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Thursday October 28, 2010

TigerNet Talk #94: The Stretch Run - 10/28/10

After another slow start to a season, Clemson once again finds itself making a possible late season push. With the biggest games of the season ahead, it's paramount that the Tigers stay focused on the task at hand. Clemson still needs some help to get back to the ACC title game, but it's not completely out of the question. Avoid shooting yourself in the foot this weekend and anything can happen.

Boston College looks like a shell of themselves this year. Not that this team doesn't have any talent, but they are very limited at a number of positions. Clemson is 0-2 on the road this year and Boston College probably is the cure for that. Although the Eagles have proven to be a difficult test in the past, I don't see that this weekend.

A win is never certain, but this one is pretty close. I hate to give away my prediction, but sometimes the cards fall your way. Clemson's defense is playing significantly better football, De'Quan Bowers has been a beast as of late. Bowers leads the nation in sacks and tackles for loss, he has become the difference maker Clemson fans expected when he signed. Expect Bowers to increase his numbers in this Saturday's game.

On the flip side, the Tigers offense has also improved and Kyle Parker needs to gain more confidence if Clemson is going to close the season strong. Boston Colleges poor secondary should allow for a down field assault. If the staff is willing to stretch the field, I think Clemson will be all the better for it.

Add in a heavy dose of Andre Ellington and I think it's too much for the Eagles to withstand. After looking at both teams, I would be shocked if the Eagles can keep this game reasonable. The stretch run is underway and Clemson seems be catching their stride.

Season Predictions
El Swann - 4-3
Xbox - 5-2
El Swann / Actual Score
Week #1 Clemson 35-14 / Clemson 35-10
Week #2 Clemson 49-6 / Clemson 58-21
Week #3 Auburn 27-24 / Auburn 27-24
Week #4 Clemson 24-17 / Miami 30-21
Week #5 Clemson 27-14 / UNC 21-16
Week #6 Clemson 27-17 / Clemson 31-7
Week #7 Georgia Tech 28-24 / Clemson 27-13

Direct Download (right-click, save-as)
TigerNet Talk #94 (16 MB)

Thursday October 21, 2010

TigerNet Talk #93: It Still Stings - 10/21/10

In what has to be one of the tightest series in the country over the past 15 years, Clemson and Georgia Tech get together in Death Valley. A rematch of the ACC Championship Game has been circled on schedules around the south all summer long. The sting from losing the title game to Georgia Tech last year hasn't worn off for most of the Clemson faithful. If you've forgotten, think Orange Bowl vs. Music City Bowl.

Since Clemson and Georgia Tech have matched up well in the past, I've never been shocked by the close outcomes that have occurred. Even this year, many would predict the final score being under a seven point margin, some might even venture to the three point spread. The problem is, no one can tell you who will come out on top. It always seems to be a toss up.

I'd normally lean towards Clemson based on home field advantage, but the offense that Georgia Tech runs can limit crowd noise. In fact, their long runs can take fans out of a game in a hurry. Those big plays, that they so often hit on, in the running game are back breakers. They can knock the wind out of the most loyal fans sails in a hurry. Add to that the confusion that begins to mount on the defensive side of the ball and the triple option can be deadly.

If the Yellow Jackets strike early with a big play or a sustained drive, I will be anxious to see how Clemson responds. Not only the team, but this fan base. There still seems to be some tension among those in attendance last week. Plus, the 31-7 win looks good in the papers, but a closer look at the stats tells a different story.

Coach Dabo Swinney is 0-3 against Georgia Tech since assuming his role at Clemson and a win against the Yellow Jackets would keep Clemson in the mix in the Atlantic Division. Another Clemson loss and any hopes of another run at the ACC Championship Game is history. There is no room for error as Florida State has been playing good football over the past few weekends. The odds of the Seminoles finding a bunch of conference losses looks slim.

I'm hoping that the Tigers defense can step up to the challenge this weekend. Forcing Georgia Tech to play behind the sticks will be a daunting task, if Clemson can achieve that goal it would be just what the doctor ordered.

Season Predictions
El Swann - 4-2
Xbox - 4-2
El Swann / Actual Score
Week #1 Clemson 35-14 / Clemson 35-10
Week #2 Clemson 49-6 / Clemson 58-21
Week #3 Auburn 27-24 / Auburn 27-24
Week #4 Clemson 24-17 / Miami 30-21
Week #5 Clemson 27-14 / UNC 21-16
Week #6 Clemson 27-17 / Clemson 31-7

Direct Download (right-click, save-as)
TigerNet Talk #93 (17 MB)

Thursday October 14, 2010

TigerNet Talk #92: Nothing to Say - 10/14/10

I wish I had more, but I really don't. I'm as disappointed as you are. Knowing that we beat ourselves multiple weekends in a row hurts. I could have imaged us going 1-2 through these three games, but 0-3 was hard to fathom. I expected at least one win.

The one thing I will note is that four game losing streaks don't happen around here too often. That might be the best news I can give you right now. The only seasons on record with four game losing streaks going back 40 years are 2004, 1998, 1975, 1972, and 1970. At least we've got that on our sides this weekend.

Go Tigers!

Season Predictions
El Swann - 3-2
Xbox - 3-2
El Swann / Actual Score
Week #1 Clemson 35-14 / Clemson 35-10
Week #2 Clemson 49-6 / Clemson 58-21
Week #3 Auburn 27-24 / Auburn 27-24
Week #4 Clemson 24-17 / Miami 30-21
Week #5 Clemson 27-14 / UNC 21-16

Direct Download (right-click, save-as)
TigerNet Talk #92 (18 MB)

Thursday October 07, 2010

TigerNet Talk #91: Honest Expectations - 10/07/10

Clemson tries to avoid falling further behind in the ACC in their first conference road test of the season. After a disappointing conference opener against Miami, the buzz around this team faded fast. In a few short hours, the expectations for this team, from a number of fans headed south in a hurry and it hasn't changed much since the end of the game on Saturday.

I heard talk of wanting a new starting quarterback, new head coach, new coordinators and new wide receivers and worse. To hear fans following the game is one thing, but to still hear it throughout the week?

Players make mistakes. Coaches make tough decisions. Some of those decisions are probably deemed to be poor and as a Clemson fan they hurt. Just don't give up on this team. Changes are being made, but winning consistently takes time. To throw it out and start over would put us back ten years.

Think back to last season. How did you feel after the Maryland loss?

It hurt, but the team learned from it. This team will learn from last weeks loss as well. Dabo Swinney is building a program and it takes time. There were plenty of bumps in the road in before Danny Ford won a national title. You don't become a contender overnight. There is no quick fix.

It's a process and I have seen tremendous growth since Swinney took over. Have we lost games I fully expected to win? Yes. But it doesn't mean you give up or throw in the towel. There are plenty of goals on the table that can still be achieved.

This team will stay focused on their goals- which are quite realistic. Unlike the goals many of our fans put on this team each year.

Let the season play out. You might still find yourself playing in Charlotte in December and I'm not talking about the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Direct Download (right-click, save-as)
TigerNet Talk #91 (18 MB)

Season Predictions
El Swann - 3-1
Xbox - 3-1

El Swann / Actual Score
Week #1 Clemson 35-14 / Clemson 35-10
Week #2 Clemson 49-6 / Clemson 58-21
Week #3 Auburn 27-24 / Auburn 27-24
Week #4 Clemson 24-17 / Miami 30-21