Status QuoClemson maintains dominance, beats USC for the 10th time in 12 years The Post and Courier
Sunday, July 20, 2008
JEFF BLAKE James Davis leads a Clemson team that has too much talent and depth for its in-state rival South Carolina. CLEMSON — Admittedly, Steve Spurrier might not have understood the depth or passion involved in the Clemson rivalry when he arrived at South Carolina. Now he gets it. He's seen what a victory does to rile the USC fan base. He's seen what a pair of losses can do, too, even down to a perceived tipping of the recruiting balance in the Tigers' favor. In some ways, this is Spurrier's biggest test against Tommy Bowden and Clemson. With a win, the series is knotted at 2 in the SOS era. A loss, and it's 1-3 and the continuance of recent embarrassment at the Tigers' hands; Clemson has won nine of the past 11, and seven of nine under Bowden. For Clemson, with a berth in the ACC title game all wrapped up, this is about pride. That's always been enough in this game, anyway, but surely the Tigers will have plenty of motivation to keep the hated Gamecocks in their death grip. The breakdown South Carolina offense vs. Clemson defense You'd think the Gamecocks could get their offensive line firmly set by the regular season's last game. They'd better, because Clemson might have the best D-line USC has seen since LSU. End Da'Quan Bowers won't be playing like a freshman by late November. Ricky Sapp will fly around and show his versatility. Good luck getting through Dorell Scott up the middle. Tough as the Tigers' line is, the secondary is even better. Probably the best the Gamecocks will see (besides their own). Safeties Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemons are as seasoned as you get. Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler are solid at the corners. USC's best chance of moving the ball — like in many of the games leading up to Clemson — is finding those tight ends. The Tigers' weak point on defense, if they have one, is at linebacker. Those unproven guys will have a difficult time matching up with Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders in the open field. Particularly Cook. Find them enough, and it could open up other things downfield. Clemson offense vs. South Carolina defense In three years against Spurrier, the Tigers have put together resilient late-game drives. In 2005, Clemson converted a first-and-35 on a touchdown march that ended up being the game-winner in a 13-9 victory in Columbia. A year later in Clemson, the Tigers were down three points and drove from their own 20 to the Gamecocks' 12. They had to settle for a field goal that missed, allowing USC to leave with a 31-28 victory. Last season, Cullen Harper and Aaron Kelly drove the Tigers 61 yards in the final 2:09, setting up the game-winning field goal by Mark Buchholz. Those experiences give Clemson confidence it can move the ball on the Gamecocks when it absolutely has to. But moving the ball on this group might prove more difficult than in past years. The Tigers' young offensive line has endured its share of growing pains this season, even though those pains weren't as dramatic as some people envisioned. Clemson's front will be in for a stern test against the Gamecocks' line, and new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson could present some mental challenges with his shift-on-the-fly schemes. Crystal ball Give Spurrier credit: Even though he's lost two of three to Clemson, he's at least made the Gamecocks competitive with the Tigers. The three meetings have been decided by a total of nine points. Quite an improvement from the final two years of the Lou Holtz era, when Clemson humiliated USC by a combined score of 92-24 — including that unforgettable 63-17 trouncing in 2003 on the Gamecocks' home turf. USC's defense is comparable to Clemson's. But frankly, it's not even close on the other side of the ball. Perhaps the biggest surprise of Spurrier's tenure has been his inability to attract big-time talent at the offensive skill positions. If Spurrier had a Harper, a James Davis, a C.J. Spiller or a Jacoby Ford, maybe the Gamecocks win this game. Clemson's got all those guys right now. And it's hard to pick against the Tigers with that kind of advantage. Clemson bags its first 10-win season since 1990 while beating USC for the 10th time in 12 years. And Bowden continues his mastery of Holtz and Spurrier. The Gamecocks are in a low place after losing to their rivals yet again. But they'll take the eight wins and the bowl appearance after last year's flameout. Prediction Clemson 23, USC 17 |
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by bigriver1 on July 20, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder Stevie can not handle all this losing and total domination by Clemson. He will retire after this chicken-kicking. sc will be 6-6 and 3-5. No bowl game AGAIN. Those qb's would not start at Slippery Rock. LOL!
Posted by MSC on July 20, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you ever in for a letdown.
I predict a lot of silence from BR1 this season.
Posted by youmanyo on July 20, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to see both schools do good up to this point so the rivaly could be showcased to the entire nation.
GO TIGERS!
Posted by moonpie on July 20, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm neutral so...
"Perhaps the biggest surprise of Spurrier's tenure has been his inability to attract big-time talent at the offensive skill positions"
YES perhaps he should have made a trip to columbia prior to accepting the job to see what attracts players to come there Surely not the zoo of the museum or the flag? You will not recruit here like you did in Florida. But you do make USC better that's for sure. They have "been" in games under your tenure that they shouldn't have been in! Good luck coach.
Posted by wincocks84 on July 20, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well going soley by what this writer has predicted..i just dont see a Clemson team that loses 2 games in the ACC beating an 8-3 USC team that plays in the SEC..personally im biased so im going to say USC beats Clemson by more than a touchdown this year..just because of our Defense..but I also dont expect Clemson to lose to anyone in the ACC..outside of maybe the ACC championship game..
Posted by OldSalt on July 20, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way too far away to predict anything about this game. Injuries incurred at critical positions with untested back-pus during the season will probably be more of a predictor at this time of year than anything else.
Will the O line at CU be experienced and solid by then? Will the quarterback at USC be able to pass consistently? Will the quarterback at USC be able to pass at all? ((Attempting to control blood pressure.))
If CU doesn't at least make it to the ACC title game and if USC doesn't at least make it to a respectable bowl game, I hope both fan bases don't just sigh, sit back and take it for another year. I hope they raise hades and don't let off - even if it takes years - until both Universities get coaches who can produce real results - not just good recruiting classes - AND NOT JUST PROMISES AND EXCUSES! ((Ooops, there goes the BP.))
Posted by JRob on July 20, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wincocks84, I want S. Carolina to win and all but most years Clemson loses 2 or 3 games in the ACC and still beats Carolina.
Posted by wincocks84 on July 21, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree most years Clemson does lose a few games in the ACC yearly and still manages to beat the Gamecocks...but this year the ACC is down..way way down..and going by what the editor wrote...i just dont see a clemson team that loses 2 games in the pitiful ACC beating an 8-3 USC team..But personally i do not expect Clemson to lose to anyone in the ACC..Carolina will be the toughest team they play all year..with the exception of maybe their bowl game.