Clemson Takes the Wood to Coastal Carolina

By MikeBullock  |   Monday, November 02, 2009  |  Comments( 0 )

Clemson Tigers
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For Clemson Tiger fans, Saturday’s game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers was a How-To demonstration on beating an unworthy opponent. CC’s program, a relative newcomer to the storied ranks of the NCAA really never had a chance. The Clemson game was only their third against a contender, and, as these things go, it showed.

The game was over once Jacoby Ford took the field, whether the Chants wanted to admit it or not.

However, that doesn’t mean Clemson got out with an easy win. QB Kyle Parker threw two interceptions and their third down efficiency was an abysmal 50%.

A danger most teams face when going up against opponents that are figuratively (and literally in this case) not in their league is the loss of a mental edge. When you go into a game thinking it’s an easy win, you simply don’t try as hard as you should, because subconsciously it doesn’t seem necessary.

That kind of thought process is what leads to upsets.

Thankfully, for the Tigers, they retained enough edge to soundly defeat the Chants, who were outmatched at every level. While the momentum from last week’s overtime thriller certainly carried into this game, beating what amounts to the local intramural team doesn’t do much when it comes to FBS rankings, nor does it do much for a team with the Florida State Seminoles staring at them.

So, while on paper this looks like a great win for the Tigers, coach Dabo Sweeney needs to downplay this one in the locker room, treat it as business as usual, while preparing his team to face a far superior opponent next week.

Make no mistake, this isn’t the same Seminoles team that seemed ever-present in the BCS rankings not long ago, but they are the team that pulled out 45 points against NC State while Clemson was only able to put up 49 against the hapless Chanticleers.

The early edge should go to the Tigers for next weekend’s matchup; however, beating an easily beatable team may have given them just a touch of what it takes to underestimate an opponent.

Thankfully, Sweeney’s defense is far superior to NC State’s and the Seminoles shouldn’t have as easy of a time hitting the forty-point mark. Either way, that game will be far more exciting, and certainly more meaningful, than this past weekend’s forgettable blowout.
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