I respect our opponents and appreciate the fact that the Clemson rivalry has been one that we have played from an underdog role for the majority of the last century. I also like to hear what our rivals talk about, gloat about and worry about. I will not go all “Sun-Tzu” again, but I do believe “know thy enemy.”
Here are some of the better postgame quotes making the rounds at Clemson blog sites. Please do not attempt to read this under the influence of any alcohol as you may wet your pants. Some are quite rational. And again, the greatest respect to our fellow football bloggers.
So here we are, in no particular order….
1. Then came Saturday. A beatdown at the hands of a rival that you have dominated for an entire century, a program that is one of the worst programs in the history of college football, and a program that has now seemingly passed this program in every way. The Gamecocks were stronger, tougher, and more prepared. It showed on the field and it showed in the box score. Did anybody show up to play outside of Cody, Ellington, and maybe Branch? This is your rival, who previously embarrassed you the two years before. If you can’t get up for this game, there’s not much hope from a fan’s perspective for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, I think it runs much deeper. This whole program has demonstrated that they are still Clemson, the team with all the talent in the world that collapses when it counts.
2. “On to the football game…First things first, the Old Ball Coach exploited Clemson’s weaknesses and handed our university its ass for the third consecutive year. You give credit where credit is due, and SOS/Ellis Johnson certainly gets it here as the Gamecocks overcame injuries, suspensions, and dismissals to win 10 on the year and whip us last night. Congratulations to Carolina. (This guy I like, rational)
Yet Dabo will make excuses for this worthless crap. Swinney will allow the players to dictate practice philosophy. Practice philosophy is the reason we play more like a Girl Scout troop than a legit football team. We are soft.” (I would have hi-lited GIRL SCOUT TROOP here.)
The guy below is obviusly a bit ANGRY, i apologize for his language in advance for all the youngsters.
For the adults, pop open a cold one and savor his agony. I’m gonna give him Codename: CLETUS
3. “3 in a row.” Three in a row is utterly unacceptable at Clemson. As far as I’m concerned, Dabo can take Kevin Steele and get the fuck out of town if this is going to be the norm under his watch. Yes, for those that are about to complain, I would trade a ACCCG for a SC win, but to treat this game, for 3 years straight, like it doesn’t matter? Unacceptable. Clemson does not lose to SC. That is the Alpha and the Omega. If Dabo Swinney does not get this simple fact straight, which his otherwise worthless predecessor did, he can leave town now and save us the trouble of firing him later.
And Clemson’s defense is the worst Clemson defense I can remember. Tommy West’s teams sucked overall, but they could still play good fundamental defense. Reggie Herring’s at least had good LB play. Honestly if it were up to me, Steele and the defensive staff would be looking for a job next Sunday, because no single position can play their assignment or do anything productive. As much as I like the scheme we play, its not worth the shit I’ve been watching. Even the “good” players, or those you think are good, don’t do their jobs right. Do you realize we let a worthless half-injured OL, another 15th string RB, a fat WR, and a QB who can’t throw that well beat us again? I do so love it when I see a QB scramble and all 5 DBs standing still watching him run at them, and LBs waiting to be blocked instead of attacking the play, and DL who just go with the flow instead of holding gaps and refusing to me moved.
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Again those three comments above were from Clemson fans.
In retrospect, all in good nature, is the quote “Clemson does not lose to Carolina. That is the ALPHA and the OMEGA. Now I’m sure our good friend, stomped off to his bomb shelter, cracked open a 12 pack of Milwaukees Best (do they still call it the “Beast” in Columbia?) and cussed and spit till the cows came home whilst cleaning the pump-action. But seriously, no need to get all biblical on us. Is Alshon Jeffery our FAT WR?
I have had the pleasure of being a Gamecock since the days of the Black Magic and anyone else who has can remember the many mediocre seasons, the ups and downs, the pains and the frustrations of being a fan of the Gamecocks. I respect Clemson and I also know I will pray to meet anyone wearing ORANGE in London the coming year and buy them a beer and rib them murderously. We had a great season and to all my Carolina brethren, ENJOY and BASK in it, we deserve it.
And to my dear friend Cletus, I look forward to your post-Virginia Tech game comments with relish.
Here is a video to close for ya:
