10 FSU things
1. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything quite like S DeAndre McDaniel pointing to FSU QB Christian Ponder after that INT with under 4 minutes to go, basically issuing a mano-y-mano challenge as their paths converged down the sideline.
McDaniel is a bad mutha.
Sure, McDaniel doesn’t do it if Clemson is down 9 instead of up 9. But I don’t begrudge him for getting caught up in the moment, and it’s not as if Ponder couldn’t have tried other means of tackling McDaniel than lowering his throwing shoulder, for goodness’ sake.
As I wrote for my Monday column, I thought the play embodies the spirit Dabo Swinney has instilled in these Tigers.
Before, they feebly braced for their big-game collisions and played not to lose in big games (although to be fair, not nearly as much in the 2007 game w/ Boston College). Now they may get punched, but they counter-punch right back, and if they lose, so be it.
The question isn’t whether McDaniel will play on Sundays. It’s how soon.
Enter the NFL Draft this year and probably be a second-round pick – you usually see just 1-2 safeties go in the first round, and Tennessee’s Eric Berry has top dog locked up, with USC’s Taylor Mays living on his rep thereafter.
If you’re McDaniel, do you take the prize and go pro, or wait to see what’s behind door No. 2 …
Because there’s no reason to believe McDaniel isn’t in the same league as Berry. But he wouldn’t be perceived as a comparable pro prospect because Berry has carried the profile of being an elite guy for more than a year now, which is a major factor in the staying power of his draft status.
If Berry would have come out last year, he’d probably have been a late-first rounder to early 2nd, too.
If McDaniel returns, he puts himself in position to be a top-15 draftee.
Or he could get hurt and have his stock plummet. There’s no definitely correct answer.
I think McDaniel turns pro, in as much because he will feel lots of external pressure to do so. We shall see.
2. What an incredibly fickle industry, this athletics.
AD Terry Don Phillips was grilled on message boards earlier this season for his penny-pinching decision to promote the receivers coach.
Now there isn’t a peep, and Swinney’s smelling like roses for the manner in which he has given the Tigers an attitude adjustment.
Reminds me of all the questions I received after the Maryland loss on whether Swinney would be fired at season’s end.
You’ve gotta let things play out.
Right now, Swinney & staff are geniuses. By the same token, the ashes on that fire could be stoked if the Tigers go in the tank these next three games.
Winning cures an awful lot of ills. Losing invariably leads to scrutiny of the methodology. And the truth probably lies somewhere in between – things are never as good or bad as they may seem.
Not sure why I just went all Phil Jackson there …
3. Maybe because it’s rather bizarre to witness a coach chest-bumping a kicker when he connects on the first of his five kicks, a simple extra point?
Don’t know what percentage, but some of the blame for Clemson’s five missed point-afters and field goals has to be laid on redshirt freshman snapper Matt Skinner.
Skinner has been saved on a number of occasions by punter Dawson Zimmerman and holder Michael Wade. But Skinner’s fastball wasn’t catching much of the plate Saturday night, sailing high and outside for Wade on placekicks.
4. That said, this is one of the reasons why Richard Jackson had so much ground to make up to gain the staff’s trust in the preseason.
Jackson responded to adversity well early in the season, but in recent weeks we’ve started seeing the mental side of the game get the best of him. And that was always viewed has his greatest weakness as a player – he beats himself up over a failure.
A bad kick sticks with him. Whereas if Kyle Parker throws a pick-6, he shrugs it off and doesn’t appear to let a mistake bother him again.
It’s gonna be real interesting to see whether Jackson or redshirt freshman Spencer Benton wins this week’s competition to start at N.C. State.
5. It’s about time to become resigned
to the fact that this year’s offensive line just isn’t going to generate much of a push against anyone. If they couldn’t bulldoze Coastal Carolina, Maryland or FSU, it ain’t gonna happen.
But they also deserve credit for carrying out the proper assignments and having the right positioning/technique to create the lanes C.J. Spiller and Andre Ellington exploited in the fourth quarter.
LT Chris Hairston has his worst pass-blocking performance in recent memory, RG Antoine McClain has a boneheaded, drive-killing false start in the red zone – and the Tigers rush for 241 yards.
They haven’t impeded Clemson’s offense, and have generally given Parker sufficient time in the pocket. I think OC Billy Napier would have accepted those terms in the preseason.
6. The 2006 Georgia Tech atmosphere was pretty electric. It was a powerful scene to be on the sidelines at the end of last year’s USC beatdown to here the crowd thunderously chanting the names of Swinney and James Davis.
This is just my fourth season covering the Tigers, but I’m not sure I’ve experienced a scene that typified what Clemson wants its football product to be than when Death Valley rocked to the tune of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” during the timeout before the team’s final kickoff.
The Tigers had just rammed its running game down FSU’s throats in the fourth quarter, exhibiting the character and toughness folks relate to a Danny Ford team. (So it was fitting the crowd responded to a song from 1977, however catchy and macho the anthem).
Look at those hands — would Freddie Mercury have gotten a look as Clemson’s X receiver earlier this season?
Could feel Memorial Stadium shaking.
7. N.C. State won’t be a cakewalk. QB Russell Wilson is the latest in the long line of pass-run threats the Tigers have dealt with.
TE George Bryan has more catches than any tight end in the league, I believe, and WR Owen Spencer is accomplished as a deep-ball threat.
Also not sure which secondary has been the bigger sieve – the Wolfpack’s or FSU’s.
8. If you recall, Clemson’s odd connection with frosh WR Bryce McNeal of Minnesota began when Swinney, then the receivers coach, had a grad assistant phone one recruiting service’s top-10 national WR prospects to gauge their interest in the Tigers.
With the way the tight ends have FINALLY become a focal part of the passing game – they had two of four touchdown catches vs. FSU – I’d be back on the phones, working to lure next year’s No. 2 TE behind Dwayne Allen (although maybe that’s their bait to try and retain sorta commit Victor Beasley).
Also makes me wonder what Napier could do if he had one-time Clemson target Rob Gronkowski at his disposal.
9. Clemson men’s hoops – likewise ranked No. 24 – tips off Friday night, and it figures to largely fly under the local radar so long as football remains legalized.
Took in the exhibition against Francis Marion, and will pass on some observations in an entry later this week.
What I took is that this isn’t another one of those 17-0 start teams – perhaps for better more than worse.
Those were veteran teams where you already had a feel for where there their strengths and weaknesses lied. There were benefits to exploding out of the blocks – confidence and public recognition chief among them – but the Tigers generally leveled off as others’ superior or comparable talent matured to negate Clemson’s experience advantage.
There are going to be growing pains and offensive lapses this season, and I’m not sure that at third in the ACC, the Tigers aren’t overrated (although if UNC and Duke are predicted favorites, then it’s all about precedent. For my money, Florida State is the surest commodity this season).
But I’d argue they have a much higher ceiling potential than they did a year ago, and all that hinges on how much the four freshmen develop as the season progresses.
Wanted to pass along that there’s one injury worth monitoring – F/C Devin Booker has been experiencing a “hot spot” on the front of one of his lower legs, and Oliver Purnell said they have been taking precautions in hope that it does not grow into a stress fracture.
D. Booker didn’t really practice last week, which is why he got all of about 4 minutes in the exhibition.
10. This ACC football race is a reminder for why Clemson has to overcome an obstacle that its recent competitors have not.
Since 2006, the Tigers have been reminded on a weekly basis where they stand in their quest to win the Atlantic Division title. It’s the standard their seasons have been defined by, so it’s all they hear from classmates, family, media, etc.
Half of what you’ve read or heard in the media about Clemson has regarded its title hopes, and there will be no shortage of discussion these next two weeks.
The other horse in the race is Boston College.
Try finding stories about the Eagles’ division prospects in their media outlets. There aren’t even daily stories from Boston College practice, whereas here, there are more than twice as many outlets that produce a feature, notebook and blog on a daily basis.
The last three Atlantic titlists (Wake Forest in ’06, B.C. in ’07 and ’08) largely could go about their business without much external pressure.
Perhaps it’s just a coincidence, but I find it an interesting one.
Which leads me to this question for the masses …
As much build-up as the Tigers will have endured, how could they not have a cathartic sigh of relief if they take care of business these next two weeks – which could spell Letdown City for their game at rival USC.
As long as some of you have waited for Clemson to vie for the ACC title, would you, right now, sacrifice a loss to USC for an ACC title game berth (and presumed rematch with Georgia Tech)?
I don’t see how you couldn’t, or wouldn’t on a yearly basis – conference ramifications trump rivalry game in my book. Then again, I’m neither a fan nor a paying customer.
12 Comments to “10 FSU things”
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Clemson Beat writer Paul Strelow blogs about Clemson University athletics.
While its not really an either/or question, yes, I would trade an ACC Championship in a heartbeat for a win over the Gamecocks.
That said, I don’t see it playing out like that. Even if we beat NCS and VA and have a bit of a let down, I think we’ll be more enthusiastic than USC. I see them losing big to FL and than having a week to think about their annual slide. Then watch them walk into Williams Brice with their eyes to the ground just like Death Valley last year.
Paul,
As always, another voluminous amount of top-notch information and analysis.
Some questions and comments: I’m as orange-blooded as they get, but I have to agree with you, a berth in the ACC championship outweighs a win over the Roosters. The prestige, the banner and the potential BCS bowl appearance are much more important. (BTW, it’s easy to say that when you dominate your rival like Clemson does)
Clarify this for me, is the Atlantic “champ” the team with the best record versus the division or the team with the best overall ACC record? Does the UVa game really matter since they’re in the Coastal?
Just think what this team could be with a top flight O-line.
So is D Booker in danger of losing the season? I know FM is a tomato can, but how did Bobo and Grant look? One of those guys is going to have to play a major role this year unless D Booker is off-the-charts.
I was thinking the same thing over the weekend. If Clemson beats NC State and UVA, to win the division and reach its first ACC Championship game, then the South Carolina game is just icing on the cake.
I don’t want to say that I don’t care if they beat SC or not (because I do), but if you offered me that trade straight up, Id take it. We’ve been waiting 19 years for this!
Of the 3 teams remaining on Clemson’s regular season schedule, USC is the worst. That said, an ACC championship is far more important than beating USC. Like all Clemson fans, I expect both.
And you’re right… McDaniel is indeed a bad mutha. I would be very surprised if he didn’t bolt for the NFL considering his situation and, more importantly, his likely draft position. But the difference between being the 20th guy picked (2011 draft) and the 50th guy picked (2010 draft) will buy a lot of beachfront property in Florida.
It’s kinda funny the comment about item 2 above because I remember a certain writer for The State writing about “Is the Tiger Season Still Salvageable” even before the Maryland loss. How funny you should now mention that we should let the season play out before making preemptive decisions like that. Hypocrite.
Loyal,
I’d LOVE to know what you plucked from that TCU follow that suggested I rushed to judgment AGAINST Swinney. I primarily stand accused of not taking a firm stand one way or another, both after Clemson’s wins and losses.
At the risk of consuming the reply category, here’s the entire aforementioned column.
If you think that’s saying Swinney can’t or won’t do it, well, then I will have to just respectfully disagree with your view of the context.
****
CLEMSON – Prior to Saturday, the last time Clemson faced a higher-ranked nonconference opponent in the regular season was 2003, when No. 11 Georgia christened the year with a thorough 30-0 clubbing.
In the sullen aftermath, a fan passing our staff photographer requested he not make the Tigers look too bad in the next day’s paper.
Um, how?
Same theme applied yesterday, today and for what figures to be Clemson’s slogan through 2009: Till proven otherwise.
“I really like the mentality of our team, and I think we’ve done a lot in changing the mentality,” coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. “Now we just have to teach them how to win.”
In and of itself, the Tigers’ 14-10 loss Saturday to No. 14 TCU was nothing to be ashamed of. Foremost, it supplied another reason why USC athletic director Eric Hyman dials his last football hire whenever Steve Spurrier hangs it up.
Plenty of folks, myself included, predicted Clemson would have a 2-2 record at this juncture.
Yet there was consensus sentiment the opening four games of Swinney’s first full season were supposed to tell us a lot about the Tigers’ direction – which, to be fair, might be flawed rush to judgment because of the small sample size.
But at a minimum, what we’ve seen so far has to be frustrating for Clemson’s fan base because in terms of football philosophy, it got what it asked for in Swinney: the antithesis to former coach Tommy Bowden and his staff’s way of doing things.
Dynamic offensive players C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are being relied on to the opposite extreme, with 56.7 percent of the offensive yardage having funneled through them. The passing game takes an abundance of shots downfield; there has been no shortage of attempts to establish a power running game and toughness mind-set; and the defense has stuck to a swashbuckling, risk-taking methodology.
Still, the outcomes have followed the same formulaic pattern.
Offense struggles, particularly in the red zone. Defense largely does its part, but nonetheless surrenders the deciding fourth-quarter score. Then the Tigers shoot themselves in the foot during their frantic rally attempt.
Clemson has lost eight in a row to top-25 opponents, including three under Swinney’s watch. Eight of their last 10 losses have come by a touchdown or less, four of five on Swinney’s dime.
To their contrasting ends, as much as Bowden irritated message board posters with explanations of being one play away or (insert high-profile coach) has endured the same problem, Swinney opened his Sunday teleconference with reporters by proactively but tactfully calling out Clemson’s most glaring weakness.
“This is a team that really believes they can win,” Swinney said. “I think they expect to win. Now they have to learn how to win. We have to teach them how to win. That’s playing with a little more poise, a little better technique, finishing on the plays that are there.”
“As I look at this team, I just believe in what we’re doing. We’re better, we’re tougher, we’re more physical, we’re a closer team. We can’t lose confidence because I really believe we’re doing the right things.”
Swinney went on to suggest that while Clemson isn’t a national title contender yet, it can certainly be an ACC contender, especially in the Atlantic Division. Everything we’ve witnessed from Florida State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Boston College and this week’s road opponent, Maryland (1-3, 0-0), validates the notion.
“We could have played Central Michigan (last) week or could have played Idaho (last) week, but I’m glad we played TCU. I’m glad we’re sitting here today sick having lost a tough game to TCU because I believe it’s going to pay off for us.”
Swinney meant the entire team, but the reference is applicable to he and his staff as well.
Lots of new coaches seek to change a culture of losing.
Swinney’s challenge is subtly different; Clemson just hasn’t won enough, especially against the caliber of opponents believed of comparable measure.
It’s one thing to impart the Tigers’ desired philosophies.
It’s another to elicit the level of performance in which Clemson does more than simply accrue another near-miss.
The Tigers’ season will ultimately be judged on whether they win the division and reach the ACC title game, so rendering a verdict on Swinney and staff is arguably premature.
The first four games have served as a refresher on what Clemson has lacked to get there – as well as a reminder of the here-we-go-again environment that has contributed to the cycle.
Swinney made light of the Tigers’ recurring run-ins with rain storms, but the joke was apropros.
“Sure am glad the sun came out today,” Swinney said. “Was not sure if we’d ever see it again.”
I walk into this debate a novice, an out-of-stater, someone who is following Clemson football for only his second year since his daughter is a sophomore. But I know about rivalries. I graduated from UCLA which has its own USC rivalry (I gave my approval to my daughter going out of state to college by telling her that in choosing Clemson “we could both hate USC”.) But I would take a loss to USC (Los Angeles) any day of the week if the Bruins were assured of playing in the Rose Bowl. Same in this case: a chance to appear in the Orange Bowl with its huge tv audience and big payday far surpasses beating a non-conference in state rival. It is all about the Tigers winning the ACC.
Paul: Don’t get baited by us posters. You don’t need to defend anything. Your published pieces stand alone, for good or ill we can take ‘em or leave ‘em. Personally, I think you’re not biased enough towards the Tigers. But that probably means you’re doing your job.
Question: Which would you rather have – 2 more ACC wins and a trip to Tampa OR a win over USC?
Answer: To quote Radio from the movie “Radio” when the waitress asked him which pie he wanted a slice from – BOTH!
Seahawks 92:
It’s overall record vs. ACC opponents, not just the record within the Atlantic Division. So the UVa. game counts.
Now, record w/in the Atlantic is the No. 2 tiebreaker in a multi-team tie (after head-to-head record), so that record could mean something in other years (or if Clemson and BC both lose at least two more, at which point the Atlantic coaches should just all meet at a hub Waffle House and have a coin flip, the ol’ prep football way).
J. Grant — don’t see a discernable difference in his abilities, although who’s to say a leading role won’t lead him to play with greater confidence.
Bobo — don’t think he’ll be any more or less a factor than last season, barring injuries to others.
D. Booker — only had 4 minutes to go by, but from what I saw of him in a summer league game, he is as I’d heard he’d be — more physical than Trevor, less refined. Like Trevor as a frosh, his defensive recognition is rather lacking, which isn’t unexpected for a newcomer in OP’s system. But he also needs to ratchet up the intensity with which he plays (another thing Trevor had to do, too). Much more reliant on a back-to-the-basket game offensively (or at least he should be). Has a nice fadeaway turnaround when on the left block. I’d have him starting by midseason.
Would I trade a loss to SCar for an ACC title? Heck, if Clemson wins the next two ACC games, I’d like to see Clemson forfeit to the Gamecocks so that Clemson could rest up and prepare for the ACCCG!
Paul: Your analyses are excellent.
Clemson’s coaching (especially the OC’s performance) were relatively poor earlier in the year, and warranted scrutiny. (E.g. Napier failed to game-plan for GT’s future NFL DE, Morgan, and Napier failed to utilize the TE passing game when the WR passing game wasn’t working.) It’s pretty clear that Napier has learned from his mistakes and is doing a much better job now, including utilizing the TE passing game much more. Of course there were other contributing factors in Clemson’s losses, but it makes me wonder if Clemson might be undefeated or at least Top 10 if Dabo had hired a seasoned OC, like he did in hiring Steele. Oh well. Napier is doing a pretty good job recently so…
Go Tigers!
You’re right McDaniel is ‘bad’ as in good. Ponder had no business takin him on. FSU is dead, too late for heroics.