Another conference win. Another collective sigh of relief.
The Tigers pulled it off once again and with a 20 point victory, I would say that’s solid.
I happened to predict a larger deficit than others. I predicted the Tigers would win 43-21. Several of my compadres thought that was a lofty expectation, but I think that was the doubt talking on their behalves. Tiger fans are just waiting for the season to take its downward spiral.
But guess what? There’s only one regular season conference game left. A 3:30 p.m. home game against Virginia, and C.J. Spiller’s and all the other Tiger seniors’ last game played in Death Valley. They will play like it’s their last, too. Be confident in that.
I am finally confident enough to say this: there’s no way we won’t go to Tampa.
You probably need to get your tickets. You can do so here. It’s finally time to kick back and enjoy the last home game. Enjoy the position in which the team has put itself. But mostly, relax! Oftentimes I feel like most fans don’t allow themselves to find joy in the season because they’re all too guarded and cynical. I’m occasionally guilty of it, too. I think it’s time to let go of the cynicism.
But back to my N.C. State prediction; I’m quite proud of myself, since I predicted the Tigers to win 43-21 and the final score was 43-23. I was closer in my predictions for the game than any other writer I read and any other person I talked to. I don’t think this was luck, either. For the FSU/Clemson game, I predicted a final score of 38-24, Clemson. The actual final score, if you forgot, was 40-24.
Yeah, I’m not an expert. I’m just a psychic. And since in my preseason predictions that I conjectured for the entire ACC season, I was one of the few and far between that predicted Clemson and Georgia Tech to meet in the ACC Championship–before one second of season play was performed–I think this is even more valid evidence a) why Clemson fans should feel confident that we’re going to Tampa Bay b) that I have proved myself of my psychic abilities and c) that if you gamble, you probably want to get in good with a gal like me.
Furthermore, I think that at this point, many people actually believe Clemson has a shot of winning the ACC and taking that trip to the Orange Bowl. I’m probably getting ahead of myself here. But at the ACC Media Conference, I was one of THREE media members that predicted Clemson to win the title. I was actually ridiculed at lunch over this. I maintain that this wasn’t a display of bias on my part. It was instead a display of the gift of foresight.
Hey, like I mentioned in my last blog, I also predicted Russell Wilson wouldn’t make first-team All ACC again. I don’t think anyone can disagree with me there. (I actually think it will probably go to Josh Nesbitt.)
In regards to All ACC honors, I wonder if C.J. Spiller will receive All ACC Player of the Year. Shoot, Saturday he threw a touchdown, rushed for one and caught a TD pass all in the same game–the first player in Clemson’s history to do so against an FBS opponent (in 1950, Ray Mathews accomplished all three tasks in a win over Presbyterian College).
Clemson’s staff probably never used Spiller to his full potential before this year, but they’re definitely making up for lost time. And could anyone blame them? What a Renaissance man!
In other surprising touchdown news from Saturday, how about that Jamie Harper? I was shocked to see the RB, who’s become known for his utility in short yardage situations, run 69-yards for a touchdown.
He almost screwed it up when he dropped the ball too early, but at least he crossed into the endzone. Since I unfortunately was not able to attend the game, I saw the infamous ball drop replayed on television numerous times, and it was clear that was the correct call. However, that was a rookie mistake, and he should’ve held onto that ball longer regardless.
One thing I am not confident about concerning the Tigers is the place kicking. That first 28-yard field goal kicked by Spencer Benton was U-G-L-Y. Hey, at least he made it, I guess. But he then proceeded to miss two extra point kicks. Mark my words–THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAINST GEORGIA TECH IN TAMPA BAY. Can you imagine how it would feel to lose the first ACC Championship game appearance due to missed extra point kicks? I shudder at the thought, but IF we indeed beat Virginia (or BC loses to UNC) and we are lucky enough to face the Jackets in Florida, I can almost guarantee the difference in the game will boil down to special teams.
Clemson’s squad has improved in every aspect from game to game except for place kicking. I don’t get it. I won’t dwell on it, though. I’m just thankful that indeed, Clemson looks like a better team every game. This is why I don’t fathom us losing to Virginia on Saturday.
Look up, Tiger fans. There’s a great month of football ahead.