Clemson still has something to play for

By Bob Wilson  |   Monday, October 30, 2006  |  Comments( 10 )

Clemson Tigers
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The Clemson Tigers once again find themselves at a crossroads. After a crushing defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech on national television, the team has almost no chance of winning the ACC. This is a program-defining moment for Tommy Bowden. He can regroup his team and still have a successful season, or he can watch his Tigers pack it in and limp to a mediocre finish.

In 1999, the Tigers went 6-6 against the nation's toughest schedule and clawed and scratched their opponents to the final whistle. The year 2000 started off with an 8-0 start and a No. 3 ranking. Clemson fans everywhere puffed out their chests and proclaimed their team was back. However, quarterback Woodrow Dantzler was injured in the eighth game and the schedule got a lot tougher. The result was a 9-3 finish.

Since 2000, Bowden has only been able to win nine games in a season one more time - going 9-4 in 2003. The team was not able to build on '03, finishing a disappointing 6-5 and 8-4 the following seasons.

Clemson lost a golden opportunity to win the ACC this year, but the Tigers still have a chance at a special season. While the team is not mathematically eliminated from the ACC Championship Game picture, it is highly unlikely that Boston College will lose two more league games. The Tigers still have a very good shot at a 10-win regular season, which is nothing to scoff at.

Maryland and North Carolina State, the next two opponents, are both very beatable. The Tigers will be at home, a place they've performed well at.

Quarterback Will Proctor hasn't played solidly since the Florida State game and he will have to pick up his performance substantially. The Hokies exposed the Tigers as a one-dimensional team by stacking the line and stuffing the run game. Proctor can expect to see eight- and nine-men fronts from here on out.

Whoever is calling the plays will have to be a little less conservative and call an occasional first-down pass to take some pressure off the senior signal caller.

The final contest of the season, as always, is the South Carolina game. With eight wins in the last nine meetings and a 64-35-4 series lead, to say Clemson dominates its in-state foe is an understatement. This year should be no different. The Gamecocks usually beat the teams they're supposed to, but rarely take out teams better than them - especially on the road.

So, if the coaches can get the players to move on and remember that there is still a lot to play for, the Tigers could still go 10-2 and secure a Gator or Peach Bowl berth. A conference title would have been nice, but this team can win 10 or 11 games and lay the foundation for a Clemson revival.
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