I was on a plane for much of the day yesterday, but Delta’s WiFi on an international flight allowed me to watch some ball and stay on top of the geniuses of the message board universe.
Let’s start today’s trip for a 4th(!) week in the Upstate of South Carolina where Fran Brown drops a bomb on the Clemson football program.
Syracuse goes into “Death Valley” and rips Clemson a new one 34-21. The Orange jumped on the Tiggers early and then held them at bay for the remainder of the game. I wonder if Fran spent a little time with Kirby during the Dawgs’ off week to gather some intel for game planning.
On the real topic, Dabo deserves to go out at Clemson on his own terms, but it’s apparent now that “all is not well” on Lake Hartwell and the Clemson faithful are not going to stay calm.
Other potential losses loom on Clemson’s schedule, and the path to Charlotte appears like the last stage to the summit of Everest.
Of course, the team they play next Saturday has a set of challenges of their own … let’s head to the land of the Mouse to check in on the Tar Heels and the Belichick Experiment.
83-104. That was Bill Belichick’s career record in the NFL without Tom Brady at quarterback.
I hate to say it to the Tar Heel fans who thought the supposed GOAT would make them into a college football power, but Tom Brady doesn’t have any college eligibility remaining. Also, I doubt UNC will get the treatment from the ACC officials that Belichick got for years in New England because of Brady.
They have been smoked by the 2 teams they’ve played that had a pulse. While Clemson may be reeling, I can’t imagine things are going to get better on Franklin Street in a couple of weeks.
Let’s head down to South Florida to check in on the mental state of the Hogtown Handbags.
First … delusion (3 days ago).
Today … misery.
What job is better now … Florida or Ole Miss? If Junior wants to be able to do whatever he wants, there’s no way he takes on the pressure cooker that is the Florida head coaching job. Crazy expectations, a fan base that believes Nattys (and the Light kind) are their birthright, and three currently top 10 rival programs around them or no expectations, good money and a nicer place to live. Give me Oxford over Hogtown any day.
To the game, Mario Cristobal and Carson Beck (that pick gave me 2024 flashbacks) tried to find a way to let the Gators steal one. I’m not sold on this team at all. It’s hard to believe they are #2 in the rankings this week. I think there are multiple teams in the top 10 that could throttle the Canes.
Sun Belt Billy looked resigned to his fate on the sideline last night. DJ Lagway is a disaster (12/23 for 61 yards and a QBR of 21), but their defense plays hard. They have 2 weeks to prepare for the Archduke and the Shorthorns. Could that be Billy’s final stand before entering the Kirby rehab center for fired coaches?
Let’s move on to Norman to check on the Auburn Family.
9 sacks allowed and they are complaining about playing straight up. I’m guessing someone in Norman has made up a “Honk if you’ve sacked Jackson Arnold” bumper sticker this morning. The SEC officiating responds regarding the play that was likely the cause of this genius’s post.
Was the play in question the difference in the game? Mathematically, the answer to that question is yes. Brent Venables would have likely blown a gasket if Auburn had scored on a similar play against his defense. It was low class, and Auburn fans have a right to complain about it although something like that costing them a game makes this guy smile given the karma of $Cam Newton and Nick Fairley.
You give up 9 sacks with a supposedly mobile quarterback? The OL coach should be tarmac-ed as a result. 287 yards of offense should be what the “geniuses” of Greater Opelika should be complaining about especially with a head coach who is supposed to be an offensive-minded coach.
Let’s head a little east to CoMo to check in on the other side of the complete implosion of football in the Palmetto State.
I agree with this genius … South Carolina doesn’t belong in the SEC. Neither do Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Missouri. Maybe the Lamecocks could join the Sun Belt or Conference USA. I’m guessing they could win one of those leagues.
Missouri ran over, through and around for 287 yards against the South Carolina defense while holding the Gamecocks to negative yards rushing. Ouch. 14 penalties for nearly 100 hidden yards added to the challenge of losing this game.
After next week’s home game against Kentucky, South Carolina stares into the abyss from playing 5 currently ranked teams in a row. Not good, Shane, not good.
While not officially MBG, we have to check on the Archduke of Austin.
Good grief, Arch. I’m sure this is this way you talked trash against the private school kids you played against in Louisiana. If something says, “Act like you’ve been there before,” this is it. Douche move.
We end today in Memphis where the end appears to be near for our favorite OL coach for a post I really didn’t want to write.
I love Sam Pittman. I wish he had never left Athens. Kirby only hired Jim Chaney because that was the only way to get the Pitt Boss to leave Arkansas to coach on a staff with a first time head coach. I don’t blame Pittman for leaving to take the job. It was truly life changing money for a coach toward the end of his career.
I wish him Godspeed in whatever is next whether that’s staying in the game or heading to the lake.
Thank you, Sam. You’ll always be welcome in Athens and probably would never have to buy a beer in the Classic City’s limits.
That’s what I saw this weekend. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
After 4 weeks of watching football I have yet to see an elite team. The Mickey channel hype machine does its best to tell my eyes otherwise. The portal has brought more parity than I have ever seen in college football.
I look at the coaches’ poll top 10. They are all recruiting and roster powerhouses. Every one of them listed has a blue chip ratio above 50%.
There may not be a super team out there a la LSU 2019, any number of Saban Bama teams, Georgia 21-22, or Clemson late 10s, but the fact is the top talent is primarily with the top programs.
“Honk if you’ve sacked Jackson Arnold” tickled the shit out of me!!
Excellent work EE, keep ’em comin’.
Whit, I only hope I don’t have to show off our geniuses next weekend.
Me and you both Hoss.
The geniuses everywhere…not sure if UGA football can take the bammers behind the wood shed, very interested if a fast start is in the game plan, attack, attack, attack… cause they aren’t gonna go away easy…GO DAWGS!!
Posts that did not age well, Clemson style.
https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-forum/thread/after-we-beat-syracuse-this-weekend-will-you-feel-better-about-this-team-2466405&ref=pop
That klempzin/dabo decline has been in the downward format for several years, reality must be slower with the cowchip iptay crowd…
Did anyone else see that familiar look from Beck on the sideline? More than a few times, after a drop or a pick? Why don’t announcers ever pick up on that instead of constantly harping about how he has a “better team around him”?
Agreed, saw a lot of balls just out of reach, or just behind, or too hard right at the target….
To be fair to Beck, it was pouring down rain and the field was a disaster. Everyone looked bad in that game.
Looked as though the FU offensive scheme was working…or was it just me….#FTMF!!
Definitely worked for me too!
Some people are wanting to say is over for Bama after any loss. I think it’s safe to say it is over for Clemson. Dabo can finish this season, but then he really needs to do some soul searching. He may not need to retire, but he certaining should move on. Plus he may not have a choice.
The handbags are stairing down a potential 1-11 season. There are no sure wins left on their schedule. That said, Miami’s DEs are any offensive tackles nightmare.
Oh, I almost forgot. As much as I hate Auburn, they got seriously job against Oklahoma. There needs to be some kind of reprecussions for the officiating team for just doing a poor, and that’s being, kind job. Also for the Oklahoma coaches for calling that illegal play.
Not calling that obvious deception play. Reminds me of last season Texas fans tossing trash on the field till they get the call they want. The SEC officials are bending over to welcome OU and UT.
To be fair to Beck it was raining and the field was a sloppy mess.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a QB regress like Lagway has. He’s aiming every throw nothing is automatic or routine for him. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get that fixed till after he leaves JAX.
Rivals message boards after a bad loss are one of the finer values of the internet.
Maybe the Colts will draft DJ and finally get the « right » gator QB this time… unless, of course, the Falcons do what Flowery Branch always do, and the Falcons trade up to get him and beat the Colts to obtain the treasure trove of fools gold that could just as easily have been bought in a Dahlonega quickie mart.
Every time I see Shane Beamer have a tantrum on the sidelines, and two plays later see the Lamecocks commit another penalty, I think their lack of discipline stems from the head coach. He’s quickly moving to the top of my “can’t stand him” list.
Of course I hate Auburn, but their O-line wasn’t the problem. They gave that QB plenty of time, he just held the ball forever like he didn’t realize there were 300 pound men bearing down on him that his OL can’t hold off forever. Was really head scratching at times. Auburn should have won by 10 based on the calls bad calls, but also they can easily fix the QB’s holding the ball too long. They will be a tough team to beat.