Tigers not getting caught up in the hype

Defensive end Malliciah Goodman says he doesn't watch ESPN or any football games.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Oct 24 20:52:50 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Don’t expect defensive end Malliciah Goodman Malliciah Goodman
Jr. Defensive End
#97 6-4, 280
Florence, SC
View Full Profile to get caught up in the hype of Clemson’s number six national ranking or their number five ranking in the BCS.

Not unless the Discovery Channel starts airing college football.

The junior from Florence said on Monday during interviews at the WestZone that he doesn’t pay attention to outside influences.

"I don't watch ESPN. I don't read the paper. I don't watch college games,” Goodman said. “I don't watch NFL games. I usually watch the Discovery Channel. I get kind of tired of football after a whole week of doing it. I don't really pay attention to that stuff."

Goodman said he doesn’t watch ESPN or read the paper for a reason.

“You can't pay attention to that stuff,” he said. “They will say Clemson is gonna lay that egg. We just have to stay within the family and believe in ourselves like we have been doing all year. Just take it one game at a time.”

Left guard Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS So. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 300
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile said he doesn’t even turn on the television, and with good reason.

“If I turn on the TV, it most likely will go to ESPN and I don’t want to see that or see the rankings,” he said. “I like to think that we are having a good season, but I want to take it one game at a time. I don’t want to look ahead. I don’t even look at our schedule. I don’t know who we play next – I just know that we have Georgia Tech this week.”

Thomas said that the team is taking its cue from head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile , who began Sunday night’s teleconference with the media by saying that he wouldn’t address the polls, rankings or the BCS.

“Coach Swinney has gotten to us,” Thomas said. “He has told to not get involved in the hype and just stay focused.”

Linebacker Tig Willard said his approach is the same, regardless of ranking.

“I treat every game the same,” Willard said. “Even if we were 0-8 I would still play hard. We are 8-0 and I am playing hard on every play. I know my teammates are doing the same. I had no clue about the BCS ranking until I got to class today. But it won't change the way I play.”