Clemson expects to extend in-state dominance

By Bob Wilson  |   Monday, November 20, 2006  |  Comments( 15 )

Clemson Tigers
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Whether you love or hate Clemson Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden, one thing is indisputable - the man knows how to beat South Carolina. In fact, if Bowden were to have a nickname. it would probably be "the Colonel," because he does chicken right.

Bowden is 60-36 overall, good for a .625 winning percentage, but has won six of his seven games versus his in-state rival and his Tigers will be favored to increase his record to 7-1. For some fans, this dominance of the Gamecocks is enough. Defeating South Carolina affords Clemson fans 365 days of bragging rights. Others believe that annually beating a program with an overall losing record and a pitiful three bowl victories in over 100 years of football is not enough.

Tiger fans are generally split on many issues. They can be found arguing on Internet message boards about whether the team should wear purple or orange jerseys, or whether it is acceptable to "woo hoo" at the end of the Tiger fight song. They even fight over whether you need to have graduated from the University to be a "true fan" and what is proper gameday attire. However, all Clemson fans will be united this week as the single goal is to beat South Carolina.

The whole state will be split. Houses will be divided and families will pick sides. Neighbors who have teased each other all year in a friendly manner will suddenly become a lot less cordial as rivalry week is upon the state.

Tiger nation will be united, though. Woo hooers and non-woo hooers, Danny Ford lovers and Bowden supporters will stand side-by-side in Death Valley and scream in unison for their Tigers to destroy Steve Spurrier and his hated Gamecocks. Students will burn Cocky the Chicken in effigy and the ROTC will bang the drum and guard Howard's Rock all week. All of Clemson will come together as one, even if only for one week, because the only thing that matters this week is beating SC.

After Saturday's game, fans will go back to arguing about whether Bowden is the right man for Clemson or whether the program is headed in the right direction. However, this week, Clemson backers can agree on one objective - beat South Carolina!

Tommy Bowden should improve to 7-1 against South Carolina and 2-0 against Steve Spurrier, because Clemson is the better team. The Tigers wore down the last few weeks, but should be fresh coming off their bye. The Gamecocks have played several good teams close, but moral victories will not be enough to beat their rivals.

In most rivalries you'll hear that you can throw out the record book. That is not the case with Clemson and South Carolina. In this rivalry, the better team has generally won. That's why Clemson has an overwhelming 64-35-4 series lead and why the Tigers will likely win this Saturday.

See if the Clemson Tigers can continue their dominance over South Carolina at College.RealFootball365.com
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