www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks/>
Tigers struggle to regroup, fall to Seminoles
CLEMSON — Florida State has played a lot of bad football over the past five seasons.
And the Seminoles seem to have saved their worst for Clemson.
Sure, the Tigers have had something to do with it. But Clemson's four victories over the Seminoles in five tries — including the last three straight — have been marked more by ineptitude from the latter than brilliance from the former.
Consider this: In 16 quarters of football that covered those Tiger wins, FSU's offense mustered four touchdowns. And all four — one in 2003, one in 2006, and two last year — came as the Seminoles were trying to surmount large deficits.
From 1992 to 2002, Clemson felt lucky if it simply kept things close with FSU. The Seminoles won all 11 meetings by an average margin of 24 points.
And that brings us to this year's Nov. 8 meeting in Tallahassee, Fla. Clemson will come in with a better record, a higher ranking, and probably the better team.
But the 7-1 Tigers will be coming off an emotional, crushing loss at Boston College seven days hence. And you've got to wonder what's going to happen when FSU finally puts it together and plays its best — or merely close to it — against Clemson.
Florida State offense vs. Clemson defense
It's not unreasonable to think the Seminoles' offense will be a train wreck this season.
The most glaring problems are up front, where no juniors or seniors are available. Junior tackle Daron Rose transferred to a junior college, and projected starting guard Evan Bellamy is done for 2008 because of a blood clot.
That leaves second-year line coach Rick Trickett with two returning starters — center Ryan McMahon and left tackle Rodney Hudson, both sophomores. Beyond those two, it's pretty much redshirt freshmen and incoming freshmen.
Trickett gradually orchestrated improvement from last year's line, and he could do the same this year. But it's gonna take time.
Junior quarterback Drew Weatherford has started 33 games at FSU, and his chief competition last year (Xavier Lee) has transferred. But Weatherford's job is far from secure.
Second-year offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher got a good look at redshirt sophomores Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson during the spring while Weatherford sat after undergoing knee surgery.
Also, incoming freshman E.J. Manuel is purported to be Fisher's quarterback of the future.
The Seminoles seem poised to improve at receiver with the return of 6-6 Greg Carr, Preston Parker, Richard Goodman and Rod Owens. Tailback is a little shaky behind Antone Smith after the transfers of Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball, but Fisher brought in three talented backs who could compete for playing time.
Clemson offense vs. Florida State defense
The early departures of tackle Letroy Guion and Geno Hayes might have kept this group from being dominant. Still, the Seminoles have enough talent on this side of the ball to be pretty good.
Seven starters return from a group that was inconsistent in 2007. Included are safety Myron Rolle and cornerback Tony Carter.
The defensive line could be stout with the return of junior end Everette Brown and the addition of Markus White on the other end. White earned junior college player-of-the-year honors last season and could immediately help a pass rush that produced just 29 sacks last season, ranking ninth in the ACC.
The Seminoles aren't nearly as deep as they used to be at linebacker, and Hayes' departure leaves a big hole. But senior Derek Nicholson and junior Dekoda Watson are capable.
The crystal ball
Tommy Bowden has done a good job in recent years helping his team recover from debilitating defeats. Last year's last- second victory at South Carolina came just a week after the knee-buckling home defeat to Boston College.
And two years ago, the Tigers followed an emotional loss at Boston College with a victory in Tallahassee a week later.
But there's something that tells us the Seminoles, despite a tumultuous offseason, will be better than expected this year. Nowhere close to dominant, but better.
And something tells us Florida State's offense will finally play well against Clemson. The Seminoles are due.
Prediction
Florida State 27, Clemson 23
Previous predictions
Clemson 27, Alabama 20
Clemson 45, The Citadel 17
Clemson 31, N.C. State 13
Clemson 40, S.C. State 6
Clemson 31, Maryland 23
Clemson 24, Wake Forest 19
Clemson 27, Ga. Tech 21
Boston College 17, Clemson 16
Friday
Duke at Clemson
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/>
Posted by Heavy79 on July 17, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
USC at 7-1 at this point in the season?? This is some kind of JOKE right?
Posted by Rooster07 on July 17, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Carolina has a better chance of beating Tennessee than FSU does of beating Clemson. The Tigers have had the criminoles number for a while now and I don't expect that to change. In fact, I think FSU may have a very disappointing season and Papa Bowden could call it quits. He already has his successor lined up.
Carolina would actually be 7-2 based on these predictions. The prediction of a loss to LSU is not listed there for some reason.
Posted by ironhorse on July 17, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe USC will go 9-0 and be ranked #2 in all polls and then go on to lose to Stall's JV team 3-63 at home.
Posted by Rebel_Yell on July 17, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Say it aint so, the thuggers lose another--oh my. All the hot air. the cupcake trophy got away again.
Posted by OldSalt on July 17, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think a more realistic "hope" would be 6-2, but I would take 5-3 right now if you gave it to me. I withhold all predictions until I see a capable offensive line and a reliable quarterback actually on the field - the Spring game did not, to put it mildly, provide this opportunity.
Posted by nikkiP on July 17, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clemson's going to be playing a few SEC teams this year. So, what's it like to have to step up from playing the local high school teams?
Posted by charleston_grown on July 17, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
has anyone else noticed that these season previews started off strong, but have gradually been getting worse and worse?
they probably should have waited till august 1st to start these stories, but with the break in sporting action they are really reaching.
come on travis and larry, time to step your game up.
Posted by ashleyriver on July 17, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nikkiP--------you mean like the "high school" team in Columbia??..........loljk!
Posted by cutigers091 on July 17, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, nikki, we've been playing one every year for a while now and it's typically been more like a week off for our players before we play in our bowl game. Something you may have forgotten about?
Regarding the predictions though, I don't mind the FSU pick in fact it scares me most of all our games, but his reasoning was basically "because FSU is due." That's weak. Sounds like someone doesn't feel like researching to me...
Posted by JAMJOH on July 17, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh thats cute ashleyriver. Did you forget about the ones like Citadel, SC State, Duke, NC state? Tough schedule, best of luck.
Posted by ashleyriver on July 17, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JAMJOH----I was just kidding with nikkiP as I posted....but if you extract Duke from that list you posted, I'm pretty sure the gamecocks have played or are playing very soon every team you mentioned...............of course, inserting Vanderbilt instead of Duke would make the list complete.
Apparently YOU'VE forgotten about all those.
And this is my last post on the subject, as I stated, I was only kidding around with nikkiP. You gamecocks enjoy living vicariously through your conference's accomplishments but don't pretend that you don't play a bunch of creampuffs outside your conference schedule.
Posted by sbishop on July 17, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JAMJOH, least you forget: Duke owns Spurier, has played both the Citadel and SC State(last year, how quickly we forget) and plays NC State this year.
Posted by bigriver1 on July 17, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shamecocks at 7-1 before the collapse. More like 4-3 and then lose the rest. Maybe and I mean MAYBE 6-6. How many interceptions in the spring game? LOL. Garcia will be in jail so you cant count on him. Same old same old, 6-6 and 3-5!! Sit at home in your favorite chair and watch the real teams playing in the bowls. Spurrier will retire after this year, he cant stand much more losing. LOL.
Posted by VolFan22 on July 17, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Story of course I disagree. I think people are overlooking Tennessee's strengths. We have one of the best olines in the country and also have a very good secondary, linebacker unit, and running back. However I think this will be a great game. I am curious as to why the writer thinks USC has no chance against Florida or Georgia but such a good chance against UT. Florida is primed for many upsets this season as their defense was terrible last year and has lost a lot of starters this summer. They had an embarrassing loss to Michigan in their bowl game. They are in for a lot of shootouts and with Spurrier's offense. I would think he can't wait to test all those freshman and sophomore defensive backs Florida will have to play. Georgia is supposed to be good this year but we beat them 35-14 last year and they weren't in Atlanta as far as I remember? I'm not saying that UT is the team to beat, I'm just saying that if USC thinks it can contend with them then they can contend with UF and UGA too. The difference between these 3 team is not as great as the polls show.
Finally I want to point out that Tennessee will not run a spread offense this year. I don't know how the writer got this impression, but a little fact checking will show you otherwise. Their new OC runs a West Coast Offense ala Norm Chow and Bill Walsh. That is where the roots of his offense originated. It's almost like he just wrote this column on opinion only and disregarded the facts?
Posted by fjms on July 17, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Tigers!
Posted by Nonsense on July 17, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't call winning by a field goal at the last minute a cake walk. Delusional? I think so. As I said before, if Bowden had not eeked out those two wins over Spurrier, he would be in the unemployment line right now.
Posted by tigerfan07 on July 17, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nonsense,
You are right if we would have LOST to you, but we didn't. And here we are today. I don't know why you talk about eeking out the wins we have had over you guys. Last time I checked, a win is a win is a win. W in the column is better than a L, and I don't think USuC fans get it.
Posted by Joker on July 17, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have got to be kidding me? Haney thinks that the Gamecocks are going to beat Tennessee? He or any other Carolina fan that believes this is living on Mars. The Gamecocks have only beaten Tennessee twice in Columbia ever and once in Knoxville ever. The first of those two victories came way back in 1903 and the second by one point in 1992. How are the Gamecocks gonna do it this year?? Carolina has no shot at beating Tennessee lets face it. The head to head series record is Tennessee 21 wins to Carolina's 3 with 2 ties. That is ridiculous and Carolina is gonna beat the Vols this year? What makes the Lamecocks so good this year?? Don't see it, look at the history of these two schools and tell me again how you see Carolina recording their 4th win in history against Tennessee this year and first in Columbia since 1992? Is George Rogers back for a fifth year or something? Because this years version of Gamecocks sure don't scare me. A combined 8 ints in the spring game. Who is gonna be the QB this year for Carolina? Remember Jonathan Crompton was a 5 star bluechip recruit coming out of North Carolina, I will sure take that over Beecher and Smelley who seem like they will be Eric Berry and D. Morley's favorite players come October. Tn's secondary is loaded and Smelley and Beecher never throw picks right??
Posted by gbojrj on July 17, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"But Tennessee is beatable." "Especially in Columbia."
1. Fulmer has never lost in Columbia.
2. Tennessee has only lost once in Columbia.
3. Fulmer has beaten Spurrier twice In Columbia.
4. This is Columbia, not Gainsville.
(Tenn. may loose, but Columbia will have nothing to do with it.)
Williams-Brice stadium is Tenn.'s home-away-from-home.
Go Big Orange.
Posted by CaptPete on July 17, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Preseason predictions are fun. Anyone can say anything. USC will finish 4th in the SEC if they are lucky. Too much talent in the SEC east for the Gamecocks. UT will win the game by 3.
Posted by youmanyo on July 17, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont think the chickens will talk to much trash to vol fans since they depend on them beating other teams so they can brag about it (hey we are in the sec , even though we suck ).
Posted by rootin4volz on July 17, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Gamecocks should be able to topple Vols"
Hahahahahahaha! Yeah, right. That's what Vandy thought last season too. Hahahahahahaha!
Posted by UrGatorbait on July 17, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my Volsienheimer's has kicked in for the Vollies. The chikins will fall to the orange people from the hills.
The Carolina spring game apparently wasn't to impressive but never underestimate SOS. If teh chikins could pull some good players than a 7-1 at this point in the off season prediction fest, is possible.
Florida's defense was bad...LAST YEAR. Much improved secondary play and the D line is going to be a beast especially with that Dunlap kid. The offense is going to be scary good but I'll say that's why they play the game on Saturdays.
Is it football season yet?
Posted by theballsiam on July 17, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How has Clemson not won the ACC the last few years? Now I'm no USC fan, but Clemson's football team chokes way too much. The ACC was so bad last year and they still couldn't win it with all that talent. Blows my mind.
Posted by fjms on July 18, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's set the record straight b/c I am messed up, but this is the first year Clemson is favored to win the A.C.C. So go and stay home for the holiday's shamecock fans!