Clemson Gameday/Live Blogging (Colliding Charlie Browns?): Haltime Update – State on pace to hold Tigers under 50 points!
As Alpha noted earlier this week, the troubled, bruised, 1-4 NC State Wolfpack is pretty much the last hurdle between Clemson and its first Atlantic Division title. The very same Wolfpack that lost at home to Duke by 3 touchdowns, then got smoked even worse by Boston College (a team that Clemson manhandled a few weeks prior). State’s lone ACC win was a sloppy affair at home against a similarly hapless Maryland team with only one D-1A win all year…which came against Clemson.
And therein lies the source of Tiger Nation’s fear and trepidation. Ever since their deified Danny Ford left town, nothing seems to cause more heartbreak than a clear shot at glory. I covered this phenomenon in my pre-season “case against” Clemson. As I’ve noted before, NC State sports reminds me of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. We tell ourselves this time will be different, but Lucy always yanks the ball away. On a different scale, that’s also been Clemson football for the last decade plus. If you know any Clemson fans, you’ll find that they are always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Think back to this year’s Maryland game. With the chance to take firm control of the Atlantic race (possible contenders had been dropping like flies, save Boston College – who Clemson handily beat two weeks before), Clemson shat the bed. Down 24-21, Clemson started three 4th quarter drives around the Maryland 30 – and came away with no points.
Unlike in past years, though, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers rallied, blowing out Wake, then winning a thriller (best ACC game of the year, by far) at Miami. Next came Florida State at home, with Papa Bowden ready to avenge his boy’s firing. Amazingly, Clemson overcame numerous bad beats – a Seminole defensive touchdown staking them to an early 17-6 lead, and a stupefying three missed extra points. The Tigers showed heart, determination, and character – pulling away late for a 40-24 win.
So, I look at today’s game a bit differently than usual. It’s kind of a win-win. A State victory would be very satisfying, of course. But if we lose, there’s a silver lining. We won’t have to hear the Massholes crowing about their third consecutive post-TOB Atlantic title (which would also be a financial and PR disaster for the ACC). And we can take some hope and satisfaction that “the other Charlie Brown” finally kicked that damned ball. Maybe one day, we’ll do the same.
Funny trivia note – entering today’s action, only two teams are mathematically eliminated from their respective division titles – Virginia and UNC. Technically, every Atlantic team is still alive!
Live blogging will start at high noon. Talk to you then.
UPDATE: In the meantime, you can read a good entry about why one writer thinks the Pack will prevail today: Three Reasons Why State WILL Beat Clemson
This was mentioned on another blog, but Maryland at 2-7 has one one bowl they could qualify for: the Orange Bowl by winning the ACC. It’ll never happen, though.
Clemson is going to win the atlantic regardless of happens today. Their last acc game is at Virginia. If Clemson drops one of these games, BC would have to go undefeated in their last three to make it to Tampa. BC plays at UVA, UNC, and at Maryland. They will lose one of those games. BC is 6-0 at home and 0-3 on the road this year.
IIRC, BC had to sweep their last 3 games in 2008, and it was even more unlikely (had to win at FSU and at Wake). Yet sweep they did.
clemson charlie brown > State Charlie brown……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbaGubfzSIc
I don’t have a good feeling about this one either. But I expect State to try to run heavy on Clemson. Baker is in great form and the run game is ready to break out. Clemson’s strength is its pass defense and a few teams ran on them pretty well – of course GT was one of them. Bowers is out for this game, so only Sapp to worry about at DE.
The run strategy nearly worked a few years ago against Clemson in Amato’s last season. They lost (20-14 i think), but Baker ran for 180.
Found on the boards, but this is just sad and funny to me:
Clemson’s offense and special teams are as good as any we’ve faced all season. No way I would bet on the Pack considering we can barely defend those things.
It’s very possible that Clemson defies their Charlie Brown history and blasts us. Probably our worst matchup of the season.
can anyone provide a link to the video feed for the game? can`t believe there inst a live blog on the forums right now….but understandable. i chose too work all weekend than to go to this game….
^ Sorry inhoc, but I don’t see a feed on justin.tv
here it comes…..
Damn it, having trouble editing my entry on blackberry.
There’s no “edit entry button” on the mobile version, so I will just add comments here for now.
This is by far the best defense we’ve played since Week 1. Who are these guys and what did they do with the real Wolfpack defense?
3-0, Tiggers.
Giving up 3 is a big victory
Somehow, Spencer has single coverage deep on 3rd and forever. But Wilson underthrows, and Clemson picks it off at own 25.
20 pick of the year?
I wouldn’t be so fast to blame Wilson for that INT. The defender forced Spencer out of bounds and set himself up to catch the ball.
You could have made a good case for PI, but at the same time, Owen needed to fight through the defensive back there.
Zone Blitz FAIL on 3rd and 5.
That didn’t work.
I’ve seen tougher Zone D’s on women I have dated. C’mon guys, tighten it up!
3-0 Clemson after the 1st Quarter. Clemson is threatening on the Pack 18. State has played fairly decent on defense, but are giving up big plays especially on third down and letting the Tigers march on them.
On offense, Baker good, receivers can’t catch, and Eugene not even average.
State COULD win this one, but they had better get their butts in the game fast before Clemson gets away from them.
“I’ve seen tougher Zone D’s on women I have dated. C’mon guys, tighten it up!”
HAH!
I needed that humor
They just qb_sneaked for 5.
I’ve never seen so ,any guys get i n front of the ball and rujn backwards to attempt a tackle. What is that?
Rw gegtting lots of time. Take off kid!