Hope | TigerNet

Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tuesday, December 02 2014

Hope

The excruciating five game losing streak to South Carolina could have meant a long off-season but Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile found a way to give Clemson Nation hope each year.

In 2009, the regular season ended with the loss to Carolina, but Clemson won the Atlantic Division, played in the ACC title game for the first time and won a bowl game against Kentucky.

After the 2010 loss, Swinney hired a new offensive coordinator in Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile and hope was once again renewed.

In 2011, the Tigers followed the loss to the Gamecocks with a win over Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game giving the Tigers its first ACC title since 1991.

After the 2012 loss, Clemson enjoyed a walk-off win over ninth ranked LSU.

Last season, Clemson beat seventh ranked Ohio State to give the Tigers its first win in a BCS bowl game.

This year the Tigers didn't win the division and won't be playing in Saturday's ACC title game in Charlotte and they may not win a bowl game, but fans were given hope for the future with a dominating performance against the arch rival this past weekend.

We saw Clemson dominate the Gamecocks in every aspect of the game and the feeling around the program is the rivalry has once again turned back in Clemson's favor.

You never know what a program will really look like nine months before next season's games will be played, but on paper I see reason for optimism in the rivalry. South Carolina will enter the season with major question marks at quarterback. The Gamecocks may lose Mike Davis to the NFL draft. I like Pharroh Cooper at wide receiver but I am not impressed with the rest of the unit. Jerrell Adams has been good at tight end but depth may be an issue there and the offensive line loses its two best players in Corey Robinson and A.J. Cann.

On defense the Gamecocks were awful in 2014 and lose J.T. Surratt, Brison Williams and Sharrod Golightly. I like Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton, but no one else on defense impressed me at any point this past season.

South Carolina is hoping to close strong in this recruiting class and answers could emerge on defense, but the schedule looks brutal next season and I think it could be a second straight long season in Columbia.

Meanwhile Clemson has reasons for optimism. Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile needs to stay healthy but has as much potential as any offensive player in the country next season.

The running game looked much better in the last half of the season when Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile rushed for over 500 yards in the last five games of the season including 191 against the Gamecocks. Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 5-11, 214
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile had 100 yards in the only full game he has played in his career. The Tigers also get back Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 199
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile, Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile and C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-10, 203
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile.

The Tigers return Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile, Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC
View Full Profile and Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 204
Moore, SC
View Full Profile at wide receiver and add Ray Ray McCloud and Deon Cain next season.

The tight end position should be loaded with Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile returning and future star Milan RichardMilan Richard
Fr. Tight End
#80 6-3, 243
Savannah, GA
View Full Profile coming off of a redshirt season.

The offensive line will miss Kalon DavisKalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 340
Chester, SC
View Full Profile, Reid WebsterReid Webster
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#77 6-3, 300
Woodstock, GA
View Full Profile and David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 323
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile but both centers come back. Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-7, 285
Brooklyn, NY
View Full Profile, Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 283
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile, Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS Fr. Offensive Guard
#55 6-2, 322
Marston, NC
View Full Profile and Eric MacClain may be pushed by a terrific freshman class getting here in January.

Offensively, there is reason to like the running game with the emergence of Gallman and Dye. The passing game has talented wide outs like we experienced in the Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile, Nuke Hopkins and Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile days.

Defensively, big names will need to be replaced and I expect a step back from this year's unit which was the best in the country. But D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 322
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile, Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 294
Mooresboro, NC
View Full Profile, Scott PaganoScott Pagano
RS Fr. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-4, 292
Honolulu, HI
View Full Profile, Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile, Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
RS So. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC
View Full Profile, Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 5-11, 235
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile, BJ Goodson, Kellen JonesKellen Jones
RS Jr. Linebacker
#52 6-1, 233
Houston, TX
View Full Profile, Korrin WigginsKorrin Wiggins
So. Defensive Back
#12 5-11, 190
Durham, NC
View Full Profile, Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Jr. Safety
#11 6-0, 210
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile, Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 215
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile, MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile and TJ Green give the staff hope on defense.

This off-season will be different than the past five. Dominating your arch rival and Deshaun Watson have a way of making the off-season a lot brighter around here.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
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