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Textile Bowl
Saturday is another installment of the Textile Bowl. Clemson and NC State have a long history of a very good rivalry but this rivalry needs to be bigger.

The Clemson-NC State rivalry has so much potential but it really has lacked in recent years. I am not saying Clemson is a great football team this year or in the last couple of seasons but State needs to get better in order to make the rivalry better.

This is the fourth straight year where State does not have a winning record coming into the game. Actually the last time NC State had a good team was 2002 and Clemson was down that season. The last time both teams were good was 2000 when the Tigers were 5-0 and State was 4-0 entering the contest.

Bowden lost his first game against NC State but has since won six of the last eight in the series.

My thoughts based upon the potential of this rivalry centers on State and their situation. With all due respect to East Carolina’s recent success and Appalachian State’s D-IAA dominance, State is the only school in North Carolina who actually seems to care about the sport.

Wake Forest is on an unprecedented run under Jim Grobe but I just can’t see long-term success in Winston-Salem. The Tar Heels are obviously more concerned about basketball even though they have had stints of success in football. Duke is Duke.

State is the only school that seems to take football seriously in the state. North Carolina upped the ante when they decided to hire Butch Davis and bend over backwards to make him happy. In the end though, Tar Heels are basketball crazy. State is different. State wants to be good in football. Football at State is not always second fiddle. State people actually care about football success.

The ACC takes a beating on the national scene and rightfully so. If the conference wants to gain national recognition here are a few things that could help:
1. Miami return to national championship form.
2. Florida State return to its roots of being in the top five.
3. Virginia Tech needs to take the next step and compete again on the national level.
4. Clemson needs to take the next step and compete again on the national level.
5. NC State needs to get back and get back into the top 25 mode.
6. Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland or Boston College need to make a move.
7. Wake Forest needs to keep Jim Grobe.
8. The conference needs to win some key out of conference games.
9. The conference needs to win some important bowl games.
10. The conference needs more rivalries.

Number ten in this list is important but is perhaps the last step. The ACC needs the Miami-Florida State game to mean something. They need the Virginia-Virginia Tech rivalry to matter. NC State and Clemson could be that kind of deal but both programs, especially NC State, need to pick it up a notch.

I personally have no problem with any ACC program other than Clemson struggling but if the league wants to improve, a good NC State-Clemson could help.

Prayer Request
Last night I talked to Clemson soccer coach Trevor Adair and found out about one of his former players who needs our prayers. Edwin Wotortsi transferred to UNC-Asheville from Clemson and he was injured during a game last week. Wotortsi collided with the goalkeeper in a violent accident. He was rushed to the hospital in Asheville where he had his spleen and part of his pancreas removed. This morning Adair was on his way to visit his former player who could get out of the ICU unit today. I request that we keep Edwin, his family and friends and the UNC-Asheville community in our prayers. Coach Adair will keep us updated with Edwin’s condition and wanted to thank you for adding Edwin to your prayer list.

9/11
The world changed seven years ago today and it will never be the same. Sports took on an important role in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy and has remained in a different light every since.

Personally, sports are not crucial anymore. Instead, sports play an important role but not a crucial role. Since 9/11 sports play the role of release. Sports take us away from the stress of the real world and give us a release to get our minds off the real world.

Clemson football did just that on September 22, 2001. The Tigers were scheduled to play Duke on September 15, 2001 but the week’s college football games were postponed because we were still picking up the pieces from Tuesday’s events.

So, about 80,000 Clemson and Virginia fans packed into Death Valley the following weekend. I remember arriving to the game early because there was heightened security and personal searches. I remember a special video message from United States Senator John McCain. The inspirational video sent chills down the spines of me and those around me. I also remember American flags throughout the stands and red, white and blue shirts everywhere. There was a sense of patriotism in the stadium that day that I have never felt before or since.

The other memory I have that day is one that I will never forget. Clemson lost to Virginia that afternoon but there was no bitching and moaning in the parking lots. No one wanted to fire the coaching staff. No one complained about the officials. There was perspective.

This summer Ryan’s accident was another reminder of sports’ role in my life. It was only the second time in my life where I had to be reminded of it. Ryan is doing better each day and he will be stronger than ever, just like our country came back after 9/11. The sad part is that it takes such drastic measures to remind us sometimes.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Comments:

With today being the anniversary of 9/11, it is a day of reflection. Mickey picked up on that theme in reflecting on what the ACC needs to do to regain respect and its reputation. Regarding CU & TB, there are 2 great articles linked on the front page of TNET where the writers are reflecting on our image from the outside looking in. "TB v. USC's Carroll" and "Should Coaches Preach Religion to Their Players"

Adamant TB supporters love to defect attention away from the W's & L's and focus on what in their mind are more important intangibles and what a great ambassador TB is for CU. They see TB as the key to Clemson's ongoing positive image to outsiders. Well, these two articles are part of the mounting media evidence that once again the TB lovers are blind and getting it wrong, which only hurts CU in the long run. You can think whatever you want, be as blind as your denial will allow, but the view from the outside regarding TB is VERY negative!

Posted by flatiger66 on September 11, 2008 at 12:49 PM EDT #

PS: As usual I'll get flamed by the TB lovers, but that doesn't change the truth or the facts!

TB lovers are like scumbag defense lawyers - forget the facts and the truth, those can't be debated, so take the focus off the tangible and discredit the witness instead.

You know, "smoke & mirrors". Wait, where have I heard that term before? Oh yea, describing our joke of an offense under TB for 9 years!! Football is a man's game, not a girl's, which is why military terminology is so inherent in the game! I'm pretty sure Danny Ford, nor Bear Bryant, Pete Carroll, Beamer, or Nick Saban, et al, EVER resorted to offenses that were cute, trendy, fancy, or finesse. They just said my 11 are better than your 11 and we'll see you on the field. Man up!!

Posted by flatiger66 on September 11, 2008 at 01:07 PM EDT #

Where are these "TB supporters" and "TB Lovers" that people keep speaking of? I see two large groups of people - one group that wants the coach fired today, and one group that is very unhappy with where we are but wants to let the season play out and see if we win an ACC Championship before making that decision.

So where are these "TB Lovers"? I'm not seeing a ton of people rush to the defense of the coaching staff. What I am seeing is realistic people who know that a conference championship is still a distinct possibility, and who also know that a coaching change isn't going to happen mid-season. Being a realist does not mean anything more than being realistic.

Posted by tomerafan on September 11, 2008 at 01:14 PM EDT #

There are people on TNET, MANY, that will support TB even if we went 0-12. This team will NOT win the ACCCG, they'll be lucky to win the Division.

There are a bunch of TB supporters that don't care about the W/L record. They use intangibles to try and paint TB as a great coach.

Regarding "waiting till the end of the season", haven't we been hearing that for a few too many years regarding TB? I mean, seriously, this is his 10th year. How many seasons does it take for a good coach to get it done?

A solid coach in year 10 at a program like Clemson should NEVER be blown out or look absolutely inept. Not that most people that know football were still in doubt or on the fence regarding TB's obvious lack of ability as a head coach. I'm on record as questioning TB's abilities 6 years ago, but I guess it just takes some people longer to see the obvious! Sadly, some people NEVER see the truth. It's called being in denial, or delusional.

Posted by flatiger66 on September 11, 2008 at 01:51 PM EDT #

You know, I've been saying the same thing about the South Carolina rivalry. It's not much of a rivalry when we beat them all most all the time. In fact N.C. State has a better record against us during Tommy Bowden's tenure than the Cluckers. Yes, I know that the Textile Bowl can hardly compare to our rivalry with USuC.

Posted by milfordcttiger on September 11, 2008 at 02:26 PM EDT #

I remember being upset after that Virginia game. We had the game won and Woody allowed himself to be sacked, fumbling on the play. Virginia recovered the ball and went on to win 26-24. There were plenty of Clemson folks mad that day.

Posted by CLEMS75 on September 11, 2008 at 02:44 PM EDT #

LOL. Show me "many people" that would support a coach at Clemson that went 0-12. Please show me many. I don't even know how many people is "many" in your eyes. Tigernet has 76,000 users. I challenge you to show me 0.1% - one-tenth of one percent of registered users. Show me 76 handles of posters that would support a coach with an 0-12 record. That's far from "MANY" and I know you can't do even that.

Please back up your ridiculous diatribes. You opened your mouth. Now either put up, or put your foot in it. I'nm waiting for you to post 76 handles on the main board that would support a coach with an 0-12 record.

As far as "waiting until the end of the season"...like I said, I'm not happy either. But I'm a realist and I know that nothing will happen before season's end. Nothing.

Posted by tomerafan on September 11, 2008 at 03:13 PM EDT #

And, literally, LOL at your use of the word "delusional" to describe other people.

Posted by tomerafan on September 11, 2008 at 03:13 PM EDT #

lol, wow, what arrogance. who died and made you king? tomera, i posted opinions, why so angry and defensive? very childish.

and for the record, 76,000 is registered usernames, NOT active users. Everyone knows that. So please drop the demands and stupid theatrics.

look around this board, read the ludicrous comments and excuses for TB. you really think 100% of these folks would demand he be fired? very doubtful.

after 10 years, especially after our last 10 or 12 games, to think TB can make CU a consistent team and win championships takes blind faith, aka stupidity, or someone that is in denial or deluded.

Posted by flatiger66 on September 11, 2008 at 05:34 PM EDT #

No one died and made me king. I'm just a reader on this board, and I'm tired of people making baseless posts and comments like you did.

You consistently post ludicrous things and then have no backup. You said, and I quote, "There are people on TNET, MANY, that will support TB even if we went 0-12." Now back it up. Show me many. Show me even 50 people on this board.

I laugh at your quibbling over the number of registered/active users when I gave you the benefit of the doubt to call "many" the same as 0.1%. But, of course, you have nowhere else to go and nothing to back up your ridiculous claims.

I'm waiting. Please back up your opinions with facts, or else you'll just be that guy who manages to make noise out of both ends at the same time.

Posted by tomerafan on September 11, 2008 at 05:59 PM EDT #

Mick you are right,I love football and Clemson bout as best you can and always will.However there is something we must all face someday and that is we will stand before God,and that has to trump everything else.You know my good friend Im thankful for you and your loyalty to what is ultimatly right.Ive lived and died with this team since I was 5 and coach Howard was growling at everybody.He said one day he loved Clemson more than any one person,you remember that day I know ,every one hated Ken Hatfield,coach Howard was right,Clemson over all is bigger than petty seasons of sports though we love them all.Mick you know we love and continue to pray for Ryan and your whole family.It would be great to be no.1 again like 81,even greater though will be to enter heaven because we know Christ,and are bought by His blood.God bless Tiger nation,just think bout this for a lil bit.Hes in control of it all.

Posted by MBIGTIG06 on September 11, 2008 at 07:05 PM EDT #

Given how many people still blindly support TB, it doesn't take much logic, to know a fair percentage of those folks would cling to TB regardless of his failures. To think otherwise shows a complete lack understanding in human nature.

You yourself wrote .... "I'm not happy either. But I'm a realist and I know that nothing will happen before season's end."

Why are you unhappy? And if everything is fine, why would TB's job be in jeopardy at the end of the season?

Thus, If my dissatisfaction is baseless, then so are your comments. Hmmm, Obviously it's not me making "noise out of both ends at the same time".

Posted by flatiger66 on September 11, 2008 at 07:13 PM EDT #

Clems75, your memory is'nt that good. First, Woody was'nt sacked, he was stripped from behind on a misdirection play. Second, Virginia did not score on the drive following the fumble. On the drive after the punt, TZach got 3 straight carries and we had to punt. Thats when UVa kicked the FG that beat us. You can blame that loss on the coaches, they "allowed us to get beat" with the bad playcalling on the final 2 drives.

Posted by CM Shack on September 11, 2008 at 07:26 PM EDT #

Fair enough, FLATiger. You post nonsense, you get called on it, and you don't back it up. I didn't say your dissatisfaction was "baseless"; I also said that I myself am dissatisfied.

You are full of the proverbial baloney, though. You paint a bleaker picture of these imaginary fanatics that would follow our Coach off the side of a mountain...and those people just don't exist en masse like you claim they do.

And, of course, because you can't support your own argument, you duck the direct question. How very typical of you.

Posted by tomerafan on September 11, 2008 at 07:49 PM EDT #

just wanted to let you know, you 2 sound ridiculous, let it go

Posted by isleepwithafootball on September 12, 2008 at 01:51 AM EDT #

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Posted by 221.221.26.9 on September 21, 2008 at 07:29 AM EDT #