Wednesday August 16, 2006

Go Canes!; Ice Cream Update

Go Canes!
On the night of November 6, 2004, I saw a few things I thought I would never see. My friends and wife accompanied me from a South Beach tailgate to what looked like the war zone in the Middle East. We left a bikini contest at the Clevelander Hotel and all of the glamour and glitz of one of the most famous beaches in the world around 4:00 PM. We arrived at perhaps the most dangerous football stadium in the country about 7:00 PM.

That night I saw more adult men fans wearing jerseys than any place I could have imagined. My friends and I were verbally attacked and attempted intimidation by guys that looked more like Tony Montana than Joe Montana. I don’t speak Spanish but I could make out most of their threats. I doubt any of them have gone back home to visit Fidel Castro since he has been in the hospital.

I also saw Clemson beat Miami in overtime that night. That monumental night I made a vow that because of the way I was treated at the dump they call the Orange Bowl that I would never, ever pull for Miami in an athletic event. That did not even last two years because this year I have to do what all Clemson fans need to do and that is pull for the Canes. It is just for one night, but on Labor Day Clemson fans should add a little green to their orange apparel when watching the FSU-Miami game on ABC.

The Seminoles are division rivals with Clemson and the Tigers need FSU to drop its opener in Miami. The Noles’ schedule eases up after the first two conference games at Miami and at home versus Clemson. I know that N.C. State has beaten FSU three of the last five meetings and I know the Seminoles are playing in Raleigh on a Thursday night but look what NC State did the last time they played on a Thursday night. FSU will beat NC State.

The Seminoles have lost six home games in the last seven years and Boston College, Virginia and Wake Forest will not win in Tallahassee this year. They have been susceptible at home but Raleigh and College Park are not the toughest places in the world to play.

Therefore, Clemson must beat Florida State in Tallahassee and it would greatly help the Tiger cause if the Hurricanes do what they normally do and that is beat the Noles in Miami.

For those that want to point out Boston College as a contender for the division be prepared for an argument. I believe Wake Forest, NC State and Maryland are tremendous long shots but have just as good of a shot at the division as BC. I can see a scenario where any of that foursome can win it but in my opinion the Eagles have no better shot than the other three. BC hosts Clemson and Virginia Tech but must play road games at FSU, Miami and Wake Forest.

I think NC State will win as many or more games this season than last. I know they lost all of that NFL talent but the Pack decided that the running game is important and I believe that NC State could be a factor in the division.

Wake Forest will field their best team in many years. They are deep and they are dangerous. Mark my words when I say Wake Forest will have a say in who wins the division. I am not saying they will win it but I am saying they are a tough out and will upset someone and take them out of the title chase.

I like many aspects of this Maryland team, but I know with two new coordinators it may be tough. The Terps are another tough out that will have a say in who wins the division but only through a spoiler’s role.

So that leads us back to Clemson and FSU. On a neutral site or in Clemson I would take the Tigers this season. I firmly believe that Clemson is as talented or more talented than FSU. I know they are better coached and better prepared. I also think they are in better condition. However, FSU is tough in Doak Campbell and Clemson has not been close there in many years.

Clemson will not have to beat FSU to win the division. We saw a 5-3 FSU team win the division last year. I think a team with two losses could win the division this season but the tiebreaker then becomes the factor so winning in Tallahassee would be the key.

This finally brings me back to my original point. Clemson has to go to Boston, Blacksburg and Winston-Salem. They host UNC, Georgia Tech, Maryland and NC State. The Tigers could lose in Tallahassee and still win the division if Miami wins on Labor Day. Clemson could win in Tallahassee and drop two other games in the conference and still win the division if Miami wins on Labor Day.

As hard as it is to say--hold on I think I can do it—“Go Canes!” Dang, the next thing you know I may be in Sports Authority buying my green Tyrone Moss jersey and learning Spanish.

Ice Cream Update
On the blog a few weeks ago I complained about ARA having the milkshakes and their decline in quality since the days they were made at Poole. Well last week I learned that the Class of 1955 got together and made the change back to the old way of doing things. The 55 Exchange is now located in the Hendrix Center and once again you can buy real Clemson ice cream and real Clemson milkshakes. In fact, they sell beef, chicken, pork, lamb and organic vegetables right from Clemson farms.

Dr. Johnny McGregor has returned to Clemson and his fine staff has things back in order. Last week, McGregor and his students brought me over milkshakes, ice cream and sausage. It was the way I remembered it from the P&A building—fantastic. I want to encourage you to go by the Hendrix Center and the 55 Exchange and get some real Clemson ice cream made by award-winning Clemson students. Thanks Dr. McGregor and the Class of 1955.

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