Just some predictions about some current 2-0 teams...

Sep 14, 2017, 9:43 PM

I know everybody is Most Hyped for Louisville, but IMHO that's mostly a function of what happened last year.

Folks, Louisville got exposed down the stretch last year...and quite frankly, they're a worse team this year. They lost a lot on D, they lost almost all of their skill on offense though they do still have a couple of good WR's, and they lost a very good DC in Todd Grantham and replaced him with a guy in Peter Sirmon who finished 110th out of 127 FBS teams last year with Mississippi State. I not only don't think Louisville is a legit contender this year I actually think they'll finish fourth in the Atlantic...behind not just us but behind FSU and NC State as well, and I think even Wake Forest could give them some problems.

Oh, and their new C is going to be a problem. He looks like a worse version of Bobby Hutchinson. For those who remember Clemson recruiting at that level, I'm sure you shuddered a bit. This guy is worse. And he's got Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins sitting on his nose.

Not a knock on Lamar Jackson. I think he's still arguably the most dangerous player in college football. But that team has sprung some pretty substantial leaks around him. Bobby Petrino has always been a lousy recruiter who'd rather comb the ranks of JUCO's and transfer lists rather than sit in a living room, and he's known for leaving gutted locker rooms behind him when he jumps ship...which has been always, in the past. Petrino's in Year 4 now in his second stint at Louisville and that's the longest he's been anywhere.

Also, there is no more ephemeral team in college football than South Carolina. They were outgained almost 2-1 by NC State - and gave up over 500 yards in the process - and still somehow won. They gave up another slew to Missouri and in fact are giving up 464.5 yards per game, good for 107th out of 129 FBS teams this year. Their offense has gained only 302.5 yards per game in contrast...good for 113th nationally. They've been aided by some fluky bounces, turnovers, and the fact that Deebo Samuel has somehow housed it on kickoff returns in both games...but the stats and film say South Carolina is a bad football team getting extremely fortunate right now and that always tends to come out in the wash.

So if South Carolina thinks they're going to get Xavier Thomas, I'll just shake my head sadly. Teams with the 107th-ranked defense in college football don't usually land many 5-stars. Carrying on....

Just my own .02 worth. But if you take their really magical opening month from last year out of the equation there is absolutely nothing since to suggest Louisville can challenge us...just as there's even less to indicate there's actually something to worry about at South Carolina.

For what it's worth....

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Great post as always. I was saying over the summer that the talent between us and Louisville has been heading in opposite directions. While I admit we got away with one in 2014 the last two meetings have been much closer than they should have been. I do think Lamar is passing better this year but that could just be the result of who they've played. Louisville is basically Lamar and that's about it. We are better in almost every other position on the field. I think it will show this year. The gamecocks? What a joke. Their fans are crowing but the truth is they are not much better than last year if at all. Debo is doing really well. Jake looks the same. Like one of the Mannings said, "He's not going to set the world on fire." I know the talking heads really talk him up but he is not a great QB. You can tell he's a coach's son with some of the things he does but his arm talent is average at best. I may be wrong but I'm going off of what I've seen. Their defense? Total garbage. XT is his own man and I know a lot of homers are excited about the gamecocks but in November all the enthusiasm surrounding the gamecocks will be squashed. Any lies he's being told about closing the gap will be squashed. Again he's his own man but hopefully he will stick with his commitment and come to Clemson where we have a staff that has proven they are more than capable of helping him reach his full potential. Just my .02

Just some predictions about some current 2-0 teams...

Nicely done

Another solid post***

BEWM

So what are you predicting for the game?***

Sir?***

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