clemson is 22-0 in games Tommy Bowden needs to win in order to keep his job. Take the Tigers here!
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thats funny shit
if he loses, he gets fired? for sure? i mean, he can only do so much. he cant make his qb not suckComment -
Clemson's QB doesn't suck: his shoulder is injured, and the play-calling has sucked.thats funny
if he loses, he gets fired? for sure? i mean, he can only do so much. he cant make his qb not suck
However, there are things the staff can do, and -- for a change -- the staff is actually trying to do something.Comment -
If you don't know what you're talking about, why are you talking?clemson is 22-0 in games Tommy Bowden needs to win in order to keep his job. Take the Tigers here!
The first time Bowden really got the impression he needed to win a ballgame was the Humanitarian Bowl after the 2001 season. Clemson beat La. Tech 49-24 as -6.5.
The next time he really felt the heat -- and it was much, much hotter -- was in 2003 after a 45-17 loss at Wake Forest. Bowden put his lazy ass to work and beat FSU 26-10 as +17, Duke 40-7 as -13.5, South Carolina 63-17 as a pick, and Tennessee 27-14 as +5.
Since then, he's been coasting, but now he's back where he was after the 2003 Wake debacle.
It's obvious to anyone who follows Clemson that Bowden does the bare minimum to get by. He's unmotivated. But when he needs to win for his OWN sake, he gets the job done. It may not happen again this time, but I wouldn't bet against it.Comment -
Sorry if I misunderstood you. I thought you were laughing at the notion that Bowden might perform better under pressure.
My apologies.Comment -
Seriously, it looks like the staff may be getting the message:
Spence amps up intensity
CLEMSON -- James Davis said he hears Rob Spence in his sleep.
“He’s been really excited at practice,” said the senior running back of Clemson’s offensive coordinator. “He’s getting on everybody.
“It’s really been a trip.”
A pious but passionate man, Spence turned up the volume in practice after the Tigers’ loss to Maryland.
“This is just extra-intense Coach Spence,” tight end Michael Palmer said.
Nobody escaped his wrath, including quarterback Cullen Harper.
“He tries to tell us he doesn’t like yelling,” Harper said, “but I think he really does.”
Harper smiled as he described a Spence tirade. Davis and Palmer, too.
“This is definitely as intense as I’ve seen him,” Davis said. “He’s out there losin’ it. You can see it in his face, his veins are coming out.”
A stickler for detail, Spence was crushed by the transgressions in the Maryland game and blamed himself for not preparing them better.
“He felt it was his fault,” Palmer said. “We made some stupid mistakes, stupid penalties.
“He felt he had been letting us get away with it in practice.”
The result?
“He’s been nuts.”
The first practice after the game he made the entire offense run 100-yard sprints each time somebody made a mistake.
Spence is not profane, but he can make a point. Purportedly, backup quarterback Willy Korn does a pretty fair impersonation of a Spence meltdown.
“Oh my aching tail” is a favorite, or he might go nose-to-nose with a player and scream, “I may be only 135 pounds, but I’ll rip your face off.”
“He’s got all these sayings. We make fun of him behind his back,” said Palmer, but receiver Aaron Kelly said frequently they’re not very discreet.
“Usually it’s to his face,” Kelly said respectfully, “but he laughs with us.”
Spence flat denied it all after Monday’s practice. He’s never criticized a player publicly so it’s not likely he’ll admit to lighting a fire under the players, let alone carrying matches.
“We’ve had a great time and a good couple days of practice and a lot of fun on the practice field and a lot of energy,” he said. “We had some gentle reminders about procedure penalties and getting lined up properly and making sure that we control the things we can control. That required a little extra focus and some gentle reminders on my part to make sure they do it properly.”
Yeah, and the Korean War was a “police action.”
“I’m sure he’s feeling the pressure a little bit,” Harper said. “The pressure starts at the top and kind of works its way down.
“He’s been coaching me hard, coaching everybody hard, but that’s what we need right now.”
“He’s definitely turned it up this week,” Kelly said. “I think our attention to detail has been terrible, and he’s trying to get his point across about the little things, so maybe that’s why his voice sounds like it does now.”
Center Thomas Austin said it’s about accountability.
“He’s been very intense,” he said, “not that he wasn’t hard on us before, but he’s not going to let anything go undone. He’s taken it up another notch, which I didn’t think was possible.
“He’s very much in your face.”
Spence warned them last Monday when he announced he was responsible for the loss to Maryland.
“The more that you pour into something, the more you feel it when it doesn’t go well,” he said. “All week long I prayed for energy, resolve and strength.”
Nobody takes it personally.
“It wasn’t his fault. We as players let him down,” Palmer said.
“He wants us all to play better, and he thinks this is the way,” said Kelly. “And it’s definitely not going to hurt any one.”
Perhaps it has served as a catharsis for Spence.
“The longer you coach the more you face these kinds of challenges,” he said. “It pains me as much as I can remember, but ask my wife she reminded me. She said, think back over the years. You’ve felt this way many times before.”
And that’s why the players are resolved to make him proud of them.
“"He does it because he loves us and he wants us to play to our ability,” Kelly said.
“I pray for him all the time,” said Davis. “I’m glad he’s here.”
And even though they knew it was coming, it’s probably akin to standing in the batter’s box knowing you’re about to get a fastball, but you don’t see it.
You only hear it.
Spence enforces about-face to save face
Clemson offensive coordinator gets tougher, more vocal after loss to Maryland
CLEMSON — Cullen Harper realized the weight had somewhat lifted off Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence’s shoulders when Spence referred to his own weight.
Before last weekend’s practices, Spence told Harper he was going to coach his senior starting quarterback hard.
Harper said he knew Spence meant business when he dusted off a line he frequently used when he first took the job: “I might be 135 pounds, but I can rip your face off.”
Spence playfully denied using those exact words.
“No hands-on approach here,” Spence said.
Figuratively, Clemson players beg to differ.
Several prominent offensive starters said Monday that such comments exemplified a noticeable change in demeanor from their beleaguered play-caller.
What Spence termed “gentle reminders” were otherwise construed as his attempt to hold players accountable for mistakes like the ones that cost them the Maryland game.
Junior center Thomas Austin said he had never witnessed Spence be as vocal, especially in critiquing Harper. Senior running back James Davis suggested he has been hearing Spence’s voice in his sleep.
“We have a veteran team, so he gave some guys some leeway,” junior running back C.J. Spiller said. “But he said now he’s going to get back to coaching the way he coaches.”
While Spence downplayed the alleged increased assertion, Harper said he believes the change derived from the toll of Clemson’s collapse against Maryland more than a week ago.
After dominating offensively in the first half, the Tigers screeched to a halt in the second. The running game ran dry. Their attempts to pass downfield were few and feeble. And penalties stalled several drives.
Junior tight end Michael Palmer said he had never seen Spence as downtrodden as he was afterward. Spence admitted as much Monday, saying that in his 27 years of coaching, he has not felt as challenged.
With coach Tommy Bowden shooting down questions regarding Clemson’s offensive direction, Spence’s wife, Karen, reminded him he had overcome such travails before.
But Spence said his turning point occurred at church the next morning.
His assistant pastor spoke in his sermon about a time he wanted to quit his profession before realizing how meaningful his contributions were.
Coincidentally, Spence said he was then reminded of his time coaching at Maryland, where a fellow assistant, current Fresno State associate coach John Baxter, had a maxim:
“You’re either coaching them or you’re allowing it to happen,” Spence said. “If you’re seeing it on the field, you’re allowing it to happen.”
In a subsequent team meeting, Spence shouldered the blame for Clemson’s loss.
By displaying a decreased tolerance for mistakes, he apparently hopes to eliminate what the Tigers’ offense has been showing on the field.
It is either an about-face — or risk having your face ripped off.
“I’ve never said that,” Spence said. “Sometimes I feel that way ... .”Comment -
its all good. Clemson seems to win the key games to keep this staff around. Wake may have the intangibles, but I would be really surprised if Clemson didnt bring their A game. The next game however...Comment -
mw
are you a clemson homer or is this legit analysis. homers are very bad at juding their own teams
ask dbldown!!
jkComment -
A homer? I don't bet on Clemson every week if that's what you mean. In fact, I almost never bet on Clemson because the coaching staff simply can't be trusted.
The truth is I'm a Clemson fan, and I've wanted Bowden gone for 6 or 7 years now. This is the first time since 2003 that the Bowden detractors have thought we were close to getting rid of him. This situation is the closest we've come to repeating that 2003 situation that prompted Bowden to go on that amazing run.
Now,a lot of people (including me) suspect that Daddy Bowden (consciously or subconsciously) let Tommy win the 2003 FSU game. But that doesn't explain the 63-17 win over USC or the Peach Bowl win over Tennessee. Of course, there are allegations that Bowden had "spies" at UT practices that helped him scheme to beat UT.
And that's the point -- when he has to Tommy pulls out all the stops. He even works on x's and o's. Okay, that's a joke, for people like me who can't tell. Sorry again Daneblazer. X's and o's, cheating, getting Daddy's help -- whatever it is, Tommy works it.
To me, that 2003 run was a negative for Tommy -- it suggested he could be a big-time winner if he wanted to, but he just doesn't care. However, he does care about his paycheck when it's in jeopardy. And for the first time in five years it's legitimately in jeopardy.Comment -
well i am good at mlb but i suck ass so bad at nfl
im awful
ncaaf i am good at , so far this yr anyhow
LSU
UT
you seen indiani+200 vs iowa? what do you think of that? only need one of 3 to break evenComment -
There's been a lot of talk about trends in this thread, so I'm going to call these things historical facts.
Fact #1:
Clemson was the favorite in each of its last 11 losses.
Fact #2:
Clemson has covered the last 10 times it was an underdog.
Tommy needs motivation. It can be something as simple as being an underdog. But he has a lot more motivation this week.Comment -
thats a trend i would follow over any other
i appreciate your input
you live in sc i gather?Comment -
Okay, I guess I deserved that.its pretty clear you know more about clemson football than anyone here, or probably anyone anywhere.
Jim Grobe's probably done it a few times, and Bowden's no Jim Grobe. At least not ordinarily. We can expect him to try his best to be a real coach, though, this Thursday.but methinks you are a homer. can a coach will his team to beat an equal or better team on the road?Comment -
Thank you very much sir!!!! Those are stats or "trends" that cannot be scewed or mis-stated. Those are right out there plain and simple. Unlike those other "trends" people were passing along earlier that could mean anything the info you have just given us is extremely useful and valuable...And you've made me even more confident in my clemson pick!
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Swank was huge the last time these teams met in Winston-Salem. Clemson started 4 drives inside its own 2-yard line. One was a different special-teams issue (a 95-yard kickoff return by Wake followed by a fumble a play or two later), but three times Swank pinned Clemson inside the 2 on punts.im leaning clem, espeically if swank is hurting
Swank says he may miss game against Tigers
By Dan Collins
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 8, 2008
Sam Swank, Wake Forest's star kicker, missed practice yesterday with an injury that may sideline him for Thursday night's game against Clemson.
Swank strained the quadriceps in his right thigh during Monday's practice, and wasn't in uniform yesterday. He said he's not sure if he will be recovered by Thursday's 7:45 kickoff against the Tigers.
"It will definitely be a game-time decision," Swank said.
Swank, a senior from Jacksonville Beach, Fla., has handled both the kicking and punting duties since the start of the 2006 season. Swank, Wake Forest's all-time leader in field goals and points scored, was named first-team All-ACC kicker and honorable mention as a punter in 2006, and honorable mention as a kicker in 2007.
"We won't know until we get over there Thursday whether he can kick or not," Coach Jim Grobe said. "Hopefully his thigh will loosen up and he'll be able to go, but we'll see."
If Swank is sidelined, Shane Popham will kick and punt for the Deacons. Popham is a redshirt freshman from Crestview Hills, Ky., who has yet to play at Wake Forest.
Popham kicked a 49-yard field goal near the end of yesterday's practice.
"We really love Shane," Grobe said. "If Sam can't go, I think Shane will do great.
"We're blessed to have two really good kickers.'Comment -
Update on Swank -- apparently he missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wake's Swank 50-50 for Clemson
Submitted by egrobinson on 10/08/2008 - 19:31
Tags: ACC Now | Sam Swank | Wake Forest
Wake Forest senior kicker Sam Swank injured his right quadriceps in a practice this week and there's only a 50-50 chance he'll play for the Demon Deacons' home game against Clemson on Thursday.
Wake coach Jim Grobe said on the ACC's teleconference Wednesday that redshirt freshman Shane Popham might have to replace Swank in the lineup for kicking and punting duties.
Swank, the nation's leader in field goals, injured himself kicking near the end of practice on Monday.
On Wednesday, the Deacons held a walk-through practice in the rain and school officials said Swank did not participate. Wake officials said trainers are tending to his injury with a 50-50 chance that he may be ready for Thursday night's 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
"He did it on Monday night," Grobe said. "So by [Thursday] night, who knows? He could be ready to go."
The Deacs certainly hope so.
Swank leads the nation with 10 field goals this season and is tops among active ACC players with 70 career field goals made. His career total ties him for second place in ACC history with Nelson Welch of Clemson.
He has made 70 of 89 career field goal attempts and converted a perfect 116-for-116 PATs.
Grobe said Swank's possible absence is a "big concern," though he expressed faith in Popham, a native of Crestview Hills, Ky., who was placed on scholarship in January.
Grobe said his backup, who joined the team as a walk-on in 2007, has a strong leg but no experience. Swank has done all the kicking for the Deacs this season.
"I'm sure he'll be a little bit nervous," Grobe said of Popham. "The ability is there, it's just a matter of keeping him calm."Comment -
good info M.W.
clemson seems like a play in this spotComment -
Clemson +3 The easy play for me here.Comment -
got 2k on Clemson ML!!! GL TO ALL!!!Comment -
Clemson is going to lose by 6+ pts. They have lost 2 out of last 3 visits to Wake, and this is their first road game of the season, there are some more facts, see the Wake backers at the cashier.
Back Clemson because Bowden is on the hot seat blah blah, and all the other shit that you guys think is going to happen. Plain and simple put your $$$ on a team that hasnt even played a road game this season, is definitely some good handicapping.NFL YTD (1-0) +2 units
NBA YTD (2-1) +1.8 units
CFB YTD ()
Grand Total YTD (2-1) +3.8 unitsComment -
And Clemson has scored a lot in each game.
Lets see 27 against NC st at home.
17 against Maryland.
10 against Alabama.
Other two teams were cream puffs.NFL YTD (1-0) +2 units
NBA YTD (2-1) +1.8 units
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Grand Total YTD (2-1) +3.8 unitsComment -
i got clemson and the unda.
Clemson 23
Wake 20Comment -
The way Wake Forest has played on the offensive side of the ball its hard to back them to me, I have a small play on Clemson, but think it comes down to a 28-24 score somewhere in that ball park.
GL looks like a lot of Clemson Backers!Comment -
Doesn't Clemson have the better running game?Comment -
Clemson injury summary entering Wake Forest game
Jamie Cumbie, DT, broken wrist, out
Rashaad Jackson, DT, knee, out
Barry Humphries, OG, knee, out
David Smith, OT, sprained ankle, out
Antwon Murchison, DT, hamstring, Probable
Jamarcus Grant, OT, shoulder, ProbableComment -
I like the OVER with the current total at 42. Both defenses play to the opposition's offensive strengths.Comment -
Wake wins this game!
Back Clemson and watch your $$ go bye-bye.NFL YTD (1-0) +2 units
NBA YTD (2-1) +1.8 units
CFB YTD ()
Grand Total YTD (2-1) +3.8 unitsComment -
Just thought you guys would like this. Got it in a free pick email:
Looking at this match-up and the performances of both teams to date, we are struck mostly by the huge edge Clemson has over Wake in the running game, as well as the projected rushing edge they should have in this game. For example, Clemson averaged 5.4 YPC in disappointing home loss two weeks ago to maryland (caused mostly by 3 Tiger turnovers), and 5.7 YPC in their non-covering 27-9 win earlier over a struggling NC State team. Contrast that to Wake's miserable rushing #s TY, not only averaging only about two YPC on offense, but on defense allowing good rushing offenses to control the ball and the clock by putting together long, time consuming sustained drives, which is what Navy did to Deacons LW in Winston-Salem, where Middies ran for nearly 300 yards and averaged 5 YPC, in upsetting Wake 24-17 as 11 point dogs, while Deacons were equally ineffective running (just 43 YR on 1.4 YPC and two lost fumbles) and passing, with 4 INTs by QB Riley Skinner. So even a "mentally challenged" HC like Clemson's Tommy Bowden should be able to figure out a run-oriented game plan complimented with lots of play action passes by accurate passer QB Harper, to monopolize the game clock and limit Wake's offensive possessions.
Clemson has been a bit hard to figure so far TY, as despite their under-achieving record both SU (1-2 vs Div I opponents) and ATS (0-3 in lined games), Clemson both runs and passes well, and why shouldn't they, with the return TY of not only QB Cullen Harper (who LY passed for nearly 3000 yards on 65% completions and a stellar 27/6 TD/INT ratio) but also top two RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller, who together rushed for > 1900 yards LY, with each averaging at least 5 YPC)? But Tigers just have not been "in sync" very often this season, with their season opening "dud" performance vs Alabama (which now does not look as bad as it did then) and surprising home upset loss to maryland, with those 3 TOs. But Tigers have had two weeks (bye week LW) since that maryland loss to figure things out and get back "on the same page," and based on LY's score and #s vs Wake, it's no 'stretch" to assume they will do exactly that tonite, as in that game they pounded the Deacons 44-10, and outrushed them 4.3 YPC to 2.2 YPC.
So how have these two combatants tonite done in their respective modes for this game (Clemson as a small road pup and Wake as a small home fave)? While Clemson had no opportunities LY as a road dog, they have gone 4-0 ATS and 3-1 SU (only SU loss being by one point, at Ga Tech, in 2006) in the two prior seassons (2005 and 2006) as road dogs of 1-4 points, with the same HC and a similar team. And if you expand the point spread range to road games L3Y in which Tigers were either faves or dogs in this 1-4 point spread range, you get a larger sampling (9 games) in which they went 6-3 SU. Contrast to Wake, which has been a model of inconsistency L2+Y as a home fave, having gone 0-2 as same (but double digit faves) in 2006 (their "glory year" when they finished 11-3 and played in their only BCS bowl in school history), then went 3-0 LY as home faves of 1-6 points, with average MOV (margin of victory) of 18 points, but then regressed to 0-2 ATS TY (1-1 SU), with a two point squeaker over Ole Miss as 7 point faves and that dreadful upset loss to Navy discussed in detail above.
So based on the above, we suggest going with Clemson on the money line at this good "plus odds" price, and also taking them ATS, but only at +3 (if your line is +2.5 but you can "buy up" to +3 for -125 juice or less, we would recommend that).Once individual team totals lines are released, we will do an update for our subscribers, in which we will likely have at least one individual team totals play as part of our full betting attack strategy for this game.Comment
