A BCS patsy would have been better for Clemson than Coastal Carolina

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, April 21, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

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Admittedly, the recent news of Clemson inking a deal with Coastal Carolina, another FCS school, in 2009 caused more than one to sigh and shake his or her head. Especially in light of the other two opponents that year being Middle Tennessee State and Central Michigan.

Nothing against MTSU or the Chips; after all, they are at least FBS schools (albeit not BCS ones). Matter of fact, they are actually respectable opponents from non-BCS conferences. The Blue Raiders appear to be doing OK under head coach Rick Stockstill, a former longtime Clemson assistant, as the team was Sunbelt co-champion in 2006. Central Michigan has been doing very well in the MAC, as the team won its second consecutive conference title last season. So there's not a lot of shame in playing these two so-called patsies.

But Coastal Carolina?

Certainly it would have been far more respectable to play a BCS team than the Big South conference runner-up.

"What, you want us to play Oklahoma or West Virginia?," some fans might ask. Well, quite honestly, either of those matchups would be must-see TV. But believe it or not, there are weaker BCS teams that, at last check, appear to have an open spot or two in 2009.

How about Kansas State (Big 12)? Or a struggling Big East team, like Syracuse or Pitt? Maybe even consider a Big Ten school like Indiana or Iowa. Heck, the way they're looking now, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish would be a catch if Boston College didn't have dibs. Adding any of those teams would be far more respectable than an FCS team, and those specific squads are very beatable ones at that.

Remember the Texas A&M series in 2004 and 2005? Show of hands: Would anyone have preferred to play Furman or Western Carolina instead? See the point?

If other BCS leagues can largely avoid scheduling FCS schools (props to the Pac-10 and Big East), there's no reason any ACC school can't. Because there are BCS cupcakes out there for the taking, it's just a matter of stepping out of the old comfort zone and initiating a deal.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
RazzMaTazz		05:14 PM
04/21/2008
I agree that it would be far better for Clemson's dignity and its fans if Clemson stopped padding the schedule with cupcakes, and...
No.2
KMAC		09:18 AM
04/25/2008
Razz, I agree the records aren't good against teams with final rankings. I don't mind helping in state schools but maybe 1 team a...
No.3
RazzMaTazz		06:10 PM
04/28/2008
KMAC: I don't know exactly when Clemson broke ground and whether breaking ground alone would be enough to attract recruits, but I...
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