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Huge Game or Big Game?
Every game is big and the next game is always the biggest game. But is Saturday’s game big? Is it huge? Is it the biggest game in the history of sports?

I can make arguments on both sides of just how big the game is but it might be difficult to convince fans that it is not a huge game.

The Game is Huge Argument
Here are a few items to support the idea that this game is huge:
1. National Title-If a team is ranked ninth in the pre-season then it should have national championship aspirations. I am not sure that is a realistic goal with this team and Clemson could still win it all even if they did lose Saturday. However, a national title dream would be a lot easier to envision if the Tigers defeat Alabama.

2. Momentum-The season is long but it would be nice to start the season with a quality win over a ranked team. This team could build some early momentum with a win on national TV.

3. Perception-If Clemson is to take the next step it will take wins over programs like Alabama. The Crimson Tide may not be the program they once were or will be in the next few years but this would be a marquee win over a big program. A win over an SEC team would help the perception that Bowden can’t win a big game.

4. Conference-The conference stuff doesn’t matter to me but some think it’s a big deal. For those that pay attention, any ACC/SEC games are big battles.

5. Confidence- A win over the Crimson Tide would validate this team’s preseason expectations and would give them confidence to get them throughout other big games this season.

6. Recruiting-Clemson recruits the states of Georgia and Alabama heavy. Any win in Atlanta and in the Georgia Dome gathers attention from Georgia prospects. Dabo Swinney and Vic Koenning recruit the state of Alabama more and more each year. A win over the University of Alabama only helps future recruiting in that state.

The Game is Big but Not Huge Argument
Here are a few reasons why this game is not as big as some would make it out to be:
1. Goals-Clemson can accomplish almost every goal they set even with a loss to Alabama. They can still win the ACC’s Atlantic Division. They can still win the ACC. They can still go to a BCS bowl game. They can even still have a national title chance even though it would be difficult. The only thing they would not have is an undefeated season.

2. ACC Title-The Alabama game has nothing to do with the conference title. The Tigers could lose by 100 on Saturday and it would mean nothing in terms of the ACC. This team could rebound for a loss and still dominate the conference.

3. BCS-Clemson could still get to a BCS game even with a loss Saturday by winning the conference. Even if they lost Saturday and did not win the conference, they could still make it to a BCS game with a 10-2 record. This scenario would be difficult because the Tigers play two D-I AA teams this year.

4. It’s Only September-Saturday is only the first game of the year. They will be remembered for the other 11 regular season games and any post-season play. There is plenty of time to make up for a potential loss Saturday.

With all of that said, I think it is difficult to think of Saturday as anything but huge. There was a time in my life where I was not sure if Clemson would ever play Alabama again. Saturday represents a chance to beat a big time program on a big stage.

If Clemson wants national respect then Saturday is a must. If the Tigers want to stay in the top ten then Saturday is a big game. If they want to make a big splash to open the season then Saturday is a must.

I tend to look at Saturday’s game as an opportunity instead of a burden. It is a great situation because they have an opportunity to impress but have an insurance policy in the next 11 regular season games in case they don’t on Saturday.

Clemson will get negative attention for playing The Citadel and South Carolina State but they could not have played Alabama with it were not for the flexibility those school provided. The Tigers were scheduled for a trip to Louisiana Tech but that game was not a national deal like Alabama. In my opinion the Alabama game was worth dropping Louisiana Tech and adding South Carolina State.

Big Game For a Few
I would never be able to tell Dabo Swinney that Saturday’s game is not huge. Dabo will be facing his alma mater for the first time and he has a ton of friends still close to the program. He also recruits the state very hard.

Vic Koenning and Tommy Bowden have both coached in the state of Alabama and this type of game is big for them because of past relationships they have in the state.

The Tigers have several players from Alabama so I would never try to tell Tyler Grisham, Jock McKissic, Brandon Maye, Brandon Clear, Byron Clear, Antoine McClain and Drew Traylor that Saturday’s game is not huge.

There is also a decent amount of Clemson alumni in the state of Alabama and it would be a lot easier to live there with a Clemson win Saturday night.

Blog Schedule
Tomorrow we will look Clemson’s offense and they might fare against Alabama’s defense. Wednesday we will take a look at the Clemson defense and what they will face in the Alabama offense. Thursday we will take a look at a few keys to the game and peak at the special teams for Saturday’s contest. Friday we will have our usual E-Mail Bag segment so send your questions to mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Comments:

Mickey,

The game this weekend will be a landmark for our immediate future. Lose the game and our BCS hopes are still alive and well; however, the opinion that Bowden cant win Big Games or the games he must will ring true and louder than ever before. Win the game ...... well, we all will know what will happen. FRENZY!!!!!!!

CuWrX prediction 20-10 Tigers!!!!!!!

Posted by CUwRx on August 25, 2008 at 12:20 PM EDT #

Huge. You want to know the real reason for NOT saying its huge? To protect Bowden in case of a lose.

Posted by truetiger1998 on August 25, 2008 at 12:25 PM EDT #

It's not "HUGE" but it is very important. We can still win the ACC and go to a BCS bowl with a loss. However, any aspirations to a national championship run will get squashed on Saturday with a loss to a mediocre Alabama team. Also, if we don't win the ACC, then this game is the difference between a trip to Charlotte and a trip to Atlanta.

Posted by Fluxus on August 25, 2008 at 12:43 PM EDT #

Sorry, but even if Clemson goes 13-0 no way do they get into the nat'l champ game with that pathetic schedule, they'd mostly likely get passed even by a two loss SEC team. Thats what happens when you play two Div 1-AA teams in the same year. Its a joke of a schedule.

Posted by drock4484 on August 25, 2008 at 01:07 PM EDT #

Huge game. Not a "must" win, but a Huge game. Just win baby.

Posted by CUFla on August 25, 2008 at 01:18 PM EDT #

biggest game of the year for me

Posted by 12 -+0 on August 25, 2008 at 01:38 PM EDT #

Posted by FORESTTIGER on August 25, 2008 at 02:46 PM EDT #

drock -
What is a joke is your logic? Did you read the entire blog?
We dropped 2 Div 1 schools (UCF wanted out, La Monroe could not move) to get SCSU and Bama. SCSU is a small school, but do you think LaMoo was a better challenge?
We play 2 SEC schools this year, so I bet they do not stand in our way!

Posted by tigerP94 on August 25, 2008 at 03:13 PM EDT #

Drock: If Clemson were to beat two SEC teams (Alabama & SoCar) and go undefeated, I think it's almost certain that Clemson would get a shot at the BCS NC game, assuming that there weren't multiple undefeated teams out there from The Big 6. A solid OOC performance by the ACC, and convincing wins by Clemson could also help Clemson get a title shot.

Do you really think that Ohio State wouldn't have gotten a title shot if they had beaten SC State and Citadel last season instead of beating Youngstown State and Ohio before romping through the Big Ten? They're all gimme's. I'd say that Clemson's schedule this year is tougher than Ohio State's was last year (when Ohio State lost to Illinois and still got a title shot).

Posted by Razzmatazz on August 25, 2008 at 03:32 PM EDT #

Winning is also huge because beating Alabama on national TV in a nationally advertised and hyped game would help with NATIONAL recruiting. Maybe we'd get more (presumably untouchable) top-tier prospects, like Craig Loston, phoning in from far away and asking for a visit.

Posted by Razzmatazz on August 25, 2008 at 03:40 PM EDT #

DROCK,IS JUST ANOTHER STUPID COOT.SUCK IT COOTY boy.

Posted by tigercrazynut on August 25, 2008 at 04:24 PM EDT #

I think it is huge, mainly because it will set the tone for the season, and will give the team a big opportunity to answer a lot of questions about itself. The offensive line and linebackers have to prove they can get it done against quality competition early on. The coaches have to prove they can match up against one of the best and not get out-matched in a big game. Cullen Harper, James Davis, and CJ Spiller all have to prove that the pre-season publications were not wrong in giving them all of the pre-season respect they received. Finally, the team in general has to prove that the Number 9 ranking is legit, and that they can take care of business against a solid team in the SEC. I hate to say it but this game will set the tone for the first half of the season and maybe even more.

Posted by Locotiger on August 25, 2008 at 06:28 PM EDT #

My expectations are in shambles for this game. I just can't justify predicting a win or a loss this Saturday. Too many unknown variables about both teams. My hope and desire is that this BECOMES a huge game by the end of the year - making the difference between an undefeated season or not.

Posted by RU4GOD2 on August 25, 2008 at 06:59 PM EDT #

Drock, how does one become so pessimistic about their favorite team? This is going to be a special season. Hope for the best.

Posted by Kinghunterx5 on August 25, 2008 at 10:35 PM EDT #

There are no big games... only HUGE games. I certainly hope the players think it is a huge game. Anything else would be preparation for defeat. Granted, we can look back on any game and determine its weight on the season, but before the game, there is only one way to look at it. It is huge.

Posted by greenbrick on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM EDT #

If we win, it would be a big win, but not huge. We've started strong before and fallen apart, so even if we win Saturday, people will still say Clemson hasn't arrived yet. We are expected to win. We need to win this game.

However, if we lose, it would be a huge loss. You don't want to stumble out of the gates and damage the psyche of your team. It would irritate our fan base, give fuel to guys like Mark May and Granny Clampett and put us in a hole. A loss would be a huge loss.

So in essence, if we win, it was just a big game. If we lose, it was a huge loss. But for us right now, it's the only game that matters.

Posted by TigerSpectator on August 26, 2008 at 02:15 PM EDT #

THIS YEAR, they are all HUGE!!!

Posted by cutgrfan on August 27, 2008 at 09:32 AM EDT #

HUGE GAME!! HUGE GAME!! no excuses or reasons if we can`t beat this overrated Bama team!!if we som ehow find a way to lose4 then it will be the same thing of underachivement all over again!it is PAST TIME for our Tigers to start winn ing this kind of game!!!!

Posted by Litefoot on August 27, 2008 at 04:56 PM EDT #

Don't forget Aaron Kelly - wasn't his cousin a starter for bama?

Posted by gb65 on August 27, 2008 at 05:52 PM EDT #