1051 replies to this topic

[Skyliner]

krazeeboi, on Dec 30 2006, 05:50 AM, said:

Seems like this year was a reversal from last year in terms of the bowl games.

And the season games, to some extent.

[CorgiMatt]

Like the old saying goes: The sun don't shine on the same dog's tail all the time.

[teshadoh]

Even if it was a close win over a team that no one has heard of since Warren Moon played there - it is still a big win for USC.  As for Clemson, a predictable loss - as Clemson has demonstrated ever since Bowden has coached for them, they can be near perfect for one half of the season & the next have a near total collapse.  UK wasn't a tough team to play against, but neither was USC - but it was just a matter of who wanted to win the most.

Slightly off topic - the ACC was absolutely pathetic this year.  As I'm watching WV play GA Tech, I truly hope West Virginia blows out GA Tech, just as I expect Louisville to blow out Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.

But I do hope this year's USC will be successful - especially since even the SEC is experiencing a down year.  As for Clemson, I'll be happy if Clemson plays well - but I just won't expect them to continue through the year at that pace.

[whitehourseview]

teshadoh, on Jan 1 2007, 01:24 PM, said:

Even if it was a close win over a team that no one has heard of since Warren Moon played there - it is still a big win for USC.  As for Clemson, a predictable loss - as Clemson has demonstrated ever since Bowden has coached for them, they can be near perfect for one half of the season & the next have a near total collapse.  UK wasn't a tough team to play against, but neither was USC - but it was just a matter of who wanted to win the most.

Slightly off topic - the ACC was absolutely pathetic this year.  As I'm watching WV play GA Tech, I truly hope West Virginia blows out GA Tech, just as I expect Louisville to blow out Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.

But I do hope this year's USC will be successful - especially since even the SEC is experiencing a down year.  As for Clemson, I'll be happy if Clemson plays well - but I just won't expect them to continue through the year at that pace.

Warren Moon went to Washington, Andre Ware went to Houston.

Sorta expected that the ACC was down in football this year, considering the amount of excellent seniors lost all around the league from the year before. There have been some great players and teams in the ACC, but last season probably was the best overall in regards to talent, and much of it was gone this season.

Kentucky is a good young team, probably similar to USC in talent and opportunity for growth in the SEC. USC will have improved line play next season, but will play a tougher schedule, I wouldn't be surprised if they were again in the 8-7 win range.

Under Coach Bowden, Clemson has started strong 3 times then faded 3 times, started weak 3 times, with 3 strong finishes and had about equal play two other seasons. The Music City loss was a bit surprising, especially with some fundamental player errors. Next season, Clemson senior losses should about be equally replaced with incoming players and returning players, so I expect a team in the 9 to 7 win range, just about like I expected this season. To the Tiger's favor, there really isn't a favorite for next year's ACC Atlantic division next year, no real dominating teams out there, based on returning players, and Clemson's home and away schedule will be better next year in conference.

With Clemson and USC both recruiting well and being competitive, in a small state like South Carolina, that more or less ensures that both programs will be good, but not great as long as good coaches and support exist at both schools at the same time.

Clemson's basketball team is the best in over 10 years, and a NCAA tournament bid is likely. USC has some depth problems in basketball that could hinder them. At this point, I would say that Winthrop is the second best basketball team in the state.

Both Clemson and USC should be in the top 5 nationally all year in baseball and should both be competitive for a national title, as baseball is the best sports at both schools.

[krazeeboi]

whitehourseview, on Jan 1 2007, 11:49 PM, said:

Clemson's basketball team is the best in over 10 years, and a NCAA tournament bid is likely. USC has some depth problems in basketball that could hinder them. At this point, I would say that Winthrop is the second best basketball team in the state.

We're certainly up there, as is Coastal's men's basketball program.

[teshadoh]

whitehourseview, on Jan 1 2007, 09:49 PM, said:

Warren Moon went to Washington, Andre Ware went to Houston.

Oops - you are right, I have no idea how Warren Moon got stuck in my head.  

But interesting analysis whitehorse, I had only meant to discuss football - obviously Clemson's baseball program is fantastic as it has for years.  This should be an interesting year for the basketball team I agree, especially as Clemson has made some respectable big conference wins over Minnessotta, USC & UGA.  And especially considering the ACC appears to have a slow start this year with only 2 other teams ranked nationally besides Clemson.  What is promising is that Clemson is only 7 wins away from a 20 win season - we'll see tomorrow if Clemson is going to be legitimate with their first ACC game.

[Spartan]

Baseball should be interesting this year. Clemson and Carolina are ranked 2 and 3 repectively in the preseason rankings, with Carolina trailing by only 2 points, and both teams less than 10 away from the #1 spot.

[TheSuperPope]

Well, has anyone read about this? Apparently Clemson's coach Tommy Bowden has been getting himself into a war of words about Spurrier's pay raise saying that 7 wins is good enough at USC, but at Clemson, he would get fired for that....
linky : http://blogcritics.o...1/02/092439.php
Seriously, Clemson could do better than this whiny little baby as a coach. I want to see someone in the state bring home the national title again soon, and if Carolina doesn't, I don't see Tommy doing it for Clemson.
and another linky: http://www.thestate....na/16251854.htm

Edited by TheSuperPope, 02 January 2007 - 05:18 PM.

[teshadoh]

You mean Spurrier got a pay raise just for coaching a team that won 7 games?  ...ok, I guess USC knows what they are doing.

I'm not sure how long Bowden will be at Clemson considering their inability to have a consistant season, especially this year's collapse after beating GA Tech.  Which personally, I think he should be given a few years longer - Clemson overall hasn't been terrible under him & I dislike the way colleges yank a coach prematurely.

[whitehourseview]

TheSuperPope, on Jan 2 2007, 06:15 PM, said:

Well, has anyone read about this? Apparently Clemson's coach Tommy Bowden has been getting himself into a war of words about Spurrier's pay raise saying that 7 wins is good enough at USC, but at Clemson, he would get fired for that....
linky : http://blogcritics.o...1/02/092439.php
Seriously, Clemson could do better than this whiny little baby as a coach. I want to see someone in the state bring home the national title again soon, and if Carolina doesn't, I don't see Tommy doing it for Clemson.
and another linky: http://www.thestate....na/16251854.htm

The quotes happened about 3 or 4 weeks ago, two pull away sentences from an otherwise dead time in sports reporting. The state's sports media has been chomping at the bit for over a year in hopes they could provoke a Bowden v Spurrier war of words, like the banter they could get out of Bobby Bowden and Spurrier or Spurrier and Phil Fulmer.

Other than the exchange giving a window into the personalities of the coaches, Bowden dwelling on the minutiae of details, which the state's sports media loves and hates at the same time (he gives them all the details they want and bores them with it) and Spurrier having a chip on his shoulder about himself and his program, there isn't much to it.

And if you think Bowden is a whiny little baby, go visit him during his publicized office hours for any visitor. It might give you a different impression of the man than reading the state's sports media which is dearly hungering for any kind of controversy to sell more copy.

[TheSuperPope]

What makes you think spurrier has a chip on his shoulder... he is simply on a different level of coaches than Bowden. USC didn't raise his pay because he won 8 games (7 at the time) but because everyone else was trying to take him and USC wanted/needed to keep him. Spurrier is recognized as one of the best coaches of all times (by most). Tommy is still looked at as Bobby's son who went 11-0 at Tulane. If you watched the coverage of their Bowl, everytime they spoke of Tommy they also mentioned that he was Bobby's son.
I just don't see in the future ESPN talking about Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Spurrier, Pete Carrol, and then Tommy Bowden. Clemson can do better. (Be prepared to be shocked because this is a USC fan saying this) The talent IS there to be #1... and with a top 25 recruiting season like they have had, they will be even better next year. It could be time for a new coach to lead the team.
And I am sorry if it offended anyone that I called Tommy a whiny baby, thats just the way he comes off in the articles and I can't feasibly make the  trip to Clemson go meet him in person. That and the fact that I'm from USC so I would probably catch on fire or something just by walking on the campus

[Spartan]

lol superpope, despite that popular belief, you don't catch fire. Your retina's get burned by all that orange though


Spurrier was originally offered a $2 million contract, but said instead took $1.5 million and split the rest among his other coaches. He was offered what I think is a token gesture of a pay raise to show good faith towards him as rumors were flying about his taking a job at Miami or Alabama. It had nothing to do with the number of wins he's had at Carolina so far.

As for next year, lets wait and see. We won't be number one for sure, but I think we will suprise a lot of people.

Clemson's problem is that their fans don't take losses very well. When they lost to VA Tech people were calling for Bowden's head. Thats an exaggeration of course, but you get my point. That in turn makes the coach's job less secure. Clemson has a lot of good players coming its way, so they have just as much potential to do well next year as they did this year.

[GvilleSC]

Clemson needs to axe the offensive coordinator, not Bowden. Bowden can take Clemson to a National Championship, you're right the talent is there, we just need some shuffling of the coaches under Bowden. We'll see...

I can't wait to watch Korn and the future Clemson squads takes shape and get better, as Spurrier pushes USC to get better, too. It's going to make for a GREAT matchup/rivalry and one that should receive a lot of national attention! People will say Ohio State or Michigan and WHO!?


And props to Clemson's basketball team for starting ACC play tonight with a road win against a talented FSU team. 15-0!!!

[Spartan]

GvilleSC, on Jan 3 2007, 10:43 PM, said:

! People will say Ohio State or Michigan and WHO!?

I already say that.  

[GvilleSC]

After tonight's victory over Georgia Tech, Clemson is 2-0 in the ACC and is now the ONLY undefeated team in the country! This is going to have some nice exposure in store for the state and SC's Clemson Tigers.  

Good luck to USC tomorrow with Kansas

[g-man430]

I watched that Clemson game earlier today on tv and I must say Clemson looks very impressive this year at basketball. Can't wait until March Madness. Go Tigers.

Edited by g-man430, 06 January 2007 - 08:14 PM.

[teshadoh]

Clemson had to lose eventually, unfortunately I had a bad feeling with Maryland just losing the previous game to lowly Miami & Clemson already having won the majority of the last games - that playing AT Maryland was going to be tough.  Yet, Clemson lost by only 5 - though Maryland dominated most of the game.

Next game - will be Clemson's second chance at proving they are legitimate, UNC doesn't lose 2 in a row often.

[GvilleSC]

teshadoh, on Jan 13 2007, 09:10 PM, said:

Clemson had to lose eventually, unfortunately I had a bad feeling with Maryland just losing the previous game to lowly Miami & Clemson already having won the majority of the last games - that playing AT Maryland was going to be tough.  Yet, Clemson lost by only 5 - though Maryland dominated most of the game.

Next game - will be Clemson's second chance at proving they are legitimate, UNC doesn't lose 2 in a row often.

It had to come eventually. And the timing couldn't be better. The team should be fired up for UNC (I know the fans will be). The Tar Heels should get a good run for their money on Wednesday. GO TIGERS!

[krazeeboi]

I would love for nothing MORE than for Clemson to beat UNC.

In other news, today's USC vs. Florida game was the first time I really got a chance to see Tre Kelly in action in depth, and the dude is nice. Too bad USC lost. I hear Kelly also kind of "went off" on his teammates.

[Spartan]

^Me too. Virginia Tech's win over N Car. gives me hope for Clemson.

I was hopeful for Carolina at half-time. But the loss to Florida was expected... they are #2 after all. Maybe even #1 after today. We'll see....