Every year, without fail, the Clemson Tigers bungle their season and find themselves playing in the Chick-Fil-A Nobody-Really-Cares Bowl.
After last Saturday’s performance, it is clear that they are headed for that same destiny once again.
Make no mistake: last Saturday’s loss to BC was not a Heisman moment for Matt Ryan—it was the classic "Clemson Meltdown."
After giving up a ridiculous late-game touchdown to Ryan and company, the Tigers were in perfect position to drive down the field: three timeouts left, an accurate quarterback, and receivers and running backs who catch the ball well.
However, after driving into field goal range, Aaron Kelly—the Tigers' number-one receiver—let the ball slip through his hands on what should have been a gorgeous touchdown catch. A few plays later, the Tigers' number-two receiver, Tyler Grisham, dropped a pass of about seven yards.
Finally, to fully complete the meltdown, QB Cullen Harper committed the cardinal sin of the two-minute drive, taking a sack on third down. This forced their normally reliable kicker to kick a career-long 54-yarder, which sadly—but fittingly fell—about 10 feet short.
Game over. Clemson blows their shot at the ACC title…again.
Did I mention Clemson was playing at home? You have to wonder if any of the fans in Death Valley were even surprised.
Making matters worse, Clemson now faces an unpredictable but dangerous South Carolina team. After ripping off a 6-1 start, the Gamecock nation has gone into a funk, as their team lost some very close games, been exposed on defense, suffered injuries, and seemingly lost all confidence.
Unlike Clemson, however, South Carolina has a steady ball coach—the Head Ball Coach actually, who will look to right the ship and close out the year with a strong win. Coming off a much-needed bye week, look for the Gamecocks to be sharp in a game they need to win for bowl eligibility.
Thus, not only will Clemson be in their all-too-regular post-meltdown state of shock, South Carolina will be healthy, rested, and coached by a man not in perpetual lame-duck status.
Look for the sound play of Kenny McKinley to continue, and watch out for two Gamecock receivers who have really come on late in the season: freshman Dion Lecorn and the huge sophomore Jared Cook. Mix in some hard running by Cory Boyd and Mike Davis, and exciting special-teams playmaker Chris Culliver, you have yourself a complete game.
Quarterback Blake Mitchell might be the biggest difference-maker, however. In the last home start of his career, Mitchell would love to go out on top by beating SC’s arch rival. While many would call Mitchell’s career sub-par at best, he has beaten all of the top teams in the SEC, and delivered two excellent games against Clemson.
9 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
NAW MAN TIGER BAIT...your an idiot. Spurrier will throw his vizor into the ground!!
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
You're, visor, and Spurrier doesn't throw his visor anymore.
Thanks for reading. Care to explain your point further? The idiot comment was convincing that you know football, but maybe you could elaborate?
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"NAW MAN TIGER BAIT...your an idiot. Spurrier will throw his vizor into the ground!!"
Typical tater. Ignorant.
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sam frodor about 1 year ago
From a CU Tiger fan of 45 years.....
I hate you Tim Pollock and this article you wrote because, simply, the truth hurts. I don't have a solution for our late season meltdowns, but it's become too commonplace to ignore any longer. With our talent there's no reason we shouldn't be playing in the ACC championship game, winning hands down and moving on to a major bowl, if not the BCS title game itself. It boils down to coaching and as much as I like Tommy Bowden it's time for him to move on.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
Sam, I take it the hatred for me was exaggeration. I think you speak for many Clemson fans, and I wonder if the whispers of letting Bowden go will get louder and louder if they lose tomorrow.
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Walker Walker about 1 year ago
Well, I think it is painfully obvious that this has been SPURRIER'S worst meltdown of his ENTIRE carrer. USC still sucks, they are not going to a bowl, Clemson is going to the "nobody...cares" Peach Bowl on New Years Eve to play Auburn, and none other than Spurrier is on the proverbial "hot seat" at the very begining of next year. Boy, it sure stinks to be a USC fan. GO TIGERS! I would say you got about .1% of your article right, good job.
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Andrew the Terrible about 1 year ago
"Unlike Clemson, however, South Carolina has a steady ball coach—the Head Ball Coach actually, who will look to right the ship and close out the year with a strong win. Coming off a much-needed bye week, look for the Gamecocks to be sharp in a game they need to win for bowl eligibility.
Thus, not only will Clemson be in their all-too-regular post-meltdown state of shock, South Carolina will be healthy, rested, and coached by a man not in perpetual lame-duck status."
WOW. what an incredible prediction.
Tim, you are my hero. I applaud your confidence in yourself in not deleting this article after the results of the football game thoroughly embarassed you.
To be honest, I hope Spurrier stays at Carolina as long as possible. Legendary and feared coach SOS will go down in similar fashion to Lou Holtz: with a loss to you-know-who.
Look for Spurrier to be giving lame halftime speaches to nobody-teams on espn in about four years.
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Andrew the Terrible about 1 year ago
"Unlike Clemson, however, South Carolina has a steady ball coach—the Head Ball Coach actually, who will look to right the ship and close out the year with a strong win. Coming off a much-needed bye week, look for the Gamecocks to be sharp in a game they need to win for bowl eligibility.
Thus, not only will Clemson be in their all-too-regular post-meltdown state of shock, South Carolina will be healthy, rested, and coached by a man not in perpetual lame-duck status."
WOW. what an incredible prediction.
Tim, you are my hero. I applaud your confidence in yourself in not deleting this article after the results of the football game thoroughly embarassed you.
To be honest, I hope Spurrier stays at Carolina as long as possible. Legendary and feared coach SOS will go down in similar fashion to Lou Holtz: with a loss to you-know-who.
Look for Spurrier to be giving lame halftime speaches to nobody-teams on espn in about four years.
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Justin Hokanson 10 months ago
I can go with that. Carolina is a good team. I still think Clemson wins the ACC, but a loss to Carolina is very possible.
This all depends though on who Carolina's QB is and if he steps up.
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