Clemson once again on road to nowhere

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, September 29, 2008  |  Comments( 6 )

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How many times has everyone been down this road with Clemson? More importantly, how many more times will everyone be road-tripping with the Tigers down a long road to nowhere?

Under Tommy Bowden, the Tigers have earned a reputation as one of college football's least consistent teams. Actually, it's become such a trend for them to a win a few games, then inexplicably lose a few and repeat the process that they've actually become consistent.

At almost the halfway point of the 2008 campaign, this is shaping up to be yet another typical Bowden season for Clemson. The Tigers, preseason favorites to win the ACC crown and tabbed as major players on the BCS stage, sport a 3-2 mark (1-1 in their conference) and they haven’t even hit the hardest part of their schedule. Given the punchline that is Tiger football right now, it’s a stretch to think they’ll win the Atlantic Division, much less the conference. Sure, it’s possible. But based on how putrid they are playing, it’s not probable in the least.

The weird thing about the 20-17 loss to Maryland on Saturday is that Clemson was better in many key statistical categories than the Terrapins. Clemson accrued more first downs (19 to 11), a lot more total yards (372 to 295) -- particularly in the run game (221 to 123) -- more yards per pass (6.9 to 5.7), more yards per rush (5.4 to 4.2), fewer penalties (six against nine) and more possession time (32:36 to 27:24). Further, the teams entered the locker room at halftime with Clemson holding a 17-6 advantage after running backs C.J. Spiller and James Davis ran amok.

As everyone knows, though, it’s the scoreboard that trumps all.

It was clear Maryland made some adjustments after halftime; on the other hand, Clemson really didn’t. That is, unless you think of an adjustment as going to a pass-oriented attack after wild rushing success in the first half. Apparently there is no statistical category for heart, because the Tigers clearly didn’t have any in the last 30 minutes of play; frankly, they once again seemed to be going through the motions.

“Any time you have two pretty good teams and one self-destructs, that's the one that will probably lose the game," Bowden said after the game.

At Clemson, self-destruction's become pretty commonplace under Bowden.
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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: 6  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
NB		12:58 PM
09/29/2008
What can we all say? SOS....same ol' story. First of all, before I give my chilling rendition of what's to come for the rest of...
No.2
RazzMaTazz		02:23 PM
09/29/2008
UMD adjusted in the 2nd half to stuff the box, the run, and the screens. But Clemson's OC, Spence, refused to throw downfield...
No.3
NB		04:22 PM
09/29/2008
Razz; I respect your comments, but Clemson won't go 8-5 this year. The total meltdown yet to come will spell the end for Bowden....
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