Fear the Turtle
Last week, the Fighting Tigers got exactly what they needed from a Homecoming date with the Chippewas of Central Michigan. An easy rout. The team clicked on virtually all cylinders. The intensity was present. Mistakes were cut down.
Yes, I know it was Central Michigan. But the way this season has unfolded, it truly would not have been a surprise to see the Chippies hang close with the heavyweights. Quite a few people predicted a close game. A couple daring souls even dared enough to mark down a win for CM. Thankfully, that didn't pan out.
So here we sit at 5-2, 2-2 in the ACC. And we've got a matchup in College Park today with the Maryland Terrapins.
The Terps aren't too difficult to remember. Last year, our shot at the ACC title got kicked away by a last-minute drive that shoved our wearied defense around like dust mops. That 13-12 debacle in Death Valley was a bizarre game in more ways than one. I don't know where the players' heads were that day, but they didn't look motivated in the knowledge that the outcome would determine their conference destiny. Even worse, the normally rowdy Tiger fans were strangely subdued for most of the game. Sure, the low scoring affair probably contributed, but it was one of the few games in which I could hear myself talk. That should never happen at a Clemson game in Death Valley.
The Fighting Tigers have struggled in recent years against Ralph Friedgen's squads. Even when all the stats say we should win, and in some cases win handily, we seem to get out of rhythm and make more mistakes against them than we should. Certainly they are soundly coached, play sound, disciplined football, and have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. Which is exactly what we need to improve. Especially on special teams.
As always, this game has huge conference stakes. If the Tigers win, they still hold their destiny in their hands (which only means the Duke game next week automatically becomes the biggest game. Yes, you heard me right. Duke). If we blow it, that pretty much blows our chances. James Davis has already gone on record saying that we will win this game. Cockiness? Unmerited provocation of the opposing team? Not the way I see it. It's about time someone lit a fire under this team and stepped up to give us some vocal support. Davis put himself and his teammates on notice to bring their A game and play full force for the entire 60 minutes. Which is what I hope will happen.
I don't know. This game is scary. We have the talent, the experience, and the power to blow this team out. But we had it last year as well and could hardly even sniff the endzone. Again, we struggle against the Fridge. Plus, it's in the always hostile confines of College Park (and The Weather Channel is predicting rain). What's going to happen? Will we shake our turtle phobia?
FINAL SCORE: ...
...
...
*sigh* Make a believer out of me, James.
Maryland 21, Clemson 18.
Yes, I know it was Central Michigan. But the way this season has unfolded, it truly would not have been a surprise to see the Chippies hang close with the heavyweights. Quite a few people predicted a close game. A couple daring souls even dared enough to mark down a win for CM. Thankfully, that didn't pan out.
So here we sit at 5-2, 2-2 in the ACC. And we've got a matchup in College Park today with the Maryland Terrapins.
The Terps aren't too difficult to remember. Last year, our shot at the ACC title got kicked away by a last-minute drive that shoved our wearied defense around like dust mops. That 13-12 debacle in Death Valley was a bizarre game in more ways than one. I don't know where the players' heads were that day, but they didn't look motivated in the knowledge that the outcome would determine their conference destiny. Even worse, the normally rowdy Tiger fans were strangely subdued for most of the game. Sure, the low scoring affair probably contributed, but it was one of the few games in which I could hear myself talk. That should never happen at a Clemson game in Death Valley.
The Fighting Tigers have struggled in recent years against Ralph Friedgen's squads. Even when all the stats say we should win, and in some cases win handily, we seem to get out of rhythm and make more mistakes against them than we should. Certainly they are soundly coached, play sound, disciplined football, and have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. Which is exactly what we need to improve. Especially on special teams.
As always, this game has huge conference stakes. If the Tigers win, they still hold their destiny in their hands (which only means the Duke game next week automatically becomes the biggest game. Yes, you heard me right. Duke). If we blow it, that pretty much blows our chances. James Davis has already gone on record saying that we will win this game. Cockiness? Unmerited provocation of the opposing team? Not the way I see it. It's about time someone lit a fire under this team and stepped up to give us some vocal support. Davis put himself and his teammates on notice to bring their A game and play full force for the entire 60 minutes. Which is what I hope will happen.
I don't know. This game is scary. We have the talent, the experience, and the power to blow this team out. But we had it last year as well and could hardly even sniff the endzone. Again, we struggle against the Fridge. Plus, it's in the always hostile confines of College Park (and The Weather Channel is predicting rain). What's going to happen? Will we shake our turtle phobia?
FINAL SCORE: ...
...
...
*sigh* Make a believer out of me, James.
Maryland 21, Clemson 18.
posted by david @ 7:23 AM
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