#8 Ranked Clemson Tigers are FOR REAL
“This was my lock of the year. I picked Virginia Tech.”
Apparently, LOTS ‘a folks did. That particular quote comes from “The Solid Verbal” podcast, but it could easily have come from anyone else. Maybe even …you?
After all, wouldn’t Clemson “be Clemson” and fold under the pressure? Wouldn’t the traditionally-tough, coal miner defenses pumping out of Blacksburg reestablish order in the ACC, you know, “set things straight”, or was something different afoot?
Thanks to a 23-3 score, the Clemson Tigers have turned the corner on their doubters. And their season. The Hokies were the last in a TROIKA of talent that tested the Tiger’s in a Three-week Trial. Notwithstanding a less-than-stellar showing by Taj Boyd (ditto Sammy Watkins), Clemson’s D-FENCE bowed up and vaulted the Tigers way over the high-bar Va Tech presented as Clemson’s biggest speed bump on the their way to a BCS bowl. In a freezing cold, untested nighttime game in one of the most hostile environments in all of College Football, the Tigers Tuned VaTech into Turkey Tetrazinni: B-A-M!
“On Saturday, Clemson started a new streak. The Tigers became the first ACC team to defeat three straight ranked opponents. With the upset of the Hokies, there was a monumental shift of power in the ACC,” ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich wrote after the game.
Consider the five wins so far this season:
vs. Troy, 2010 Sun Belt Conference Champion (W, 43-19)
vs. Wofford, 2010 Southern Conference Champion (W, 35-27)
vs. Auburn, 2010 National Champion (W, 38-24)
vs. Florida State, 2010 ACC Atlantic Division Champion (W, 35-30)
at Virginia Tech, 2010 ACC Champion (W, 23-3)
Frank Howard. Charlie Pell. Danny Ford. Dabo Swinney.
Could the Tigers have a new legend walking the sideline? All four played football for Alabama. All four played for coaches who won National Championships. Howard, Ford & Pell took the lessons they learned in Tuscaloosa and put them to work at Clemson. Is Swinney next? While still a little too early for OUTRIGHT comparisons, now that Swinney’s fully three years into his tenure, Dabo has HIS players, HIS staff and HIS system in place: He’s shore lookin’ that way to me.
One sportswriter doesn’t think it’s too early for comparisons. In December 2008, In a direct comparison to Danny Ford, Drew Stewart wrote for WIS, “Both men got their job after the old coach left during the season. Ford took over for Charley Pell in 1978, and Swinney got the job after Tommy Bowden’s departure. Neither had been a head coach before taking over at Clemson, and both officially took over before the Tigers played in a Gator Bowl. Now, we all know the Tigers went on to have great success under Danny Ford, taking home the national title in 1981. Ford also turned the Tigers into one of the most feared teams in college football.”
Reader beware: If the Tigers continue this Talent Torrent much longer, you are gonna get a belly-full of print comparisons between 2011 and 1981. Starting right here in this blog! For now, I’ll just get ready for Coach Cromer Reunion Weekend with my Dad & childhood pals, a WILD Clemson Homecoming Game, & be thankful for the most exciting season since my freshman year at Clemson in 1981. Oh yea, …. and pray for another win Saturday against Boston College.
There’s no doubt that Dabo Swinney’s success will be judged later. But his team is being judged right now, and to be quite frank: It looks DAMN good!
by J.L. Mann Cromer, Jr , an Attorney licensed to practice in South Carolina, California &The District of Columbia. He received his BA in 1985 from Clemson University and his JD in 1988 from the University of South Carolina School of Law
with Wes Wolfe. He’s written for 11 publications in five states, and is the proprietor of The Five Points Flood.
GO CITADEL BULLDOGS! WHAT A GAME THIS PAST WEEKEND ON THE ROAD! GO DOGS! SPURRIER AND GARCIA WHO????!?!?!?!??!
It is pretty impressive what Clemson has done so far considerIng how young most of their talent is. They do look different than usual. But it is not uncommon for Clemson teams of the last decade to look strong and then crumble in the end of the season. It’s not looking like that will happen this time, but then again it never does
Every Clemson fan felt such pride in the way the team played. Blacksburg is certainly not Death Valley, but our boys ralled and pulled off a great win. Dabo was certainly pleased as he well should be. First time Virginia Tech and not scored a touch down in how many games. Go Tigers, We love you
For the Tigers to win convincingly without the high octane offense hitting on all cylinders is a good sign. Not quite “winning ugly” — which you have to do sometimes — but a win at least hunting in the same pack!
Bubba, you are the finest Southern pigskin prognosticator since the late Leonard Postero, aka Leonard’s Losers! Keep up the good work.
You’re right about Dabo and this team having tremendous potential. With the Tigers ’81 National Championship team coming to Death Valley to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Orange Bowl win over Nebraska, each Clemson win makes comparisons of Dabo’s team and Danny’s ’81 team more easily drawn.
Go Tigers!
Go Tigers!!! Looking forward to an article on the Gamecock QB change, too!
Clemson has played fantastic this year. I hope they keep it up. I would like for Dabo and his team to have another championship year. We shall see.
As for Carolina….well, if they would bench Garcia then they may have a chance at a win. He is so off the chain it’s crazy. I am not a Gamecock fan, but do pull for them when they are not playing Clemson (since they are a state team and all). I would not let Garcia play the rest of the season if it were me coaching. lol I’m just saying
Please Tigers don’t shit the bed. This year is too much fun so far.
House is now divided… My daughter converted to a Clemson fan last week. ugh
She finally converted to the Orange…our evil plan is working!
Clemson deserves to be where they are in the polls. The cocks have their work cut out for them if the Tiger’s show up and play ball the way they’ve been playing ball.
Clemson sure surprised me. I just wasn’t sure how the freshmen would hold up without the Clemson crowd, but they are in their zone. Would love to see Clemson go undefeated. Thanks for the article, loved it. Go Tigers
Congratulations to the Clemson Tigers. Come on Gamecockers, they are a SC team and make us shine. Glad the cocks are gonna regroup on quarterbacks! Go SC!
Andy is right, Clemson deserves a congratulations on the last three games…I’m hoping for a Gamecock turnaround at quarterback and a great SC rivalry game in November!!
I’m definitely not a Clemson fan, but commend them on their strong performance thus far this season. Hopefully the Gamecocks can show some improvement in our O line with the help of Shaw this wknd as we attempt to pummel Kentucky. I look fwd to the match up against Clemson in Novemeber as I’m afraid they will get their revenge from the past 2 seasons.
Cheers &m Go Cocks
and Go Cocks that is…..
Pastor to the congregation. The good news is that Jesus loves you…. The better news is that Clemson is undefeated and ranked #8 proving there is a God.
I had a FEW fear moments in the game when I had to change channels on the T.V. (my son-in –law always tells me I can find more to do when my Tigers are not playing well) but I’ll take a win clawing or other wise…
THE BEST Clemson article Ive ever read or writtenWe fee (even as sports editor of the Tiger long ago)
We feel your enthusiasm and us old Tigers share it.The roar of the Tiger truly once again thunders through the Southland!!
GO cocks! I believe the Gamecocks will get it together and have a great year. Yes, i know i am the enternal optimist when it comes to my gamecocks. I love them almost as much as my children even though we too are a house divided.
I said it once and I’ll say it again “Booo clemson, Yeah Gamecocks!”
sidebar: How about those Wildcats? Kansas State is BACK BABY!
I had this same feeling about Clemson Football exactly 30 years ago when I was a Freshman there. Of course we all know how that turned out, a National Championship in Div.1 NCAA Football. Will karma come full circle in 2011? We shall see!
Whats all the who ha about the 1981 team about, did you forget again that they cheated and were caught and were on probation. Should have been stripped of the tittle.
Hey all you Carolina fans, get over it Clemson is #8 in the polls and your Cocks have drooped well below us. Yes I meant to say DOOPED, look it up in Webster
It’s turning out to be a great football season; Clemson on top and the cocks on the skids!
Starting to feel like 1981? Yep! That was a fun season. I had classes with several of the players. It became a mental thing for them! They weren’t cocky (sorry but it was the only word that fit!) just confident that they could win. We haven’t had that feeling for some time now; great to see it coming back. Go TIGERS!
Since we are talking sports. Warning! I discovered during the re-screening project on the Back porch that Wasps are still active. However Greg+ Power washer 6 Wasp 0. The Snakeskin that fell out of the gutter caused me to run trip over the power washer and fall for about 6 feet. I have just added Mother nature to my list of Enemies. I think I deserve a beer.
That “monumental shift” has brought monumental excitement to all us Clemson fans! Watching the Tigers’ phenomenal play against the Hokies AT Blacksburg made it clear they are the REAL DEAL!!
My two children–both Clemson grads–are having a ball with my husband (a USC alumni) over this football season so far. Hey, I’m from another State and am not entitled to an opinion–but I’m just glad that a South Carolina team is looking good. I’ve been saying for years that Spurrier should have sent Garcia back to Florida on the same day he was caught on film keying a professors car. We would have all been better served…
Good luck to Clemson!
I’m a die hard Gamecock fan, but I’m really proud of Clemson and Carolina this year. I live in NC now, but have no desire to convert to a Tarheel, Blue Devil, Wolfpack, or Pirate any time soon!
One of the distinctive characteristics of tigers is that they can kill prey bigger than they are. Clemson has done that. I am hoping their cat cousins in Detroit will do that to the Since I can no longer root for any of the Florida teams because they failed me, I’ll go with Clemson because they have slain many dragons. I’m hoping their fellow Tigers will do the same to the Yankees tonight.
Congrats on passing the Arkansas Bar by the way! Bilenda kept me informed!
The previous message got sent before I could fix it but I think you get the idea.
Cheers for those Tiggers! As a confirmed Gamecock, I can’t cheer too loudly, but if USC is not going to “represent,” then those ole Tiggers will have to step up. Looks like they have.
Have you ever noticed that Dabo Swinney always thanks and praises God after each game (especially a win). He also thanks and bestows praises on his coaches and players. Dabo is a true coach and leader, getting the right people doing the right thing. The players give it their all and for the most part are true student-athletes. They believe in each other and it shows.
Always Proud to be a Clemson Tiger!
Tom i was not going to mention that but YES I HAVE. And–like most else with DaBo– it’s in perfect proportion. 1. It comes FIRST. 2. It’s BRIEF but sincere. Case in point. I remember Ken Hatfield would sometimes lapse to a “pseudo-witnessing” when expressing his Christian belief after a football game. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially when it’s sincere as is was with Hatfield, but it tended to alienate and have the opposite effect that one would want to see it achieve. Dabo is the real deal. Thanks for mentioning this Tom.
Being in a local fun football pool, I picked my Tigers! Shame on you Bubba! HA. I lived closely through the “Danny” years and I still think if asked he and could do it again. I also feel the same magic this year. Dabo has the admiration of “His” team and knows each player personally, just like Danny always did. I remember hearing Danny tell players, work harder or I’ll call your mama! He would too! This is our year again. Go Dabo and do it again Tigers! Dixie Inabinet Hicks
Bubba…. Who gives a shit! There’s only one state that plays #1 college football, and that’s Alabama! SC? blah!
ROLL FUCKING TIDE!
We can argue later over who’s voting record is the worst, and who is more crazily Red and tea-bag extreme. They’re both embarrass me.
Sir, with language like that, if I were an Alabama fan, I would be embarassed. Alabama is a great football team, but I can promise you that it won’t last forever. Even with all of those National Championships, Alabama will go down again. No team is forever on top! Pride comes before the fall.
Request: Take it easy on the language. it’s really not necessary!
I told Scot that even tho he technically “feels better”, he should continue taking the LITHIUM like the Doctor prescribed!
Real class Scott. My eleven year old grandaughter wondered why someone would write that. Any answers?? Bubba, I think there should be some minimum standards for the rednecks to go by.
I told Scot that even tho he technically “feels better”, he should continue taking the LITHIUM like the Doctor prescribed!
P.S. Just so you know, I went to DUKE undergrad and DUKE LAW and while we don’t really put up a threat to anyone in f’ball, note that the Blue Devils are currently 3-2… and FIRST in their division in the ACC. Hey, we may even make it to a bowl this year. No? Well, we can dream! The last time we did, Spurrier was our coach.
Can’t wait to rib you Palmetto people during hoops season. GO DUKE! (The team EVERYONE loves to hate… or love… more in the former categor.) Bring it on!
Great article Bubba! As a long-time Tiger fan, I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop on Saturday. After all, Clemson usually has a bad habit of finding a way to lose a close game. Not this year! It seems that Dabo has finally put a team together that’s not only full of talent, but also shows the spirit of a championship team. I know, I know. It’s early in the season and, God forbid, I don’t want to put the hex on them. Still, I wonder if they can carry this momentum through the rest of the season. Comparison with the 1981 team? Sure! Anything can happen if you want it bad enough!
Bubba,
Though the Tigers have clawed there way to 8, curiously this blog has not yet broken into the top 25. What say you?
Jamie Cuddihy
(fellow tiger just keeping the big guy humble)
This is shaping up to be a magical season but I for one can not forget the 2000 debacle from 8-0 to a flop of a season after a shellacking at the hands of Michael Vick and VT in the gator bowl. I will say I do see something in Dabo’s teams that I never saw in Bowdens, A will to win, these guys haven’t given up on a game yet in Dabo’s tenure.
I was a sophomore in 1981. My son is a sophomore now. Would love to see a repeat on the 30 year anniversary. However, there is a lot more season to go.
Go Tigers! Stay humble, play for each other, your coaches, Clemson, and “bust the other team in the mouth,” figuratively speaking.
The Tigers are playing with a lot of confidence. The question is whether they can sustain this momentum without a letdown against Boston College. It’s a win at home on paper, but that’s way you play the game. This week will show the team’s level of maturity. Go Tigers!
Correction: That’s “WHY” you play the game.
OK all my Gamecock friends, why so quiet. It is Wednesday and time to start getting cranked up for a “Whip Kentucky” weekend. Just because we stumped our toe against Auburn, doesn’t mean we aren’t going to kill Kentucky. Took me a couple of days to get over it but, once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock. I’m a Gamecock born and raised (or reared, as my mother would correct me). Also, you folks that are upset because Garcia was benched for Shaw, It isn’t the end of the world. Shaw starts and gets some more experience. If he steps up, we are on our way to developing next years quarterback. If he can’t step up, we can put Garcia in as we did the first game. If you ask me, it’s a win/win. Of course that is, if our wonderful head coach can make the right calls at the right time. But hey, I’ll even give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. LET’S GO GAMECOCKS !!! Oh, and why no likes and coments on my latest Clemson jokes on facebook? I’m not backing off, just because they are now ranked 8th. You know why Clemson grads don’t eat baked beans when they cook out? They keep falling through the grill. Why do Clemson Alumni hang thier diplomas from thier rear view mirrors? So they can park in the handicapped spaces. And if Clemson is so great, why did Bubba go to Law School at USC and open a business in Columbia? GO GAMECOCKS
GoTigers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!