. I'm not saying they will, I'm just saying - from a physical perspective, these kids look downright mean.

4. Mark Buchholz will kick, Richard Jackson will punt. Call it an early hunch, but some of the returns coming out of the first two practices suggest this could be who we see handling the Tigers kicking situation on Sept. 3. Still a long ways to go, obviously.

3. Clay will be ready. Watching Antonio Clay talk Saturday afternoon leaves me to believe he'll be ready Sept. 3. He's already lost close to 20 pounds since reporting back to school and it won't take much longer for him to get back into "football shape."

2. Talking to more players over the last two days, it seems as though the guys are somewhat embarrassed with how last year ended. It would be an understatement to write this team is ready to put last year behind it.

1. The most important aspect of the first two practices thus far has to be no injuries. Knock on wood, but so far so good on the injury front.

Coach Speak 101

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:41:00 +0000

With the start of fall practice just 48 hours away, it's time to take a closer look at what really matters most ... you know ... "coach speak."

"Coach speak" is the generic answer to a question that is likely asked 10,000 times over the course of a coaching year. For example, the following questions would be a good example of what would prompt "coach speak."

"Coach, your schedule sets up for you very nicely this year. Would you rather open with a nationally ranked opponent or a team that's not expected to be very good?"

"Coach, how important is senior leadership to this year's team?"

"Coach, what are your goals for two-a-days?

Don't get me wrong, coach speak is absolutely necessary. There are only so many different ways you can ask a coach how the second team right tackle is doing against the third team defensive end. At some point, a coach has to be able to dip into his bag of generic answers and cliches to provide the media with something worth-while to print.

"Coach speak" is also something that is heard all the time. From press conferences to offseason booster club meetings, every coach has his own style of delivering coach speak.

Some do it with complete seriousness. (N.C. State's Tom O'Brien)

Some do it with humor. (Tommy Bowden)

Others do it by being uncomfortably abrupt. (Steve Spurrier)

"Coach speak" is nothing short of coach speak. Some times it has meaning. Most of the time, however, it doesn't.

With that being said, here are the top 10 things you can expect to hear during the first week of fall practice. Not just at Clemson. Not just at South Carolina. Not just in the ACC ... everywhere:

10. COACH SPEAK ON CONDITIONING: "This is the best condition we've ever been in as a football team. Our offseason workouts have gone as well as they've ever had. Our strength and conditioning coaches have really done an outstanding job."

9. COACH SPEAK ON DEFENSE: "Right now our defense is a little ahead of the offense, which is what you expect this time of year. We had guys flying around the ball out there today. Of course, that's what you want to see during the first week of practice. It's what you expect."

8. COACH SPEAK ON ONE GAME AT A TIME: "We can't go looking ahead to our conference schedule. We can't take [INSERT TYPICAL SEASON-OPENER-CREAM-PUFF HERE] for granted. They return a lot of experienced starters this year. We absolutely have to take it one game at a time."

7. COACH SPEAK ON THE RUNNING GAME: "We have to be able to run the ball better this year and we have to be able to stop the run. That's going to be one of our biggest keys if we want to win the conference."

6. COACH SPEAK ON TURNOVERS: "We've really put an emphasis on creating more turnovers this year. We need to gang tackle and fly around the football."

5. COACH SPEAK ON SPECIAL TEAMS: "We've got to get better on special teams. Last season that really hurt us in a couple of games and we can do better. We've put in some new schemes and personnel which will hopefully make a difference."

4. COACH SPEAK ON EXPECTATIONS: "We've got a chance to be a better football team this year and that's going to be the thing I'm looking for the most ... improvement. From week to week I expect this football team to improve. As long as we do that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves."

3. COACH SPEAK ON TOUGHNESS: "I really challenged our football team today. We had a lackluster morning practice so I told them we were going to come out in the afternoon and HIT. And that's what we did. We have to be tougher as a football team if we expect to compete for a conference championship."

2. COACH SPEAK ON JOB SECURITY: "When you take a job like this you are always on the hotseat. You know that coming in. That's the nature of the profession. People expect you to win and win now so I'm used to it."

1. COACH SPEAK ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP: "You have to have guys step up in terms of leadership. We have to have guys who are going to be accountable. I think we have a good group of senior leaders on this team."

So remember, when you hear comments like what you've just read, it's really just coach speak. It doesn't mean your team is great. It doesn't mean your team is sorry. It doesn't mean there are more questions than what you thought entering fall practice.

It's just coach speak.

The Next Step

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:14:00 +0000

One of the popular topics of discussion this time of year has to do with the proverbial hot seat.

Who's on it? Who's off it? You've likely had the discussion around the water cooler yourself. We've had in on our message boards here at CUTigers.com and also on our morning show on 104.9 FM The Drive.

Many national publications have chosen to list Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden on the hot seat, claiming he's done less with more talent than any coach this side of the Mississippi.

And while it's easy to jump on that bandwagon, I think it is important to point out Bowden has maintained a very specific level of above average performance on the football entering his ninth seasons.

Note I said, "above average."

He's led the Tigers to bowl eligibility in each of his eight seasons as head coach. No other Clemson coach has ever done that. He's beaten nationally ranked powers Florida State (three of the last four years), Texas A&M, Miami, Tennessee and Colorado.

He's also had strange losses to Wake Forest and Duke and narrowly missed playing in the ACC Championship game in both 2005 and '06.

Strictly talking about on-the-field results- it hasn't been great, but it hasn't been bad either.

Off the field, Bowden has helped lead the program back to respectability from a facilities standpoint while also greatly improving its recruiting efforts, especially the last three years.

In summary, one could argue Bowden has actually brought the program back to where it hasn't been in nearly 15 years.

That’s right.

The talent on this team is as great as it's been since the early days of ~gasp~ Ken Hatfield (with Danny Ford’s recruits mind you). The speed on this team is reminiscent of the late 1980’s. The facilities are once again moving towards the top of the conference.

Maybe many of the fans reading this blog don't remember, but it's been a while since the Tigers have been in the position they are in right now- having the combination of talent, facilities and coaching all in place at the same time. Even the schedule sets up nicely- with the four toughest games (FSU, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Wake Forest) all at home.

And with the talent returning this year, even with concerns at quarterback and possibly the offensive line, this team has the capability to at least get to the ACC championship game.

And to me, that is the next step for this football program: getting to Jacksonville.

Playing in the ACC Championship game.

Competing for a BCS bid.

Notice I didn't even say, "win the ACC." I'm talking about just getting there.

Think about it like this: since Dec. 1998, the first month Tommy Bowden was the coach at Clemson, he has improved recruiting. He has helped improve facilities. He has owned his arch-rival (winning six out of eight games). He has also stockpiled talent and put together a coaching staff that is more than capable of leading this program back to the top of the conference, if not higher.

If you are looking for the very next step this program has to take to show improvement- that is it. Get to the championship game. Compete for the opportunity to play in the BCS.

Sure, I'll be the first to admit Jacksonville in December doesn't get me all that excited. But Jacksonville in December getting ready to cover the ACC Championship game against Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech or Miami has some juice behind it, especially when you consider Clemson hasn’t won an ACC Championship since 1991. That’s right – 16 years.

Just get there.

Only a handful of points have separated Clemson from this "next step" the last two seasons. Now is the time to get there. Now is the time to take the next step.

2007 DL Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:22:00 +0000

In looking at Clemson's defensive line entering the start of fall practice it's hard not to get excited. Even after losing last year's ACC Defensive Player of the Year in end Gaines Adams, this year's front four has the chance to be just as productive if not more so than last season's group.

That's not to suggest there isn't room for improvement, because there is, but certainly enough returning talent exists for his unit to become something very special.

Keep in mind, it will be important for Clemson's front seven to get more pressure on the quarterback this year. While Adams was effective doing so last season, there were games against Boston College, Maryland,and South Carolina where opposing quarterbacks sat in the pocket and picked the Tigers' zone scheme apart because they had all day to throw the ball.

In addition, with young corners taking over in the secondary, a strong pass rush becomes especially important.

Here's a quick look at the two-deep depth chart headed into the start of practice Saturday afternoon:

DE: Phillip Merling, Jamie Cumbie
Merling, a 6-5, 270 pound junior end is widely viewed as one of the up-and-coming players in the league and could also be poised to take over a leadership role on defense this season. Unlike Gaines Adams a year ago, Merling isn't afraid to get in your face if feels you aren't doing your job. His stats last year, which included 46 total tackles, 10 for loss and three sacks, should all increase in 2007. Sophomore Jamie Cumbie had one of the best offseasons of any defensive player on the team and should become a quality backup.

NG: Dorrell Scott, Antwon Murchison
6-3, 305 pound noseguard Dorrell Scott is one of the most underrated players on the team. A run-stuffing force in the middle, Scott returns for his junior year with plenty of experience under his belt. The staff has been hoping for more from Murchison, but he's still a redshirt sophomore.

DT: Rashaad Jackson, Jock McKissic
Tommy Bowden said Jackson was "unblockable" at times during spring practice ... what more do you need to know? True, he'll need to show that same dominance this fall, but at 6-3, 290 pounds and with his non-stop motor Jackson could be in store for a breakout year. Jock McKissic (6-6, 295) is more than a capable backup who would likely start for most teams in the league.

BE: Ricky Sapp, Kwam Williams
Sapp, a former 5-star prospect steps into the massive shoes of Gaines Adams this season. The bandit end position in defensive coordinator Vic Koenning's scheme is seemingly built for a player with his skills. He's a natural pass rusher who can also has enough speed to easily move in coverage situations. At around 245 pounds, he's also added the necessary weight to become a force rushing the passer. While he needs to prove his ability on the field this fall, Ricky Sapp's future on the field looks bright. Kwam Williams is a serviceable backup who get more playing time than many suspect considering he's a senior and he's also taken on a leadership role this offseason.

FRESHMEN: Miguel Chavis, Kourtnei Brown
The future continues to look bright on the defensive line with incoming freshmen Miguel Chavis and Kourtnei Brown, both of who could see the field this season. Chavis, who spent a year in prep school will most certainly play, while Brown, who has the physique of an upperclassman will also get a hard look. Look for Chavis to provide depth inside while Brown will likely see playing time at bandit end. Jarvis Jenkins is another candidate to play early as a tackle, pending his progress during fall practice.

2007 OL Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:08:00 +0000

Reading many national publications this offseason would lead you to believe the Tigers are breaking in five new starters on the offensive line, with all five being freshmen or sophomores.

The reality is nothing could be further from the truth.

Believe it or not, four seniors are currently penciled in as starters entering fall practice, and one of those starters is a preseason All-American in Barry Richardson.

Yes there are justified concerns, particularly at center and right tackle. And yes, many of this year's starters have primarily served as backups the last two seasons, but there is plenty of experience returning in 2007 and an influx of youth with outstanding potential.

Here's a look at Clemson's offensive line headed into August:

LEFT TACKLE: BARRY RICHARDSON, CHRIS HAIRSTON
The Tigers are solid at left tackle with likely first-round draft pick Barry Richardson returning for his senior season. It must be noted however that Richardson, a preseason All-American, must be more consistent Clemson to improve its offensive line play this year. Redshirt freshman Chris Hairston has yet to see the field but has good size at 6-6, 310 pounds. The soft-spoken Richardson must also be depended on for leadership, even though he's admitted he's more of a leader by example than anything else.

“I always want to prove myself," Richardson told CUTigers in a recent interview. "I always want to give it all. I don’t want to be that person who goes into his last year and people think I sandbagged the whole time. I’m going to go out there and play hard."

LEFT GUARD: CHRIS MCDUFFIE, BOBBY HUTCHINSON
When senior Roman Fry tore his ACL halfway through the 2006 season, Clemson's offensive line was never quite the same. While it was bad for last season, it was good for Chris McDuffie to gain valuable experience before stepping into a fulltime starting position this year. McDuffie, now a senior, has the size and ability to get the job done. However his backup, Bobby Hutchinson is largely unproven.

CENTER: BARRY HUMPHRIES, BEN RAMSEY
The center position is considered by many to be the largest question mark headed into the start of fall practice. Barry Humphries steps in for Dustin Fry, who was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in April. Humphries had a strong spring but still must prove himself this season. His backup, walk-on Ben Ramsey, beat out Hutchinson as Humphries' backup and has drawn high praise from the coaching staff. Thomas Austin could provide additional depth here if needed.

RIGHT GUARD: BRANDON PILGRIM, THOMAS AUSTIN
Senior Brandon Pilgrim has been with the program since 2003, but should be in a battle for playing time this year with redshirt sophomore Thomas Austin. Austin is viewed as one of the most talented linemen on the roster and he could overtake Pilgrim or be moved to another position to secure additional playing time. The Tigers should be fine here with an experienced veteran as the starter and a star in the making as his backup.

RIGHT TACKLE: CHRIS CAPOTE, CORY LAMBERT, LANDON WALKER
Senior Chris Capote steps into a starting role this season but will be challenged by several younger players. Capote, who stands in at 6-4, 295 pounds has 6-6, 300 pound Cory Lambert right behind him, while 6-7, 280 pound freshman Landon Walker will also compete for playing time. Right tackle is the biggest question mark entering fall practice. Capote has been a career second and third teamer and there is little experience behind him.

SUMMARY: I'm in the minority with what I'm getting ready to write, but I'll write it anyway. This year's offensive line has the potential to be better than last year's line featuring seniors Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes.

Sure, there was experienced talent returning last season, but it is important to remember this coaching staff has recruited at a high level now for the past three years. The younger players coming in have more talent than the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.

Nowhere is that evident more than the offensive line.

Thomas Austin is a future high round draft pick in the making. Barry Richardson, we know with certainty, is already a high-round draft pick next year. Barry Humphries, while still unproven, has the potential to be a good one as well. Chris McDuffie now has a handful of games of experience as a starter and should be fine. Younger players such as Landon Walker and Chris Hairston will be brought along slowly but have both size and talent.

Right tackle is still a question entering fall practice, but this unit has plenty of potential. It also helps Clemson will return two of the nation's top running backs in C.J. Spiller and James Davis.

While it may take a few games for this unit to reach its full potential, keep in mind the Tigers like to use multiple tight end sets. That means players like Akeem Robinson, Michael Palmer and Durrell Barry, all big bodies, can help out in max-protect situations.

ACC Media Days

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:10:00 +0000

Here are early thoughts from day one of ACC Media Days, live from Pinehurst, N.C.

CLEMSON NOTE: Barry Richardson has replaced James Davis as one of Clemson's representatives this year. Davis was a late scratch due to personal reasons. Phillip Merling is also here.

BEST QUOTE (PLAYER): Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice was easily the most animated player to talk to during the early afternoon session. Choice, who led the ACC in rushing a year ago, said the ACC is one of the top conferences in the country this year when it comes to the running back position.

Of course, most of the so-called experts would agree.

With Choice, Clemson's James Davis and C.J. Spiller, Virginia Tech's Branden Ore and N.C. State's Toney Baker and Andre Brown among others, the league is as deep as any in the nation.

Choice said he doesn't mind the fact he may not be the most "well-known" back of that group.

"I know James and C.J.," he said. "James is from Atlanta. I like their games. I like all their games. People will say I'm underrated. People will say I'm the sleeper back and I'm cool with that. That's what people have been telling me my whole life. But when I'm on the field when it counts, I'm one of the best out there."

Choice also said reaching the ACC Championship game last year in Jacksonville, only to come up three points short against Wake Forest has been a big motivator for him this offseason.

"That's all I think about when I work out this summer," he said. "I can't even tell you. I've been working so hard this summer to get back to that moment."

Listen to Choice discuss the ACC's top running backs, Georgia Tech's quarterback situation and more by clicking here.

ALL SMILES: Florida State running back Antone Smith is expected to carry the load this year in Jimbo Fisher's new offense in Tallahassee. Sunday, Smith had no problem flashing a golden smile whenever asked about expectations both for him and the Seminoles this year. No, that's not a misprint, Smith's smile was indeed golden. He was showcasing a mouthful of gold teeth - 13 to be exact.

HOKIE NATION COMING TOGETHER: It's understandable that the upcoming season in Blacksburg, Va. will be an emotional one after the events that unfolded in April. Naturally you can understand that the two representatives here in Pinehurst from Virginia Tech, DT Carlton Powell and OG Duane Brown, were asked dozens of questions on what they were expecting this year.

Perhaps Powell said it best when asked he thought the team would respond in their season opener Sept. 1 against East Carolina, "We are Virginia Tech. We are a close knit team with close knit players. We are close with the coaches, the students, the faculty here. It's how we are.

"But our first games are always exciting. I'm sure this year could be more emotional given what's happened."

BLUE DEVILS NEED THAT FIRST WIN: To say it's been a long time since Duke has won a meaningful football game would be a gross understatement. You have to go all the way back to 2004 when Duke last beat a Division I-A program.

Senior free safety Chris Davis said the key for his team entering the season is to pick up an early win to help build some much-needed confidence.

"You want to get that first win," he said. "The past three years we've come down to the wire in the first game and we always end up losing. Some guys will say after that, 'here we go again.' It's definitely a mental thing and a momentum thing with that first game. That's one we have to get."

The Blue Devils open their 2007 slate at home on Sept. 1 against Connecticut.

RYAN REMEMBERS: Boston College QB Matt Ryan said Sunday he remembers the Eagles' last trip to Clemson all too well.

"I've never seen so much orange my entire life," he said. "The thing I remember most about that day was that it was really hot and I also took a shot. But the most important thing about that day is that we got the win. That was a big win for B.C. because it was our first win in the conference. That was a very big win."

The "shot" Ryan is referring to is, of course, the hit from former Tiger LB David Dunham that knocked his helmet off. It is a play that is still shown on college football highlights around the country to this very day.

Boston College returns to Death Valley this season on Nov. 17.

Ryan also said he has no ill-will towards his former head coach, Tom O'Brien, who is now the head coach at division rival N.C. State.

"Coach O'Brien had to do what was best for him and his family," Ryan said. "The longer I'm in college the more I start to understand how these things work. I wish him and the coaching staff down at N.C. State all the best. I wish them the best for 11 games of the year."

The game Ryan is leaving out is the second game of the season against the Wolfpack. N.C. State travels to Chestnut Hill on Sept. 8 in what will undoubtedly be a bitter game for Boston College and its fans.

MOST OVER-ASKED QUESTION: Considering the number of people at an event like this, there's always a few questions that are asked one too many times.
After speaking with a couple of players in both sessions Sunday afternoon, the one question I heard more than any other had to do with leadership.

I can't count how many times I heard Phillip Merling asked about team leadership.

"Phillip, who are going to be the leaders on this year's team?"

"Phillip, what happened to the senior leaders during last year's 1-4 finish?"

Blah bla-blah blah.

I heard the same thing at Florida State's table. Same thing at Miami. Same thing at N.C. State.

Don't get me wrong, I understand senior leadership is important. I really do. I just wonder how important it is late in the fourth quarter, Labor Day Night, with Clemson trailing Florida State by four points facing a 4th-and-goal from the one?

PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS: I have no problems opening myself up to a little pre-season criticism. Here is what I submitted to the ACC today on my pre-season ballot:

Atlantic Division:
1. Boston College
2. Clemson
3. Florida State
4. Wake Forest
5. N.C. State
6. Maryland

Comments: When forced to predict the Atlantic Division standings, it's hard to pick any one team last. I tend to believe N.C. State will be much better this year under first-year coach Tom O'Brien, but I still have the Pack ranked fifth in the division. Many of the media members I spoke with had Boston College and Florida State near the top with Clemson typically third.

Coastal Division:
1. Virginia Tech
2. Georgia Tech
3. Miami
4. Virginia
5. North Carolina
6. Duke

Comments: The Coastal Division is more cut and dry. Virginia Tech is a notch above everyone else with Georgia Tech and Miami fighting for No. 2. Beyond those three teams, Virginia, North Carolina and Duke could easily be the three worst teams in the conference.

Player of the Year: RB Branden Ore (Virginia Tech)

Comments: I've heard arguments for Boston College QB Matt Ryan. I even heard one media member voted for C.J. Spiller. However, assuming Ore stays healthy and assuming the Hokies have quarterback issues with Sean Glennon, Ore figures to be the workhorse this season in Blacksburg.

Championship Game Winner: Virginia Tech

2007 Tight Ends Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Roy Philpott) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:12:00 +0000

With former walk-on Thomas Hunter and his 16 catches for 305 yards last season moving on to life after college football, several tight ends on the 2007 squad are in line to see their production increase exponentially.

Here’s a look at what to expect from the tight end position entering the start of fall practice:

MICHAEL PALMER – After signing with the Tigers over Virginia, Palmer surprised many by playing last season as a true freshman. Entering the start of fall practice, the 6-5, 230 pound sophomore is listed as one of the starters at tight end and figures to see a significant increase in production with Thomas Hunter moving on.

In fact, tight ends coach Billy Napier called Palmer the best of the bunch earlier this spring.

“The best player we’ve got right now is Michael Palmer,” Napier said. “He had a great off-season and put on about 15 pounds is around the 240 range. He’s moving around better already this year than last year. It just goes to show you the benefit of buying into (strength and conditioning coach) Joey Batson’s system.”

As of now, Palmer will be the starter in one-tight end sets, but will share time with Durrell Barry. With two tight ends on the field, Palmer will be at one spot, with Barry and Akeem Robinson sharing the other one. The three of them will be used in the three-tight end set.

After recording five receptions for 30 yards last season, it’s not out of the question to see that production quadruple this year.

DURRELL BARRY – If there’s a wildcard tight end on this year’s team, it’s undoubtedly Barry, who has outstanding potential but has yet to become an impact player during his two years in the program. The 6-4, 250 pound redshirt sophomore is blessed with tremendous athleticism and has shown flashes of what he can do the field, but inconsistency has held him back.

Barry finished his redshirt freshman year playing in nine games, catching two passes for 41 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown in the Music City Bowl. He hurt his back during spring practice but should be at full strength once practice begins in just over two weeks.

Keep in mind several players this offseason have hinted they feel Barry could be one of the most improved on the team. If so, look out.

AKEEM ROBINSON – Robinson arrived at Clemson three years ago with the potential to play a number of different positions, including tight end, defensive end or defensive tackle. He ended up at tight end, where he’s been used mainly in a reserve role the past two seasons. A powerful blocker, Robinson’s strengths are best utilized in run blocking situations.

A 6-foot-5, 260 pound redshirt junior, Robinson has worked on his pass-catching under Napier and could become more of an offensive weapon this season. Still, even if he fails to catch a pass, he's extremely valuable in the two and three tight end sets.

ALEX PEARSON – This 6-1, 245 pound redshirt junior has worked hard during his three years at Clemson and it finally paid off for him in 2006 as he recorded four catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns playing the fullback/H-back role in 13 games.

Pearson is an excellent role player who could actually see his production increase this season.

BRIAN LINTHICUM – A true freshman, Linthicum elected to enroll at Clemson in January in hopes of receiving playing time early in his career. If spring was any indication, he’s well on his say. At the Orange & White game in April, Linthicum caught two passes for 46 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown.

You can view that scoring play by clicking here.

Considering the number of tight ends used by the Tigers in any given game, look for Linthicum to play this season and catch 10+ passes along the way.