Thursday November 12, 2009

Doom and Gloom

Doom and Gloom
I have read some posters on Tigernet and have heard from some callers on my radio show that had a disturbing attitude. I just can’t share the “doom and gloom” feeling some have heading into this weekend.

“The Tigers are gonna pull out their same ol’ collapse this weekend,” some say. Sure Clemson did not beat Boston College in 2007 and it hurt but 2007 has very little to do with this weekend’s game against NC State. The Tigers lost to Maryland in 2006 and it killed the Atlantic Division title chances and it hurt. However, that game has nothing to do to influence the outcome of the 2009 Clemson-NC State game.

Everyone knows Clemson has not won an ACC title since 1991 but I just can’t see how this will affect the 2009 game in Carter Finley Stadium.

Yet, some posters on message boards and a few callers on my radio show say they are scared of this weekend and have convinced themselves of a collapse in Raleigh. “This is the kind of game that scares me,” some have proclaimed.

Come on! Clemson may lose 56-0 to NC State this weekend but I can’t go into this contest scared of the Wolfpack. I just don’t see how Matt Ryan’s brilliant performance in Death Valley in 2007 or Aaron Kelly’s dropped pass that same game will have any effect on Saturday’s noon game.

I have read post by some posters that this is the kind of game Clemson always loses. Really? Always? Thanks goodness Jeff Davis did not feel that way in 1981. I am glad Steve Fuller and Jerry Butler did not have the internet distractions in 1978.

Is Hatfield coaching Saturday? Is Bowden coming back to be on the sidelines?

The other thing I heard is that a few fans are scared this weekend because NC State gives Clemson fits. Really? The same team that Clemson beat the last five seasons?

“But, Clemson struggles in Raleigh,” some argue. Really? Raleigh, North Carolina? The same place where Clemson has lost just five times in the last 28 years?

“But Tom O’Brien has Clemson’s number,” some add. Really? The same Tom O’Brien that is 2-2 against Clemson including the last two losses by a total of 40 points?

It is funny how our mind remembers what we chose to remember.

O’Brien may beat Clemson Saturday but it will not be because he owns Clemson. State may upset the Tigers Saturday but not because Clemson always struggles in Raleigh. The Wolfpack may beat the Tigers but it won’t be because of another Clemson collapse.

If State beats Clemson Saturday it will be because Russell Wilson executes. It will be because Clemson can’t contain Toney Baker or Jamelle Eugene. State’s defense may ruse up with their best performance in weeks or Clemson may turn the ball over.

And if the Wolfpack wins then shake their hands and congratulate them. But how can you go into Saturday’s game scared? Why go into it expecting bad things to happen?

In the glory days of Clemson football Tiger coaches, players and fans had swagger. I understand 6-3 football teams don’t have swagger but fans of 6-3 teams should not be scared of 4-5 football teams.

I guess the best attitude to have is to respect everyone but fear no one. I respect Russell Wilson, Toney Baker, Jamelle Eugene, Owen Wilson, George Bryan, Willie Young and Alan Michael-Cash. But State does not scare me and I cannot go into a game worried about what happened in other years with other teams.

Alex Rodriguez did not listen to the press or fans when they talked about his playoff failures and he lit up the opposing pitchers in this year’s playoffs and now has a ring. John Elway did not go into his final two seasons believing what some said about how he could not win the “big one” and he can away with two Super Bowl rings. Bobby Jones ignored the press when they called him a choke artist before he went on to win the Grand Slam.

If Clemson coaches, players and fans want to go into Saturday worried about what Phillip Rivers Torey Holt or Ted Brown did against the Tigers then we are in trouble. The only thing that matters is execution and any doubt or negative thought hurts execution.

Also I think it is fair to point out that the Tigers have a safety net below them this week. The standings in the ACC’s Atlantic division show us that this has come down to a two team race. Clemson and Boston College are tied with two losses but the Tigers have the tie breaker over the Eagles. No one wants to back into the division title but I am convinced that the Eagles will not run the table and win their final three ACC games. I don’t want it to come into play but I think BC cannot beat Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. So Clemson has a safety net still out there and can still phone a friend in the Cavs, Tar Heels and Terps if they need the help.

Good News
I wanted to pass along some good news from a Clemson legend. In the last couple of weeks Harold “Mac” McKeown of Mac’s Drive In in Clemson has had a few health issues. He was exhausted and had not slept well in recent weeks. Things got a little complicated when he became dehydrated last week and his energy was sapped even more. Last week Mac was taken to the hospital and the doctors prescribed a short stay at a rehab center in Anderson where he could hydrate and get his diet back in order. The facility specializes in physical therapy and Mac has responded well.

A friend and I visited Mac Wednesday and he looked much better. He was excited about football season and was looking forward to basketball much more than his afternoon physical therapy. He said the staff felt good about his progress and the plans are to get him back home ASAP. I would look for a rejuvenated Mac McKeown behind the counter at Mac’s Drive In very soon.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan.