As in Wake Weekend Weather. It may be a month late getting here but fall is upon us this second weekend of November. The leaves are turning and orange is everywhere. Expect this to be the same in Death Valley for the noon game this week. Nothing but sunshine, perfect temps, and clear skies for the days this weekend with crisp to cold nights. Lows in Tiger Town will hover around 40 Friday night. The tailgate fields will be cool to say the least for the throngs of hearty tailgaters getting out a few hours prior to the early kickoff Saturday. Don’t let the cool temps fool you though. Midday sun in the stadium will keep things plenty warm starting at kick off. Don’t forget the sunscreen on the face unless you are a fan of the half face burn and raccoon eye look. Kickoff will see temps around 60, warming to a high in the mid to upper 60’s…we’ll call it 66. If you are in the shade, any breeze will be on the cool side. Overnight lows will drop to the mid 30’s. Be sure you have your allotment of anti freeze if you plan on carousing around town following the game. The drive home will be more of the same, sun and 60’s.
The carousing comment is made as I see plenty of folks sticking around and celebrating a win over the proverbial thorn in our side. Expect lots of post game tailgate action on a near perfect football day. Last year was our turn to be the spoiler, in the rain, in an otherwise magical Wake season. This year, the boys in Orange know what’s on the line. Next weeks night game is big and will mean a lot with regards to divisional, conference, and possibly even national rankings. However, it only means these things with a Clemson and BC win THIS week. I think Bowden and company. Wake has a chance to up their bowl tier prospects while stealing our mid/late season momentum and foiling any chance the Tigers have of sneaking into the ACCCG, after the early/mid season slump. Most of the D has seen the quirks of the Wake Offense and Riley Skinner in the pocket. The Wake D is tough against the run (according to ESPN.com) but give up a deuce and a quarter, through the air each week. Look for a steady dose of Thunder and Lightning early to see if Wake’s stacking the box, like most teams, will hold back Davis and Spiller. If so, Kelly and Grisham figure to be game changers if the Tigers break recent trends of keeping things too close for comfort against the Deacs. Either way, look for these two and the TE’s to punch it in the end zone for three Cullen Harper TD passes. History says this will be something like a 20-16 game, which I don’t like the sounds of. Why? Because Sam Swank for Wake is one of the top kickers in the ACC if not the NCAA, though I feel we are much more competent than in years past. I think if the team comes out focused on this game alone, and doesn’t get caught looking ahead (GT), it will be more like 30-13 and I’m going against my gut, and recent history and giving Tommy the nod for keeping the team focused and getting them fired up for this Noon, ESPN2, nationally televised affair.

Though we smacked a team last week, and yes 70 points looks good on the boards, I am only bringing back the full blown forecast (light-saber map included) with an asterisk. Beating Sister of St. Mary’s High School D doesn’t prove anything so I am looking for the lines to take control, make some room for the runners, and make last week’s protection for Harper the norm, not the exception. On the D side, I would like to see a highlight reel worthy hit or sack, not chasing some fluttering pass that likely will not be a pick six and getting jammed on the line.

On to the weather. It’s not going to be a pretty commute. It’s never pretty heading into the Nation’s Capital on a Friday afternoon with traffic but the weather is going to be terrible to start the weekend. Look for temps in the mid to low 60’s with rain, rain, and more rain. Saturday isn’t going to be pretty for tailgating. Showers are expected to hang in the area until midday or even mid afternoon. With kickoff at 3:30 this isn’t helping the tailgate scene. However, this gnome has been warned that roaming alone in some of the areas not far from campus is not advised. I recommend finding a nice watering hole in another part of town and taking advantage of public transportation en-masse with other Tiger faithful with just enough time to get to the game, ala BC last year.

Game conditions should be good in the stands though bringing the jacket or poncho along to sit on is recommended as the seats will be wet. Storms have been known to be late as well so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Highs projected to be around 70 at game time but I wouldn’t bet on anything higher than 65. Saturday evening will provide a good chance to cool off after another cardiac cats game. Lows around 50 should be a nice change for those traveling north in search of a dose of fall. Hopefully the boozing around town will be in celebration over what I project to be a close win, and not a heartbreaking loss. Conditions will favor the stronger ground game. Rain itself shouldn’t affect the air attack with grip but I project a slick track keeping the sharp cuts and pinpoint routes to a minimum. We need a big game out of the big uglies up front. Let Spiller and Davis run through some big holes with open field straight ahead. The speed and power will take over in the secondary at that point and things should be good. I recommend not leaving things on the foot of the kicking game either. Footing won’t be good in the center of the field late in the day so punching it in and getting the job done inside the red zone (or from downfield) will be key. Watch for the fat man on the other sideline to put on a coaching show in the second half. I would like to say we jump out early and cruise but I foresee this game being very reminiscent of FSU last year, requiring a big run play or two late in the game to secure a Tiger victory. Much closer than need be but with a little help from VT, it puts us right back in the race in the Atlantic and that much closer to not being in the Champs Sports/Car Care/Emerald Nut/Humanitarian Bowl carousel.

NOTE: Sorry about the light saber, not much time on my hands right now. Did what I could. Clem.

Modified Gnome weather map in the continuation: Read the rest of this entry »

The weather gnome is on pseudo-strike until the team shows a modicum of desire to kick someone’s ass up and down the field.
It will be about 80 by the half and sunny all day. Gametime is NOON for those that didn’t get the memo. For those rolling in early, expect a little dampness and some clouds this (Friday) evening. Central Michigan sucks this year, as the coach that brought them out of Directional Michigan Bottom 10 status the past season or so is now resurrecting Cincy. Sadly, highlights will probably be the floats on my field. Hopefully more than three will be worth a damn this year because I’m gonna be pissed if they dug a bunch of holes to put pure crap on display.

Oh, and no light saber for you!

Though we are officially in the Fall season the weekend weather in Raleigh won’t feel like it. Moderate temps and occasional showers for those rolling in or living in the RTP are for Friday. AM showers are expected but should be out of the area by kick off. Hope those going to tailgate have a tent. Temps are supposed to jump to the mid to upper 80’s that afternoon. Expect Carter Finley to feel a bit like a sauna for most of the afternoon. Remember, this game is on TV, so you’ll be in the stadium for a bit longer than the past two home games. If you are staying in the area through Sunday, expect a hot one. Highs will be back to the summer time 90’s. Note – Gnome weather forecasts are guaranteed, even on the road. We travel for a reason.
On the field, expect Spiller and Davis to scorch the Pack D. This should keep their ends from putting too much pressure on Harper who stays cool as a cucumber. Should their D keep our boys in check, watch for this game to be a low scoring grudge match with our revamped FG squad pulling at the W. Score guestimate using what’s under the pointy hat. Tigers 31- Pack 20 . Gut feeling Tigers 17 - Pack 13 padded with a late Tiger field goal.

Here it is folks, your weekly football weather forecast. Light-saber sold separately.
Wel begin to trend towards what we typically expect during the grid iron season, with Saturday being the warmest of the three days anyone heading to Tiger Town will experience. It’s still going to be hot. Projected high around 85 but it may not be until late in the afternoon. However, due to the overnight and early morning showers that have been projected, it could be a steam bath. We may get a good dose of “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” At least we won’t be wilting under the sun with temps in the mid 90’s in the tailgates and pushing 100+ in the stadium. When the sun pops though, be sure to have that sunscreen out, especially if your plans include pre and post game fun. The days may be getting a little shorter but the flaming ball in the sky will still leave you with quite sunglass and farmer tan line.
Look for the Paladins to get knocked off their horse early and often. It should be another great game for Harper and back field tandem to build stats. At the same time, expect to get another dose of Korn to keep the heat on Furman and hope for a better performance from the late game D.
Weather on Friday and Sunday should be about the same with highs around 80 and a decent chance of rain (Rain, what is rain?) on Friday. It should be great overall weather in God’s Country for man and gnome alike. Hopefully so as we celebrate eldest gnome’s two hundred and 30th birthday. Happy Birthday Clem!

Oh, and hot. Sounds like something from a Chinese menu but it’s this week’s Gnome forecast. Temps will be pushing 90+ by the end of the game. Your late morning pre-game tailgating will be a little warmer than you are thinking. Lows are projected around 70 but the humidity will be thick and you will break a sweat putting up the tents and dishes to catch the Gameday projections before heading in. The sun will be out all day so bring the sunscreen, shades, and maybe a cap. LA Monroe may be used to the heat and humidity but they haven’t been exposed to anything like this. Tiger’s sizzle under the sun, with temps on the field pushing 100+ by halftime. Warhawks wilt and wish for a quick return to their nest in LA. Keep an eye open for a Korn sighting. Bring plenty of fluids and drink a little water with your favorite pre-game beverage…you’ll need it.

Now it may be a little damp but I have faith and don’t think so. Weather projections are calling for seasonably moderate to cool temps around 80 for the high and upper 60’s for the lows Saturday and Sunday for those folks heading in to town on the normal weekend home game schedule. Great if you want to sip a beer on a porch between rain showers. Even better if you are with a female gnome as you won’t stink as bad from sweatin’ out the night before.

Look for the heat on Monday though. High’s projected around 85, but I think God loves football, especially in his country in upstate SC. I look for it to push the upper 80s with high humidity as thunderstorms will skirt the area and even give the faint of heart (or sober) a little chill, but alas, the only wetness will be the sweat rolling off the backs of 80,000 + rabid fans and the cool beverages sliding down their throats and firing the noise makers inside. On the field it will be sweltering, especially if you are Seminole. Look for the Jacoby Ford and CJ Spiller to leave a few burn marks the FSU D. Meanwhile the only thing able to take the breath from the FSU O faster than the Tiger entrance down The Hill, in what will be quite a steam bath, will be the LB core planting shoulders in their midsections while invading the backfield.

Monday night will be hot and steamy. After an exciting bout between a couple ACC heavyweights, a full day of tailgating, adrenaline running high, and blood pressure pumping, look for some interesting post game activity. Hopefully this gnome gets to participate, full contact style.

NOTE- This post was supposed to go up with the normal map Thursday then Friday.
Addendum to this…updated Weather.com is calling for sunny and 88 Monday in Tiger Town. Maybe they got a preview of this post and got on board. It was probably smart of them to do so. Don’t mess with the gnomes and the weather.

Yes folks, this gnome is back on patrol. I’ve been on expedition for a while for those damn Travelocity folks but I’m back to my true passion of Clemson Athletics and the responsibilities owed to reporting on them. I will say, I-85 is a beotch and needs some work, okay, a lot of work.

First and foremost, this weekend’s game. The gnomes will be heavily represented in the motherland this weekend with a bachelor party for a gnome friend and one gnome’s wedding plans in the area. Chief contributor Broken won’t be with us but hopefully can cheer on the women’s tennis as they visit his neck of the woods.

For those traveling in for the annual spring exhibition and hopefully a little golf, here is what you have in store:

Friday afternoon - high of roughly 72 with a fair amount of clouds. Friday evening will bring increasing cloudiness and a ceiling to hold in some of the spring warmth. Lows in the mid to upper forties. Have a jacket handy though; there will be a cool breeze out of the northeast.

Saturday should taunt us a little. Highs should hit about 70 for those at the O&W game. If you plan on getting a late round of golf in or watch the former players in a little flag football action, have a pullover handy; you are most likely getting a little wet. Know your shelter locations if you are on the golf course, thunder and lighting will most likely be present (and I’m not talking and James and CJ being on the course with you). Don’t let the clouds and breeze fool you. If you have winter pastiness going on, pack your sunscreen. That shadow under your cap at noon means you are getting sun. If you are like me, you’ll be glowing fox bait by the end of the game if you aren’t careful.

Expect a wet rest of the weekend as storms are expected to roll through for the night and on through Sunday with a low in the mid 50’s and little to no warming on Sunday as the winds pull in behind the front. Look for a friendly garage and beer pong game in true prep (reverse order of course) for the tailgating season that is only a few months away.

As for other sports this weekend here ya go. Women’s Tennis: Don’t plan on seeing anything that way unless it’s scheduled inside. You’ll have rain and strong storms pretty much all weekend, starting in the near future if not already. From the pics I’ve seen though, any indoor action could prove to be quite steamy. Dress accordingly.

Baseball at Wake- Hope you have a refund opportunity for that Sunday ticket. Expect the Saturday game to get started but odds are 50/50 they get cut short.

As for the hippies on campus, the hell with um. I thought those folks were typically against additional legislation but this crap doesn’t surprise me. I’ll be sure to honk the horn of my gas guzzling SUV as I pass their rally on the way to the game. We have architects, language majors, and art and music classes on campus. This activity is no huge surprise; we should just be glad that no more than a hundred or so students will actually attend, and half of those are guys that just want to get in the pants of some hippie chic that is going through her experimental phase in college. With that in mind, you might have the final sighting of the former rowing coach…if you know what this gnome means.