We’re now three games into the season and we are not totally devastated. The FAU game went as planned. The trip to Boston was heartbreaking. But Saturday’s triumph over Florida State provides solid footing for optimism. Of course extrapolation is a dangerous tool, especially as you move further away from your source data. Projecting 4 games into the future based on 3 games in the past falls in the ‘danger’ category. However, I just can’t help myself. Right now the glass is half 2/3rds full.

If there is a time for a letdown game, this is the time for it. Everyone remembers the Miami/Duke win/loss combo of 2004. There is no reason, however, why the FSU/UNC win/loss combo of 2006 should come into play. And let’s face it, the next 4 games are nothing compared to the last two. There’s no good reason why we shouldn’t be 6-1 when Georgia Tech comes to town. Why do I say that? There are four reasons: UNC, Louisiana Tech, Wake Forest, and Temple.

Certainly there is reason for concern. I won’t get into that here. Instead, this is just a brief reminder that these 4 teams just aren’t that good — or at least that’s how it looks right now.

UNC has played three home games, dropping two of them to Rutgers and Virginia Tech, and almost dropping the third to DI-AA Furman. Maybe their strength is playing on the road? Their offense isn’t statistically bad, but their rushing defense appears to be suspect.

La. Tech has only played two games: first getting killed by Nebraska then winning by 10 over DI-AA Nicholls State (who did only marginally worse against Nebraska). Like UNC, they have mediocre offensive stats, but their rushing defense is even worse, ranked at 106th nationally. They may be able to play A&M close next week, but that’s only because it is almost impossible to have confidence in Coach Fran’s team. Either way, they played patsy to Nebraska, then had to come from behind against patsy Nicholl’s State.

Wake Forest has stumbled along to a 3-0 start. Their rush defense may be good, but their offense lacks firepower. The near-loss to Duke has me questioning the team. What’s worse, is that their next two games look completely winnable as well. Despite the fawning man-love by the media for Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron, his team just doesn’t look good — they even got beat by Kentucky! After them, the Deacs face off against DI-AA Liberty. Wake is likely the toughest game on Liberty’s schedule this year. Still it is hard to gauge Wake since they don’t really play anyone.

Then there’s Temple. The Owls are averaging a DI-A worst 1 point per game. They’re also giving up more than 44 points per game, with each of the last two teams putting up 62.

We should win all these games by at least 20 points.
If we want to be considered among the best in the nation, we need to dominate the next four games.

The Hokies beat UNC in Chapel Hill by 25. La. Tech fell by 39 to Nebraska. Wake Forest almost lost to Duke who put up goose eggs against Richmond and Virginia Tech. Temple is just sad.

The early line against UNC has us favored by 16. Furman put up 42 against them. La. Tech and Temple have cupcake written all over them. And Wake? Well it’s time for us to smack the smirk off their faces.

Individually, none of the games looms very large. Collectively, they are 1/3 of our season and every bit as important as the games against Techs or South Carolina. This is the part of the season where we get to stretch our legs. And we’d better damn well do it.

Shoeless has put together a highlight film for the game against FAU. I haven’t seen it yet, but there’s no reason to think it won’t be great.

In a 54-6 win, there are going to be a lot of good and interesting numbers. Here’s what stands out:

Davis was the leading rusher, followed by Merriweather, and Spiller. Davis ran 14 times for 94 yards and 6.7 per carry. Reggie was more efficient, getting 9 touches for 76 yards and 8.3 per carry. Spiller managed just 18 yards on 6 carries for a very human 3 yard per run average.

Proctor did well passing. He threw 20 times for 13 completions with 1 interception and 166 yards. For such a huge win, it is disappointing to see backup Cullen Harper getting so few snaps. Harper was in for 2 forgettable drives. Each drive started with first down runs followed by 3 plays and a punt. Harper would have gotten more snaps, but Jacoby Ford had a 92 yard punt return and Sergio Gilliam had a 31 yard fumble return late in the game.

The top receivers, not surprisingly, were Chansi Stuckey, Rendrick Taylor, and Aaron Kelly. Stuckey had 5 catches for 66 yards. Taylor had 3 for 34, and Kelly had 2 for 21. Each receiver averaged over 7 yards per catch. The team as a whole averaged 12.4 yards per catch.

The special teams game was highlighted by an absolute lack of punting; there were zero attempts (which speaks to offensive turnover problems). Also, normally reliable Jad Dean was also a bit off. He missed a PAT and 32 yard field goal try. Dean did hit 6 PATs and field goals from 25 and 45 yards. He also had 4 touchbacks on 10 kickoffs.

Any questions?

The Gnomes traveled to Death Valley Saturday for the 54-6 shellacking of Florida Atlantic. That’s a lot of points.

A day of sun and tailgating was the perfect remedy for many painful months sans college football.

This gnome, however is still on the road, and the others are planning and executing plans for Labor Day. Look for more discussion and analysis in the upcoming days.

Without further ado, your weekly Clemson Football weather forecast.

Initial tailgating will be a bit sticky and the relative humidity will be a bit high as the sun burns through some early clouds. Expect it to be a beautiful day to kickoff the season in Death Valley though as we should be approaching the high temp of 84 shortly after kickoff.

In-stadium temps will be a few degrees higher after a rather comfortable morning. Keep in mind that 9 on the UV scale when applying the sunscreen, and adding a water in after a few beverages, as the sun will be at it’s peak during the tailgating hours though it will be hotter after kickoff, than it is at noon.

For those hanging around for a little post game celebration, expect a very pleasant evening after the sun dips over the horizon and the temps hover in the mid to upper 70’s. Be prepared for a few mosquitoes though as they will be out strong after the recent rain. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the afternoon and evening hours but only at a 20-30% expectancy rate. The real heat will be felt by the FAU offensive backfield and the only thing expected to fall from the skies are bombs on the Owl Defense in a performance that should shut the critics up on whether Proctor can step up behind some guy named Whitehurst.

Also, The Gnomes thank Skippy for artistic assistance and article leads.