SC/Clemson Week

[gamecocknfire]

This will be my first time going to a game in Clemson. Hopefully we'll keep it rolling up there and take care of the taters.

Just glad that Ellis Johnson and company finally getting the players to understand this isnt just another game.

[Xnex]

This will be my first time going to a game in Clemson. Hopefully we'll keep it rolling up there and take care of the taters.

Just glad that Ellis Johnson and company finally getting the players to understand this isnt just another game.

Hopefully Stephon and Marty can heal up in time to play. I would be very worried to see what our defensive backfield would look like if we don't have those two guys ready to go 100% back there. And I really hope the entire team can put the thoughts about the SECCG out of their mind and focus only on the Tigers. I don't want to see us go up there and flounder at all.

[clemumo82]

After the constant "Can South Carolina and UGA play for the ACC championship?" questions last year, you don't want to hear "Can Clemson get a rematch with Auburn in the SEC Championship?" remarks.

I really think it all comes to how many points South Carolina can score on Clemson's defense. This Clemson offense won't score more than 17 on any decent defense, so if the Gamecocks can get to 20, I can't see Clemson winning.

[SacFalcFan]

After the constant "Can South Carolina and UGA play for the ACC championship?" questions last year, you don't want to hear "Can Clemson get a rematch with Auburn in the SEC Championship?" remarks.

I really think it all comes to how many points South Carolina can score on Clemson's defense. This Clemson offense won't score more than 17 on any decent defense, so if the Gamecocks can get to 20, I can't see Clemson winning.

that is true.. we won the ACC last year.. :P seriously though south carolina can not slip up and lose to clemson, but as we saw last year anything can happen in rivalry games and it wouldn't surprise me if sc loses this game.

[Billy Ocean]

What are you fellas hearing about Dabo's job security? Where would you put the odds on his returning next year?

[unconquered.]

What are you fellas hearing about Dabo's job security? Where would you put the odds on his returning next year?

I'm hearing a number of the coaches are on the hot seat.

[Billy Ocean]

I'm hearing a number of the coaches are on the hot seat.

If I were Clemson *shudder* I would can Dabo and go after Malzahn or Mullen.

[unconquered.]

If I were Clemson *shudder* I would can Dabo and go after Malzahn or Mullen.

They got the $$$. Just ask the recruits

[Billy Ocean]

They got the $$$. Just ask the recruits

Clemson has some generous boosters. Both on the books and off.

[Xnex]

Clemson has some generous boosters. Both on the books and off.

But they are still paying Tommy Bowden too and I don't think they want to have 3 HC's on the payroll simultaneously. Dabo is well on his way to bringing in a top 10 recruiting class this year also, maybe even a top 5 class. Since their current AD is the one who annointed Dabo as the man to turn the program around I don't think there is even a slight chance that Dabo gets the axe after this season.

If they are going to be serious about their football program; which they obviously are, then they should give Dabo more time to make things work up there. There will ALWAYS BE great, hot, coaching prospects that a school like Clemson could aquire. High turnover in the HC position can do more to undermine the program than a couple more years of middling records provided they are bringing in the talent to get things straightened out which looks to be happening, IMO.

[Billy Ocean]

But they are still paying Tommy Bowden too and I don't think they want to have 3 HC's on the payroll simultaneously. Dabo is well on his way to bringing in a top 10 recruiting class this year also, maybe even a top 5 class. Since their current AD is the one who annointed Dabo as the man to turn the program around I don't think there is even a slight chance that Dabo gets the axe after this season.

If they are going to be serious about their football program; which they obviously are, then they should give Dabo more time to make things work up there. There will ALWAYS BE great, hot, coaching prospects that a school like Clemson could aquire. High turnover in the HC position can do more to undermine the program than a couple more years of middling records provided they are bringing in the talent to get things straightened out which looks to be happening, IMO.

I don't follow Clemson as closely as you do, but when Dabo was appointed interim, I assumed that's all he would be. I just didn't and don't see him as head coach material at a school like Clemson.

[Xnex]

I don't follow Clemson as closely as you do, but when Dabo was appointed interim, I assumed that's all he would be. I just didn't and don't see him as head coach material at a school like Clemson.

You could very well be correct about Dabo. But when the Clemson AD went to the trouble of making it appear that he was doing an exhaustive coaching search for the single best candidate, and he still came up with Dabo I think he is tied to the decision for at least 1 more year and probably two. But there are actual Clemson fans on these boards ( I know because I can smell them :P ) and they would know much better than I what the odds are as far as Yabba-Dabba-Dabo holding onto the job. I just think they SHOULD give him more time, I don't KNOW anything about the reality or his situation, honestly.

[clemumo82]

Dabo is safe for next season, but might be changes on the offensive staff. I would hope so after this season.

The AD (who is awful) is pretty much banking his reputation on Dabo, so he's safe. Dabo should have never gotten the job period, but oh well.

Ah, another thread with Cody in it and his tired $$$ references. Clemson has been recruiting like this since Dabo came on board, but continue to think it is all $$$ if that pleases you. Clemson doesn't have near the boosters or money as FSU and SEC schools. As much as I dislike Dabo the coach, I can see why he is a great recruiter.

[unconquered.]

Dabo is safe for next season, but might be changes on the offensive staff. I would hope so after this season.

The AD (who is awful) is pretty much banking his reputation on Dabo, so he's safe. Dabo should have never gotten the job period, but oh well.

Ah, another thread with Cody in it and his tired $$$ references. Clemson has been recruiting like this since Dabo came on board, but continue to think it is all $$$ if that pleases you. Clemson doesn't have near the boosters or money as FSU and SEC schools. As much as I dislike Dabo the coach, I can see why he is a great recruiter.

Any new pictures with your guys holding massive wads of cash yet?

Edited November 24, 2010 by Cody #53

[Xnex]

Dabo is safe for next season, but might be changes on the offensive staff. I would hope so after this season.

The AD (who is awful) is pretty much banking his reputation on Dabo, so he's safe. Dabo should have never gotten the job period, but oh well.

Ah, another thread with Cody in it and his tired $$$ references. Clemson has been recruiting like this since Dabo came on board, but continue to think it is all $$$ if that pleases you. Clemson doesn't have near the boosters or money as FSU and SEC schools. As much as I dislike Dabo the coach, I can see why he is a great recruiter.

I can kind of see why he's good at it too. A few days ago Spurrier even said something along the lines of We've got a good in-state rivalry up here; I like Dabo, I think he's a good man and his team's play fair.

Then in Dabo's presser for this game I'm pretty sure he mentioned that Spurrier had even called him a couple of times this season to offer help and support when things weren't going well. I think Spurrier is being honest when he says that he likes Dabo.

[clemumo82]

Any new pictures with your guys holding massive wads of cash yet?

Figured the Kenneth Page pic would be your smoking gun lol. Do you even know where he is now?

By your brilliant logic, I can assume all FSU football players cheat on tests and get huge discounts from Dillards. There's at least a lot of solid proof of that, as opposed to one facebook pic.

[unconquered.]

Figured the Kenneth Page pic would be your smoking gun lol. Do you even know where he is now?

By your brilliant logic, I can assume all FSU football players cheat on tests and get huge discounts from Dillards. There's at least a lot of solid proof of that, as opposed to one facebook pic.

Whatever you $ay dude. I mean I don't understand why I doubted you. That 1981 NC trophy and all those ACC titles paired with Yabo...Who wouldn't want to go to CU?

[clemumo82]

Whatever you $ay dude. I mean I don't understand why I doubted you. That 1981 NC trophy and all those ACC titles paired with Yabo...Who wouldn't want to go to CU?

Bahaha, 1981? There's plenty of things to like about CU, but you're clearly just going to go the toddler route on this issue. I don't imagine Clemson appeals to everyone, but how about trying to unbiased and clear about it.

****, even a fan of Clemson's biggest rival here sees things more clearly than you. How old are you? 17?

[Xnex]

The follwoing article gives some of the details of the rivalry, along with some details that show how serious the hate has gotten to at times. It also says that the animosity has lessened recently and that both coach's think that is a good thing. Considering that there was almost a "mini-war" between the two student bodies with guns, swords, and boyonettes(sp), and the fact that the hate got so strong that the series had to be suspended for a period of time it's probably a good thing that the vitriol has lessened recently. Still, let there be NO DOUBT that the USC/Clemson rivalry is strong and that it is a rivalry in the truest sense of the word.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/wires/11/25/2060.ap.fbc.t25.south.carolina.kinder.rivalry.1105/

Posted: Thursday November 25, 2010 1:26 PM

South Carolina-Clemson rivalry gets kinder

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -The Clemson-South Carolina rivalry has never been known for its civility.

It started just seven years after Clemson was formed from a faction who wanted their own agriculture school away from what they thought was the elite arrogance of the University of South Carolina. There have been bayonets drawn after a loss and an on-field brawl that required dozens of highway patrolmen and local police officers to break up.

But as No. 18 South Carolina gets ready to play Clemson for the 108th time Saturday, the tension of the rivalry - at least between the teams - has cooled in recent years. The opposing coaches have become friends and players don't forget friendships often formed on high school fields in their small home state.

The 2004 brawl may have marked the modern low point of a rivalry that's always been chippy. The ugly, minute-long fight featured helmets swinging and players being kicked as they were sprawled on the ground. Both teams agreed to skip bowl games that year.

"I think we have a good, healthy rivalry with Clemson now,'' said coach Steve Spurrier, who took over the Gamecocks a few days after the brawl.

"I don't sense in any way that could happen with the coaching staffs in place and the players that are in place now,'' Spurrier continued. "I don't think there will be a lot of trash talk. I don't think there will be late hits. I think it will be a good, clean, hard-fought game and that's the way it should be.''

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said this week he's talked with Spurrier a couple of times on the phone this year, and the Tigers coach sent a congratulations text to Spurrier after the Gamecocks won their division in the Southeastern Conference.

The taunting between the teams, encouraged for years in the rivalry, has largely stooped.

Some Clemson players said the seeds of the 2004 brawl were sown when South Carolina players waited at the bottom of the hill to trash talk at the Tigers after they made their traditional entrance. And one of the best remembered moments of the rivalry for Gamecocks fans in the past 20 years was when then-freshman quarterback Steve Taneyhill pretended to sign his name on the Tiger paw at midfield at Death Valley after a 24-13 win in 1992.

"It's all about going out and playing football,'' said South Carolina receiver Tori Gurley, whose team is trying to win two in a row in the rivalry for the first time since 1970. "We may exchange a few words now and then, but when it comes down to it, it's about winning.''

Gurley even wears an orange shirt occasionally.

"My girlfriend thinks it looks good on me, so I have to wear it,'' he said.

Gurley has friends at Clemson he met on high school fields a few years ago, like many of the players on both sides. Swinney said he encourages his players to understand their friends' decisions to play for their rivals and embrace the spirit of the game.

"These players really have a lot of respect for each other. They are competitors. They are going to line up and compete and when the game is over they're going shake each other's hands and that's the way you've got to do things,'' Swinney said. "Things spill over outside the stadium but the players have a genuine respect for each other.''

The fans often take things worse than the players. James Quick is spending 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for shooting a friend over a $20 bet placed on the rivalry game. A 1949 Time magazine article about the rivalry has South Carolina fans throwing rotten tomatoes and grapefruit rinds at Clemson fans.

And then there is the 1902 incident that stopped the rivalry for six years. The Gamecocks won that game 12-6 after losing four in a row in the early days of the rivalry, including a 51-0 defeat the year before.

The exuberant celebrations by South Carolina fans included parading around Columbia with a picture of a Gamecock crowing over a Tiger. Clemson was a military school in those days, and some students got so angry they marched to the gates of the university with swords and bayonets drawn as South Carolina students with guns and clubs crouched behind a brick wall ready to defend their school. But cooler heads prevailed and the picture was burned.

The bitterness extends all the way back to Clemson's founding, led by Gov. "Pitchfork'' Ben Tillman, who organized farmers angry that South Carolina admitted black students after the Civil War and never did much to fund agricultural programs.

Spurrier and Swinney acknowledge the game means a lot to fans. Clemson supporters have spent a year hearing their friends and co-workers who are South Carolina fans crow about last year's 34-17 win at work, church, the grocery store and family gatherings.

But the coaches say the level of hate the rivalry had risen to wasn't healthy for either school.

"I realize some fans don't want to hear that, but I believe that's the way it should be,'' Spurrier said. "I think Dabo and his guys believe that's the way it should be, also.''

[gamecocknfire]

Just got back from the game and man what a huge win tonight. Glad we showed up and werent looking ahead. Winning the SEC would not be the same if we would have lost tonight.

1 Tiger down 1 Tiger to go GO GAMECOCKS!

[Xnex]

That is all.

[unconquered.]

Coc.k on the rock..

[gamecocknfire]

Ive always like the Rub our C.ocks shirts.

[Xnex]

Coc.k on the rock..

Good one. I like that.

I'm sure you're feeling appropriately ecstatic after the results in Tallahassee, and Maryland last night, huh? Congratulations on making it to the championship game. I'll make you a deal, I'll pull for you guys if you'll pull for us; how's that work for you?

[unconquered.]

Good one. I like that.

I'm sure you're feeling appropriately ecstatic after the results in Tallahassee, and Maryland last night, huh? Congratulations on making it to the championship game. I'll make you a deal, I'll pull for you guys if you'll pull for us; how's that work for you?

Oh yes man, you know it. Beating the life out of UF infront of 100+ recruits then Maryland pulling it out for us. Just wow.

But you gotta deal man. I'll be rooting for ya!