Ready for this Moment

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Sep 15 08:12:48 GMT-04:00 2015

Ready for this Moment

Yesterday was Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 207
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile 's birthday, and the 20-year old says, "I think I am ready for this moment."

Last year former Clemson player Harold Coleman told me that Watson was confident despite being a true freshman because he had been preparing for this moment for years. I thought it was a great point, and it looks like Watson is prepared for anything that has been thrown at him.

I also believe this team is ready for this moment. Louisville is 0-2 after blowing a lead at home against Houston this past weekend. One of the story lines Thursday night is the atmosphere in Papa John's Stadium. Louisville could have very easily and ranked in the top 25. Instead, the Cards are 0-2 and questions abound. A 2-0 crowd would have presented a different atmosphere than what Clemson will face this Thursday.

Coaches do have to be concerned about a team's first trip on the road each season. This is a good opponent, and it has traditionally been a tough place to play. Clemson is a young team. So how will the Tigers respond Thursday night to the first adversity of the season?

I believe this program is ready to take this next step. I believe in this staff. I believe in this talent level. I believe in Watson.

To be clear, this is not the biggest game of the year. Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Florida State and South Carolina are bigger games for this program. However, a loss to Louisville takes a little luster from the next game against Notre Dame. With each win, the stakes get bigger. If Clemson wins Thursday, the Notre Dame game could see two teams ranked in the top ten. A win over the Irish means the Georgia Tech game becomes the next monster. The FSU, then South Carolina. However, the first step comes Thursday night.

One thing we have seen in recent years in college football is each week you never know what team will show up. However, Clemson has been very consistent as a favorite under Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile . The Tigers win games they are supposed to win. They beat unranked opponents.

There are a lot of unknowns Thursday night. Louisville has played three quarterbacks so far this season. There are a bunch of transfers on defense. Will the Cards play like a 0-2 team and point fingers if adversity strikes early Thursday night? Or will Louisville try to save its season with a big win over a top 10 team?

Clemson has a bunch of questions as well. The Tigers are playing a ton of young players who will face a loud road crowd for the first time. Clemson has place-kicker concerns. The Tigers kick-off coverage was suspect this past weekend. Will the Tigers be able to run the ball on the road?

We will get some answers Thursday night, and the stakes could get even higher with a road win in a tough place to play.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

src="https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/ads/plyler/allstate_logo.gif" border=0>

border=0>

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, Mike Tolson, 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 ThompsonBrandon Thompson
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, 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, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile 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, Jay 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, Zach and Griffin Johnson, 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, Earl Gilstrap, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , Robert Summerville, Wendell Harrington, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert SmithRobert Smith
Safety (2011 - 2014)
#27 5-11, 215
St. George, SC
View Full Profile , Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Donna Springs, Elizabeth Bruner, Bobbi Simpson, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie CunninghamBennie Cunningham
Tight End (1972 - 1975)
#85 6-5, 250
Seneca, SC
View Full Profile , Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.