Know Thy Enemy: So So Close Edition

After another week of games it is time to roundup the action from Clemson’s opponents. Due to popular demand, the bastard Bulldogs will now be making an appearance. It is time to stoke the hatred for those puppies ahead of our clash next season. As a note records for all teams through the current week are provided, as well as current rank in the AP Poll.

Georgia #5 (5-0):

The Bulldogs made things difficult for themselves. They sprinted to 17 point lead before giving it all up. Georgia put the ball on the ground several times to let the Volunteers back into it, but also credit UT for not quitting on this one. They say defense is played in the SEC, but the final score for this one was 51-44. Next week is a big one as Georgia takes on USC in Columbia. I’m officially nicknaming it the Meteor Bowl, a game where you root for the meteor to win.

Auburn Tigers (1-3):

Auburn had a bye week to prepare for an Arkansas team that we could probably beat by 40 points.

Ball State Cardinals (3-2):

Ball State suffered a last second defeat to Kent State 45-43. Kent State kicked a last second field goal to beat the Cardinals. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams exploded for points during the rest of the game. Wenning had over 400 yards passing in this one, and their top receiver Snead had over 200 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns.

Furman Paladins (2-3):

Furman rolled over Western Carolina 45-24 to get their second win of the season. After a few heartbreaking losses, the Paladins put it all together in a dominating win. Furman had 619 yards of offense including over 400 yards on the ground from Williams and McCloud. A second quarter explosion of 24 points pretty much put this game out of reach.

Florida State Seminoles #3 (5-0):

In a game that seemed to concern outsiders given the possibility of a letdown, the Seminoles did start slowly put picked things up in the second half to put away USF. Turnovers in the second half really killed the Bulls who kept things close before finally losing. At this point Florida State really only has Virginia Tech and a suddenly resurgent Miami team. They are going to need to lose both games if Clemson wants any hope of heading to Charlotte for a repeat.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3):

The triple option got absolutely manhandled by Middle Tennessee State on Saurday. GT lost 49 -28 in one of the biggest shocker If I’m Venables I poor over the gametape where MTSU held the Yellow Jackets to about 180 yards in the air and about 220 yards rushing. This is arguably Clemson’s biggest game on the schedule for AcC play, and if we have any hope of heading to Charlotte then a victory is required. FSU isn’t going to lose 3 games so we need to go balls to the wall on this one.

Virginia Tech Hokies (3-2):

Normally you expect a crappy Hokies loss early in the season, but a second one in 3 weeks means you have to think of Miami as the early Coastal Division favorite. Even though VPI is still undefeated in conference play, they seem likely to drop 1 if not 2 games in ACC play. The Hokies were outmuscled by Cincinnati. Yes, the Bearcats beat the Hokies when Logan Thomas ended things by throwing a pick. At some point Beamer is going to have to realize Thomas isn’t going to get it done for the Hokies. This is still a difficult matchup for Clemson in 3 weeks, but it certainly got easier.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-2) vs. Duke Blue Devils (4-1):

It is official; the Blue devils have some hope in this season. David Cutcliffe has done well to put Duke in prime position heading into the meat of the ACC schedule. The final score in this one was 34-27 Duke, and it was their first win over Wake Forest since 1999. The blue pansies only need 2 wins to become bowl eligible, and you have to think they can be force in a wide open Coastal Division.

As for Wake, they have only played 2 ACC games but it seems as though they are already out of the running in the Atlantic. For Clemson this can still be a trap game on a Thursday night in Winston Salem. The last time we went there on a Thursday night, Mr. Bowden ended up losing his job because of it.

NC State Wolfpack (3-2):

The Wolfpack lost a shootout to Miami 44-37 when the Hurricanes scored with 10 seconds remaining. The big takeway from this game is how susceptible NC State was to the big play. Nuk and Sammy can have huge games against NC State, and my guess is we will be up for this match after last year’s debacle. At least I hope so.

Maryland Terripans (2-2):

The turtles had a bye week to regroup, and will take on Wake Forest next week.

South Carolina Gamecocks #6 (5-0):

Talk about an interesting game. The first half was all Kentucky as they jumped to a 17-7 lead with a true freshman quarterback. Kentucky’s starter went down on the first series, but things somehow picked up from there. The second half was all the Coots as they scored 31 unanswered points to win 38-17. The good news is that Kentucky showed USC is vulnerable. Yes USC didn’t exactly come to play, but they aren’t this huge juggernaut. If Dabo does things right (you can start laughing now) Clemson can beat these overrated pansies handily.