End the series

Nov 30, 2021, 8:50 AM

I’m trying to bring more interest into ending the Clemson/South Carolina series. I call it a series because it is no longer a rivalry. Clemson owns the series (wins 64% of the games).

That brings me to why we (South Carolina) should look to ending the series.

Since Clemson has built such a big lead and has developed into a football program that is at a level above South Carolina, it no longer makes sense for SC to continue.

It hurts SC dramatically in many ways, but especially in:
* Recruiting -game happens at the end of the year and is usually a beat down due to the talent level discrepancy
* Bowl appearances - Clemson either knocks us out of bowls (I saw at least 8 or 9 times when Clemson beat us before we picked up 6 wins) of knocks us down to a worse bowl via a public beat down

at the worst time of the year
* Momentum - having to play Clemson at the end of the season especially hurts this aspect. It’s great having a big loss right before a bowl game or to sit on the big loss over the complete off season.
Coaching - facing a powerful team like Clemson each year is not something that any coach would look forward to (especially for a non-conference game) and I believe that it effects who is willing to coach at SC (pretty unique situation to play a top 10 team out of conference each year)

I believe that when a difference in level of play is this great, a smart, intelligent scheduler should choose to end the series.

Scheduling is a huge aspect of football that is overlooked. It can change everything. Clemson does a great job at it. Play a tough team early, if you beat them it directs your schedule and increases morale, if they beat you, you have some games ahead to build momentum (win/win). I’m not bashing because I would do the same thing. Clemson is in the ACC. It’s a great conference but it’s undoubtedly not the most difficult. Which is great for Clemson. Some might say, well Clemson has been in this conference for a long time and it just sort of came about. I say, that it’s a great idea to remain there. It’s perfect to build a great season. It is what I would do as a scheduler. I also think it’s a great idea to keep SC on the schedule since they typically are not very good and they do add a reward with the SEC affiliation and additionally a great momentum/morale booster for the fans/rankings/bowl games.

On the other hand, like I mentioned previously, it’s really not a great idea/situation for SC.

During some of my conversations, I’ve heard people say…”well, that’s cowardly, face the fight”. I say, it’s a football game (and a business) not a war and should be considered based on risk/reward. I think that it’s cowardly not making a change.

That also brings me to another reason to end the series. Animosity. I’ve heard some say “it’s just good ribbing”. I have been around this series since I was 7 and I’ve seen a lot more bad things (arguments, relationships ending, fights, etc…) than good things. It’s fun for the winning team and not so much for the losing team. Clemson is having a lot more fun

SC doesn’t have to worry about SOS and would be perfectly fine finding a competitor that doesn’t dominate us and pick up maybe an extra win a season (which, by the way makes a huge difference). Clemson could easily find another team to fill the schedule.

You guys win

. You guys have a better program historically. You beat us nearly 65% of the time. It doesn’t make sense to continue playing this game.

I started this post here because I’ve seen it mentioned on this forum in the past to end the series. It actually came up first when I googled “end the series “ and I think that was 10 years ago. Maybe, we can get something done that will improve both programs.

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Like Coach Swinney says - adversity is good for you. Makes you stronger. Unless you run from it. Then it makes you weaker.

SC needs to use these beatdowns and this 7-0 run to challenge themselves and their program to improve. They (you?) seem content to be a middling SEC East program, but then get all upset when Clemson whoops your butt. Why not be content with that, too? You seemed pretty content playing Clemson during the 5-0 streak.

This is the fundamental coot problem. No nuts. No courage to stand up to the SEC or Clemson and say, yeah, you're better now, but we're going to do whatever it takes, put our beaks to the grindstone, work our tailfeathers off, and we're going to challenge each and every one of you - consistently.

I don't know what the core issue is in Cootville - AD, coaches, players, culture, etc - but a good leader will figure that out and develop a plan to overcome it. Maybe Beamer is the guy. We'll see. But the worst thing SC can do is quit on anything. It's what you've been doing and look where it's gotten you.

Get up, shake the dust and blood off, stand your ground, and work hard. Accept no excuses. Which basically means you need to become a Clemson fan.

End the series

Nice first post...

Re: End the series

Re: End the series

Or you could, you know, use it as a challenge to improve

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