Dear Clemson Fans, You Deserve Better Than Tommy Bowden: Part Two

After the Clemson-Maryland game this year, I wrote an article telling Tiger fans they deserved better than Tommy Bowden.

Little did I know that this article would turn into a series. I have friends, family, and co-workers that love the Tigers. Some are lifelong Tiger fans. Tommy Bowden, only your immediate family is behind you anymore.

Look, there have been nice moments during Bowden's tenure. He took a 3-9 squad from Tommy West and immediately made Clemson competitive again. There was the 9-0 start in 2000 and the No. 4 ranking before losing to Georgia Tech, 31-28, in Death Valley. You have the 2003 Peach Bowl victory over Tennessee, the multiple wins over Florida State, and the 7-2 record over arch rival South Carolina.

Already this season, though, was the national embarrassment against Alabama, the second-half coaching debacle against Maryland, and last night's sad effort off a bye week in a 12-7, lucky it wasn't a three-touchdown loss to Wake Forest. Bowden's boat is sinking in a hurry.

A quick review of the game details an offense with with speedsters Jacoby Ford, CJ Spiller, All-ACC players Cullen Harper, Aaron Kelly, and James Davis that has netted exactly seven points in the last six quarters of football. Rob Spence is having a disastrous season, and may be joining former Auburn's offensive coordinator Tony Franklin in the unemployment line.

At least the defense, while giving up tons of yards to the quick-hitting Demon Deacon attack, stiffened in the red zone and managed to keep the game close, but a terrible interception by quarterback Cullen Harper in the fourth quarter effectively ended the game.

Bowden in desperation will start Tiger local golden boy Willie Korn next Saturday against Georgia Tech. While this will temporarily suffice Tiger fans, this is no position to start an inexperienced passer against the ACC's best and most-feared defensive line with Clemson's young and much-maligned offensive line doing the blocking.

Poor Korn will be running for his life, most likely without game-breaker CJ Spiller to be available, either. Things don't get easier after that, with games at Boston College and at Florida State. Clemson could be easily looking at a 3-6 start in a season that began as a preseason top 10.    

Time to let Tommy go...again....