National Champions |
National Champions
I met with the Charleston County Clemson Club last Thursday night, and I told them Clemson was going to win the national championship. Then I softened it by adding, "if not this year then soon." I must admit this is not an original thought. Dabo Swinney made that statement in Arizona before the Tigers lost in the national title game last season and I firmly believe this. In my mind, each season now begins like the fans who were in attendance at a game where Nolan Ryan pitched. He had 773 career starts from 1973-1991, and he threw seven no-hitters. Every time he took the mound you knew there was a chance at a no-hitter. You couldn't have expected the next start to be one, but if you were watching that night, there a chance that game could be the next no-hitter. Every pitcher has a shot a no-hitter just like every team in the country has a chance to win the national title in football. However, Ryan always had a better shot at one, much like powers like Clemson and Alabama now do in football. So Saturday night in Auburn, AL Clemson begins its next shot at a national championship season. I remind you I wrote "begins its next shot at a national championship season." Clemson can't win the title Saturday night and probably can't lose it Saturday night, but it can begin its next shot. This next shot is the best I have seen in my lifetime. When Clemson won the national title in 1981, no one thought they had that shot. In many seasons since then, they have had that shot at a second title, but this is clearly the best chance I have seen. Dabo has put this program in rarified air. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Florida State and a few others are programs that have that chance this season, and several of those have that opportunity in the foreseeable future. No one knows what will happen this week. If we did, it might not be as fun. Some national powers will disappoint, others will surprise, but this window of opportunity will not be closing at Clemson anytime soon. I am not naive enough to believe Clemson will always be this good. I know there will be a disappointing season with Dabo at the wheel. I also know he won't be here forever and who knows how the successful the next guy will be? So as I get ready for game week and the opening of the season, I do so with unwavering enthusiasm. I have promised myself that I will enjoy every win and savior this great time in Clemson football history. I know that it is not a guarantee that this kind of era will ever happen again, but I also believe this program is on more of a solid foundation than ever before and the long-term outlook is brighter than ever. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself. Can you believe we are who we are and where we are? Can you believe we get to watch Deshaun Watson make another run at the Heisman? We get to see Wayne Gallman attempt to break his school record. Mike Williams is back, and so is Deon Cain. We get another season of Artavis Scott, Ray Ray McCloud, Hunter Renfrow, and Jordan Leggett. Can you believe some think we have the best offensive line in the country? Can you wait to see Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence line up on the same defensive line? Can you wait to see Ben Boulware tear someone's head off? Can you wait to get your first look at Trayvon Mullen? This is it. It is here, and we are blessed to be here to take in this 2016 season. And before you know it we will ask about how many days before the 2017 season begins. And that's not a bad thing either. Go Tigers! See ya in Auburn. Prayer List The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list. Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, 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, 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, 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, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefano, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert Smith, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Elizabeth Bruner, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie Cunningham, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Mary Carmen Harman, Derk Denton, Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Jerry Brown, Phil Compton, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley, Riley Cook, Dwayne Wood, Eileen Thomas, Larry Nimmons and Family, Chrissy Adams, Annie Gregory, Amy Black, Will Black, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
src="https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/ads/plyler/allstate_logo.gif" border=0>
border=0>
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now