That Daggum Hokie Bird is Hot on Our Ass

The outcome of this weekend’s battle of offensive futility, or for you optimists stout defense , will fetter the losers chances at making the ACC Championship Game.  I could write a preview, but I will wait until after the game to either write a alcohol fueled hate fest for Bryan Stinespring or alcohol fueled love fest for Tyrod Taylor. For some preview let’s go around the blogosphere.

What to Watch vs. FSU [Gobbler Country]

Virginia Tech’s rushing attack will be the best FSU has seen so far, but there is no overlooking how good the Noles have been against the run this year. They’re giving up 79.5 YPG, best in the ACC.

FSU quarterback Christian Ponder is not the same QB the Hokies saw last year. He’s matured, made the quarterback job his and led a Seminole comeback last week on the road. The Hokies can’t afford to sit back and wait for mistakes from Ponder. They will have to put pressure on him.

Seminoles seek sixth straight home victory against Tech [Collegiate Times]

As of right now, both the ‘Noles and the Hokies have their heads above water in the wide-open Atlantic and Coastal Divisions.

The race to see who plays in Tampa this December for a shot at the ACC Championship is more open than it has ever been, but both teams must win this game if they intend to remain a strong player for the title.

ScalpEm [FSU vs. Virginia Tech Madness]

I think the Noles SHOULD pull this one out, but I’m not sure if they will. Does FSU have the talent? Yes. But the defense needs to play all 4 quarters on Saturday and the offense has to make a couple of big plays, while not giving VT any big plays. Special Teams will be important again, and thankfully Graham Gano has been hot with his foot.  Let’s hope he’s not overdue for a miss.

And one other thing, while I HATE the Hokie “Turkey Call” stuff… I do love their entrance at home…

The caller at 55 second mark breaks down and starts crying over the loss of Tommy Bahama Bowden.

Tommy Bowden has finally been fired.

I think that sums up this year for him quite nicely.

Clemson heads to Wake Forest in a game that sets up like a WWF loser and your fired match for Tommy Bowden.  Clemson fans are bearish while the Deacons have to be anticipating beating that bruised and battered ass.  I predicted a season of epic fail for the Bowden Bunch, but thought they would be undefeated heading into tonight.  Obviously I needed to underestimate Tommy’s coaching ability more than I already did.

Clemson being 3-2 and not 5-0 is forcing me to audible.  Bowden has fallen into must win mode a little earlier this year, which results in just enough wins to cool off the hot seat.  This year’s early losses may actually benefit the Tigers as far as the ACC race goes.  If they win tonight they are still in the thick of it.  I think they will put it together and win a close one tonight 23-17.

The Faildozer has a teamsters meeting and has the night off.

Florida State a former member of college football’s elite is notably absent from the pre-season coaches poll.  I am wondering why everyone so is down on Florida State.  Their record over the last three seasons has been an abysmal 22-17 and they haven’t beaten Florida since the Zook administration.   However I say buy low sell high.

Florida State realized their main problem was with their anemic offense and outdated offensive system.  They began fixing that problem when they jettisoned dead weight Jeff Bowden and hired Jimbo Fisher.  Their offensive struggles continued last year, the first in the Fisher system.  However, I think year two is when you will begin to see the payoff.  The players have gained experience by playing a year in the system and Fisher has been able to recruit new players and identify which current players are the best fit.

The schedule also sets up very favorably for the Noles.

• Western Carolina
• Chattanooga
• Wake Forest
• Colorado
• @ Miami (FL)
• @ North Carolina State
• Virginia Tech
• @ Georgia Tech
• Clemson
• Boston College
• @ Maryland
• Florida

Their four toughest games: Colorado, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida are all at home and they should be favored in  (and win) every other game.

At a minimum I have them going 9-3.  However, this could be the legitimate National Championship contender out of the ACC and not Clemson.  What if all the cylinders click early and often is it really inconceivable for them to be undefeated with Florida coming to town?  I don’t think it is out of the realm of possibility. In fact, I think at worst they will be 10-1 when they play the Gators.

Even though they have been down they aren’t out. FSU has talent and that matters.

I read a blog post fellating the 2008 Clemson Tigers.

In my opinion the Clemson Tigers have a great shot to win all of their games and possibly win a national title in the 2008 season.

I’ve read also read that the media have voted the Tigers preseason ACC Champions and Cullen Harper as preseason MVP. Wow, that is all well and good but their fucking head coach is still Tommy Bowden.  Tommy puts a hex on winning football games.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he was lurking the Patriot’s sidelines at the Super Bowl.  Witches and Wizards could liquefy and bottle his ass up as an anti-win potion.

• Here is how I foresee the Clemson season unfolding…
• Alabama – Clemson pulls away from a close game flexing their muscle.
• Citadel – Easy blowout win
• North Carolina State – Cullen Harper has a big game in a win against an over-hyped opponent.
• South Carolina State – Easy blowout win.
• Maryland – Another win against an over-hyped opponent.  Clemson moves to 5-0 and National Title talk begins.
• at Wake Forest – First road game and a huge upset at the hands of the Demon Deacon
• Georgia Tech – The most interesting thing about this game is whether or not Paul Johnson is still running the option.
• at Boston College – Clemson squeaks out a victory.
• at Florida State – Florida State takes the Tigers behind the woodshed for a 28+ point paddlin’.
• Duke – Clemson returns the FSU favor to whipping boy Duke.
• at Virginia -Easy blowout win.
• South Carolina – In a chance to save the season Clemson gets Fun-n-Gunned out the stadium.

2008 Record 9-3

Much like 2008 Clemson Tigers, Howard’s rock and “Running Down the Hill” are also vastly overrated.

“When Clemson players rub that rock and run down the hill, it’s the most exciting 25 seconds in college football.” –Brent Musburger (Asshole), ABC Sports

I prefer watching my offense take a knee to tick the final 25 seconds off the game clock due to my explosive offense and smothering defense, not because we rubbed a rock.