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August 27, 2004

Clemson Drops Sooners in 2008, 2011

Clemson dropped Oklahoma from the 2008 and 2011 schedules citing ACC expansion as the reason. No buyout fee was paid. The games were scheduled by former AD Bobby Robinson in 2001. The 2008 game was scheduled to be in Norman and the 2011 one in Clemson. The last meeting of the 2 teams was a 13-6 Clemson win at the 1989 Florida Citrus Bowl.

Clemson previously added a 3 game series with Temple (2 home, 1 away) after Auburn dropped a home and home with the Tigers. Pitt remains on the schedule in 2009 and 2010.

The article also mentions that Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips looked at cancelling the home-and-home with Texas A&M this year and next year but the Aggies couldn't adjust their schedule.

Phillips made the following statement:

"They’ll slap me around," said Phillips, predicting some fans would be upset at the cancellation. "There’s a lot of people who want us to play Oklahoma every weekend, or Michigan or Ohio State. When you play in a great conference like we’re in, you don’t need to play marquee teams every weekend."

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Comments:

  1. Fanblogs Author Kevin Donahue said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 4:20 PM — link — abuse?



    I recognize the mindset, but I can't say I agree with it. Very "small picture" on Clemson's behalf. You could survey 1,000 Texas & Oklahoma top prospects, ask them where Clemson was (or even who the mascot is!) and you would be hard pressed to find too many who do.

    I ragged the hell out of Auburn for ducking Clemson. Guess Clemson learned something from that incident, though: When you're outmatched, run.

    Sad.

  2. Jeff said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 5:27 PM — 24.197.122.162 — link — abuse?



    I don't disagree with you Kevin but when they took strength of schedule out of the BCS formula they encouraged this kind of thing and discouraged aggressive scheduling.

  3. Fanblogs Author Kevin Donahue said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 7:16 PM — link — abuse?



    That's true today. It wasn't so last year and there's no guarantee it will be the case in 2008.

  4. Jeff said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 7:20 PM — 24.197.122.162 — link — abuse?



    The ACC expansion reason was actually used instead of the extra home game for more money one that would've been used in the past at every school doing something similar.

    I did read some discussions about the move and it seems that people with coaching experience (HS level or higher) agree with it and the fans mostly don't.

    The reasons cited by the coaches is "depth-building" a.k.a. getting backups some snaps.

  5. Matt Yeager said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 8:39 PM — 4.12.29.71 — link — abuse?



    Come on, Jeff. This is 2008 and 2011 we're talking about. By then, the acronym "BCS" may just be a distant memory.

  6. Jeff said:

    posted on August 27, 2004 8:42 PM — 24.197.122.162 — link — abuse?



    Could be Matt and as you probably read, I didn't disagree with Kevin's first comments either. Don't shoot the messenger for attempting to explain part of the mindset behind something without actually agreeing with it.

    I still say the extra home game money thing is something most ADs get hung up on in these decisions but then again, Clemson has the 8th toughest schedule this year. Maybe the can lessen it by scheduling Nevada.

  7. Matt Yeager said:

    posted on August 28, 2004 3:09 PM — 4.12.29.71 — link — abuse?



    I dunno, it didn't work for Washington!

    (...evil grin)

    Yes, I know Clemson and UW are completely different teams, yada yada yada, but I just had to throw that in. It's one of the things you have to deal with with me being on this site.

    Sorry, Jeff. (*puts away gun)

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