Since Saturday’s loss, I’ve been thinking of just how to write what I wanted to write about why it’s time to part ways with Bowden. The situation has become more political, or perhaps more emotional than rational. LawtonFunk wrote to us before the game that he was “getting that Tommy West feeling [he] had back in 1997.” After the game I realized exactly what he meant. It’s just that instead of Tommy West, I’d use the name Larry Shyatt (just because I’m a little younger and wasn’t paying any attention during the Tommy West years). It usually felt like Shyatt’s teams could win any game. But deep down you just knew that they probably wouldn’t win the big ones, and you would never let yourself get too excited because you knew it wouldn’t be rewarded.

We’re in a similar era now. Nothing short of a miracle is going to bring back the faith and hope that most fans once had in Bowden. The only thing we can do now is make a change. And I know what change we have to make:

Barack Obama for Clemson Head Football Coach!

If you think I’m being facetious, let me tell you that I am, but only a little.

Let me also add that I think the Clemson beat writers, at least from what I have seen, have been doing a pretty good job in this situation. In particular, Larry Williams’ Trouble In Tigertown post from last night lays out thoughts very parallel to my own. This part about the little problems that continually recur is worth repeating:

For the 30th time in the last few years (slight exaggeration there), they saw a touchdown called back because of a penalty. They saw a litany of other mistakes cost their team the game…

Saturday was simply the latest in a long line of games in which critical errors — some would say boneheaded errors — sealed the Tigers’ demise. The fumbled punt by Jacoby Ford. The lost lateral on the screen pass. Not enough men on the line of scrimmage. The late hit by Xavier Dye…

Remember the 10-9 loss to Georgia Tech in 2005, when a touchdown was called back because the Tigers didn’t have enough men on the line of scrimmage?…

How about the 13-12 loss to Maryland in 2006? Remember that touchdown that was called back because — stop us if you’ve heard this one before — not enough men were on the field on a 4-yard touchdown run by James Davis?

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Cause, face it, cheering on Clemson just isn’t worth a SH!T anymore.

Hey, Bama is whoopin up on the Dawgs right now 31-0, if it was week 3 we would feel pretty damn good about our loss! Yay the mentality of mediocrity reigns supreme once you let hope die.

And to all those who have been here and read my Bowden defenses. I give up. Clemson played not to lose and was outscored 14-0 in the second half to a team that absolutely folded to the in the first half. The defense can only do so much so I don’t blame them (aside from continuously falling for the bootleg dink to the TE). It’s all on Spence and if it’s Spence’s fault, then it’s Bowdens fault for letting it play that way. As for the QB drama, I have no freaking clue what is going on there, Harper had very few downfield attempts and relied more on the screen. That made me think that Proctor was back under center.

I give up. Clemson’s pre-season hopes are severely dashed and continue to falter every week. I don’t think there will be a turnaround this year. Might as well sit back and enjoy the 7-5 train wreck one more year.

Props to the Defense for laying some serious hits and breakups as well as JD and Spiller for keeping the game interesting.

Oh and one more thing, I wish the refs would have spotted the ball for the home team like they did for the Terps!

This week’s forecast is short and sweet after taking a week off for an uninspiring home game and road trip to one of those other ACC games to see the Pack (and my darkhorse pick) upset the Pirates.
It’s gonna rain. Carolinas mired in the 60’s with rain most of Friday. Scattered showers with temps in the 70’s for the game.

On the field it will be all about the air attacks. Tigers continue to dink and dunk but finally find a way to go down field after the Fridge forces our hand by doing the same in the first half. Harper has most yardage of the season and Kelly get two TDs. This is a TV game with a lot of passing. Look for it to run at least 3.5 hours.

On the bright side, the temps should be nice and barring and afternoon thunderstorm, it should be pleasant. Gnomettes best bring some sleeves at least for the early tailgate. Layers recommended for the afternoon sun, and as always, coat up the sunscreen to be safe.

I’m continuing to claw my way out of the basement. I reckon that in 1 or 5 weeks, my goal of not being dead last should be well within reach.

At least we have 2 of the gnomes at the top of the list so that we don’t all look like total chumps.

Don’t forget to log in and make your picks for the week.

Time is not on my side. I’ve spent time the last two days putting word to page about the upcoming Clemson-Maryland game. Obviously, none of those words have actually made it to the blog. So now, to try to actually get something published before the game actually starts, I’ll leave you all with the following.

Living in Northern Virginia, as I do, I have the opportunity to see a lot of Maryland football games being replayed on TV. As such, I have gotten to see large chunks of their victories against both a ranked Cal team and a frequently-badly-beaten Eastern Michigan team.

Maryland undoubtedly deserves credit for winning those games. The fact is they’re 3-1 with a win over a top-25 team while we are top-25 team that’s 3-1 with wins over no one particularly important; makes our season-to-date pale in comparison, doesn’t it? Nonetheless, one is not left with the impression that Maryland is that good a football team. They are perhaps more opportunistic than good. The bad news for UMD and the good for Clemson is that Maryland’s defense, short of forcing turnovers, seems largely incapable of stopping people. Cal had a ton of yards and long drives, as did EMU. The UMD-EMU game would likely have been much different had Maryland not picked off a pass in the end zone early in the game after the Eagles had driven almost the entire length of the field.

Some journalists have suggested that the Tigers may be looking past Maryland to Wake Forest. If that is the case, Saturday will be an extremely long day. The keys to the game are to protect the ball and, most importantly, focus on beating the opponent. If Clemson plays to not lose, they will.

GO VOTE FOR THE BAND THAT SHAKES THE SOUTHLAND!

I was just glancing at the odds for ACC teams this week, and one of the lines really surprised me.

Clemson (-11.5) V. Maryland
Duke (-7) V. Virginia
Florida St. (-6) V. Colorado
Miami (-7) V. UNC
Nebraska (-6.5) V. Virginia Tech
South Florida (-8) V. NC State
Wake Forest (-15.5) V. Navy

Yes, Duke, that Duke is favored over Virginia. Ouch.

I’m not sure how I’d bet in our game, but I lean toward the Tigers.