June 21, 2007
Clemson backs out of Pitt series
Pitt AD Jeff Long announced that Clemson has asked out of the 2010 and 2011 home-and-home series. Pitt has honored the request and will now start looking for replacement opponents, however, Long is taking some heat from the Pitt fans because he team has played a series of I-AA opponents in recent years.
"Clemson approached us about getting out of the series because they wanted the dates," Long said. "At first, we balked, but then we began to talk to some other teams and, when we realized we had enough time to find an adequate replacement, we decided to go ahead and let them out of the contract."That's really all it was -- some times things come up. And some of the teams we are talking to as a replacement are very encouraging to me. We are talking to BCS conference teams, so this talk of wanting to add a I-AA is just not fair."
The Panthers have two BCS conference teams on the slate in 2008 (Iowa, Notre Dame), 2009 (North Carolina State, Notre Dame) and as of now 2010 (Notre Dame, Miami), 2011 (Notre Dame, Iowa) and 2012 (Virginia Tech and Notre Dame). For its part, it's pretty clear that Pitt won't be getting a home-and-home with Penn State.
Clemson's 2010 OOC schedule now looks exceptionally weak, with home games against North Texas, South Carolina, and Ball State. The 2011 Tigers OOC schedule lacks red meat, as well (Troy at home and at South Carolina). A quick glance at the Tigernet board shows that most CU fans aren't really happy at the prospect of Clemson dropping (yet another!) series. Bring on Furman!
Comments:
posted on June 21, 2007 3:38 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
@Pete - SC is on the Clemson schedule eternally, so I don't think you can judge any CU schedule on the basis that SC is there. Much like FSU-UF, yes it's there, but...what else ya got?!
posted on June 21, 2007 3:43 PM — link — abuse?
@War Eagle Atlanta - Silly Auburn man. Perhaps you don't remember that it was AUBURN that cancelled the 2006-2007 Clemson series, just a few short months after they backed out of the FSU series.
Not that Clemson has a great track record, they dropped the 2008/2011 Oklahoma series two years ago.
TrojanHorse said:
posted on June 21, 2007 4:08 PM — 75.75.86.11 — link — abuse?
Isn't this the opposite direction we want teams to go... I mean they (CU) are not scheduling a h/h with a current (or even expected to be.. i know no one knows now) national power.
This just kills me when teams pull this crap and then to look at their ooc and see the pansy arse teams that are left..
what a shame.. and todays shame goes to clemson.. to a certain extent.. Pitt as well
posted on June 21, 2007 4:16 PM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
Kev, Yea, I had kinda forgotten about it. The Clemson cancellation seemed to be about that all-important '7th' home game that schools can't seem to live without these days. At least we didn't wait until the last minute like we did with FSU. That was an embarrassment for the University. We should have taken the ass-beating in 1999 and then came back for more in 2000.
I seem to recall the ACC threatening to have all the schools never agree to play Auburn again. I wonder if they have forgiven us? GA Tech did!
Jackson SEC Fan said:
posted on June 21, 2007 5:07 PM — 69.144.103.34 — link — abuse?
The fact that Clemson is in the ACC gives them several games that "lack red meat". To throw S.Carolina into that category is a huge laugh. I can tell you that Clemson fans never think of the SC game as a guarantee "W" until it is over, especially now that Spurrier is getting the kinks worked out of the program. Did you not see that Furman and UL Montroe is on their schedule, not to mention Duke?
RazzMaTazz said:
posted on June 21, 2007 5:33 PM — 70.137.169.226 — link — abuse?
As a Clemson fan, I lose resect for Clemson when they play a weak OOC schedule. I respect schools like GaTech for picking up ND in addition to their (practically mandatory) in-state rival. And I respected Clemson when it picked up UGA (painful as it was) in addition to its mandatory in-state rival. The great teams aren't afraid to play tough OOC schedules. On the other hand, the polls and bowls seem to reward schools that have great records against weak schedules. (BYU ranked #16 last year and ranked #1 in 1985 when they didn't play anyone that finished in top 25.) I understand that it's financially important to get a 7th home game, but do people really pack the stadium to watch Clemson whoop Furman? And wouldn't there be an offsetting financial advantage to play a televised (TV-worthy) game like ND or UGA?
Zac said:
posted on June 21, 2007 6:19 PM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
This doesn’t' make any sense to me. This just doesn't seem like Clemson football in the least. I've never heard of that school backing down from a challenge. All I can think of is perhaps the money wasn't there like they thought it might be, and found more fruitful fields elsewhere. At least they handled it like professionals instead of with a bunch of law suits and such.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on June 21, 2007 7:14 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
Hmmm... this years schedule or clemson is pretty soft. The years Kev posted are also pretty soft (as of now). Clemson needs to save a little face and schedule someone above Pitt in terms of "status." Maybe they should knock on USC's door, they seem to be East Coast happy lately.
Regan said:
posted on June 22, 2007 12:37 AM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
I am a Clemson fan, and wonder what on earth they are thinking.
I was looking forward to seeing Clemson-Pitt, and Clemson vs. anyone else from a BCS conference because anyone knows that is how you get respect.
ACC Expansion was the (then legit) reason we ditched the home-and-home with Oklahoma, but the ACC hasn't yet improved to the level everyone thought it would when we added the 3 new teams. I wish we would have kept the OU dates now.
The recent series with Texas A&M went well, and in the next decade we have 3x SEC teams (not counting Carolina) on deck, but Clemson REALLY doesn't need to ditch quality OOC games in the future.
(For the record, those 3x SEC teams are Georgia, Mississippi, and Vanderbilt...)
Sorry, Panthers, I was looking forward to us playing ya :-)
Tomcat said:
posted on June 22, 2007 3:32 AM — 69.150.78.60 — link — abuse?
Ya the only time I ever attended a Clemson game it was at Kyle Feild in College Station.The Aggies whuped the Tigers real bad and I felt sorry for them.I'd like to see them play again.
I would also like to see the Scarlet Knights come back to Austin. Rutgers has improved since the last time the Horns played them.
Hookem-Horns
Gigem-AggiesRegan said:
posted on June 23, 2007 4:25 PM — 152.163.100.70 — link — abuse?
Doug (#17):
I will point out that Pitt is not Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, or LSU. In other words, it's not like Clemson's SoS will go down THAT much.
Secondly, the reason given for Clemson's backing out was "because they wanted the dates". We'll see what this means in the near future.
My bet is that Clemson's AD is just pining for the cash that comes from seven home games; it just doesn't make sense that Clemson would be "scared" of playing Pitt no matter how you slice it.
RazzMaTazz said:
posted on June 23, 2007 8:23 PM — 70.137.148.194 — link — abuse?
I wish Clemson would schedule one of the top Big Ten schools, like Ohio State. That way Clemson could notch a relatively easy win, AND gain BCS points for strength of schedule since the pollsters always overrate Big Ten schools.
I tabulated the bowl results since 1980 and found that all of the BCS conferences won just over 50% of their bowl games, EXCEPT the Big Ten . The Big Ten only won 33%. To me that proves that the Big Ten is usually overrated, and is the only BCS conference which fails to achieve parity.
Clemson has only played Big Ten schools twice in the last two decades but Clemson won both games big, whooping Illinois 30-0 and PSU 35-10.
So what could be better for Clemson than scheduling a big-name, overrated Big Ten school?Regan said:
posted on June 25, 2007 11:03 AM — 192.24.243.21 — link — abuse?
RazzMaTazz (#20):
I really like your spirit, bud, but just be aware the hornet's nest you're stirring up on ol' Fanblogs. :-)
Clemson has a good record with the Big Ten, and the 1978 Gator Bowl against Ohio State was sheer classic. I'd recommend that we get back to a level of success we had in the Ford era before calling out the Buckeyes again, though.
Although, Clemson should be scared of no one but Chuck Norris.
Joe said:
posted on June 25, 2007 1:14 PM — 75.182.55.172 — link — abuse?
Chuck Norris invented all of the colors. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.
On a football note, I think it should be mandatory that all BCS schools play at least one OOC BCS school every year. Clemson and Georgia should be forced to play every year. I don't really care what anyone has to say about that, it's the way it should be. I've heard it's actually a verse in one of the missing books of the Bible.RazzMaTazz said:
posted on June 25, 2007 2:04 PM — 70.137.148.194 — link — abuse?
Sorry Regan. I didn't mean to rile any Big Ten fans, but I didn't think they could read. :-)
I'd hate to see another Clemson player get punched by a Big Ten coach... though I do enjoy ocassionally watching the Woody Hayes video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEVJyf0ft3I). So instead, maybe Clemson should schedule an overrated PAC-10 school to earn BCS strength-of-schedule points. ACC schools are 5-1 against the PAC-10 in bowl games over the last decade. Seems like good odds.
Does Chuck Norris coach in the SEC now? :-)cock-n-fire said:
posted on June 25, 2007 3:53 PM — 167.127.24.69 — link — abuse?
The only thing 'exceptionally weak' is the SC jab. But go ahead and pencil in a W against the Cocks...I'm sure Fulmer & Meyer did the same thing!
And kudos on the ploy to get the CU/USC banter going this early...it IS the most entertaining!
Tomcat said:
posted on June 25, 2007 7:12 PM — 69.150.72.87 — link — abuse?
Hey #20 that way they could knotch a easy win.
Jim Tressle and the Buckeyes although sometimes overated are still aformatble opponent.
The ACC overall regularly schedules tough opponents more SEC and XII than other leauges.
#23 Joe I think Chuck Norris is a Gator fan.
Didnt Tom Cruise invent the Hoveround?
They come in Pink and Scarlet & Gold.
Hookem-Horns
Joe said:
posted on June 26, 2007 2:14 AM — 75.182.55.172 — link — abuse?
Chuck Norris doesn't coach anyone right now. He makes guest appearances in football games to play defense though. He has for years. For a video highlight reel of his appearances, go here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK6-KljouQU).
gatorstud said:
posted on June 26, 2007 9:30 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
hey joe #23...you say that now..but when people bring up floridas ooc schedule...you are one of the first to ridicule it......so if that is all you care about...is one ooc bcs school....then i guess gator fans will never have hear you bitch about our schedule again.....thank god for that....
as far as who invented the color pink...it's a toss up...between cruise and richard gere....
go gators ......and hokies
Joe said:
posted on June 26, 2007 11:56 AM — 75.182.55.172 — link — abuse?
Gatorstud, I hate to break your heart there homeslice, but I'm not the same Joe apparently. I have not once said anything about Florida (until now). I used to go by "USC = Univ. of Second Choice", but for now I am going by my name...drum roll please...Joe. I may change it again, and if I do, I'll be sure to announce it next time.
To address what you were saying though:
I myself am a Clemson alum and fan. I don't count USC as an OOC BCS foe because they are a permanent fixture on our schedule. Sure they aren't in our conference, and are in another BCS conference, but like UF plays FSU every year, they are always there. I want Clemson (and everyone else) to rotate a home/away with some random BCS foe every 2 years. If everyone did this, then each team would test their might against 2 other teams from prominent conferences every year. The other situation that I would approve of (since my approval matters so much to the powers that be) would be if a team had 2 OOC BCS permanent fixtures on their schedule (e.g. - Clemson having USC, Georgia; USC having Clemson, UNC (props this year, by the way); UF having FSU, Miami; Georgia having GT, Clemson; etc.). This is actually the situation that I prefer, but since most teams (especially outside of the SE US) don't have out of conference rivals, the other method would serve the same purpose.
Regan: I remember the 1 from that 5-1 when we got demolished by Cal. I remember the Golden Bears' QB wearing a shaded visor so our safeties and linebackers couldn't read his eyes and our defense was out of whack for the entire game. It was a good Cal team though, so I didn't feel too bad about it.RazzMaTazz said:
posted on June 26, 2007 1:42 PM — 70.137.148.194 — link — abuse?
Tomcat#26: I know (painfully well) that Clemson and other ACC schools traditionally schedule SEC and Big 12 schools, but those conferences aren't overrated like the Big Ten and PAC-10. Over the last decade, ACC schools only won 50% of their bowl games against the Big 12, and 37% against the SEC. On the other hand, ACC schools are 57% against the Big Ten and 83% against the PAC-10. I want Clemson to chalk up strength-of-schedule points and actually win the games! Of course in any given year the conference strengths could change, and on any given day any team can win. But based on the trend data from the last decade, I'd say that the odds of Clemson winning are much better against a bowl-caliber Big Ten or PAC-10 school than against a bowl-caliber SEC or Big 12 school.
gatorstud said:
posted on June 26, 2007 1:56 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
joe..#29......there is no way i can apologise enough for mixing you up with the "other joe".....
and i will agree with your ooc position....florida really need to put miami back on it annual schedule....in my eyes...you can't be the best...until you beat the best....but whos to say that if clemson schedules southern cal...or oklahoma....that when the game is played...that team is good at that time.....playing a 5-4 usc team doesn't do much good for your strength of schedule as would a 9-0.....as much as scheduling has to do with it...it also depends on how that team is playing also....
jmho....
go gators...and hokies...
Doug said:
posted on June 26, 2007 3:47 PM — 169.200.185.26 — link — abuse?
Regan (21) I'm beyond excited. Just yesterday a young intern @ work asked, "hey here you guys do some serious tailgating mind if I tag along?" My reply I don't take 3 grills to a tailgate for nothing" ... We just had a Clemson grad land a big job here and I mentioned the 3 grills he said, "Man you only need one" ... I said, "where I come from our meat don't touch!" .. Lee and Weatherford I think will struggle again with Jimbo's new offense. FSU/CU not my favorite teams but I do have my picture with James Davis from last years spring game. And we have a plan this year to get a picture with Daddy..Ever seen the commercial where the guys are awe- struck at the sight of B.Bowden? That's how we roll..
Doug said:
posted on June 26, 2007 3:53 PM — 169.200.185.26 — link — abuse?
you know the ACC/Big Ten challenge in b-ball.. should have it in football. I'll take this years Duke team over everyone except Wis. OSU or Mich..Duke plays Northwestern this year that will probably be their first win in 25 games. And lets pretend Notre Dame is in the Big Ten where they belong Duke also has them on the schedule another win for the lowly Blue Devils..
Tomcat said:
posted on June 26, 2007 9:44 PM — 69.150.72.87 — link — abuse?
#30 Razz I understand were your coming from and I really didnt know about the win percentages, thanks for the information.This past season the XII didnt do too well against the Pac-10
Washington St. OT win over Baylor
Oregon over Oklahoma close one
Oregon St over Missouri real close 1 point
California over Texas A&M first half was purty good then the Bears whupped a good A&M team
USC beat Nebraska
in the year 2007 the Pac beat the XII even though I know that the XII is a lot better conference. The XII did better against Big-10
Hookem-HornsJoe said:
posted on June 26, 2007 9:53 PM — 65.32.170.228 — link — abuse?
Damn I am so much in gator fans heads I don't even post and they bring me up??
Sorry Joe # 2 for the grief you took as gator fans are quite sensitive about scheduling. I mean they can afford to pay almost $70 million to coaches and an athletic director but they can't afford to play Miami on an annual basis? Go figure? LOL
Not only does Florida refuse to play Miami annually every year, but I do believe they may be the only Division One school that refuses to play REGULAR SEASON out of conference games outside the state of Florida. I think their fans call it playing like a champion??? Other fans might disagree... LOL
Let the Fur, or is it scales fly!!
Don't get too upset gator stud... Just havin' fun!!back to your regular programing...
gatorstud said:
posted on June 27, 2007 9:52 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
ha..ha...ha...joe #35...i knew you wouldn't be able to resist that one....lol....just wanted to make sure you were still out there..lol
don't mean to go off thread..but, what is this i have been hearing about fsu players getting thrown out of disney world...do not know if this story holds water..or even if it is a story....oh well
2 MONTHS AND COUNTING...LET'S GET THEM 2-A-DAYS GOING.....I NEED FOOTBALL
go gators....and hokies...
posted on June 27, 2007 1:10 PM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
RazzMaTazz: I think you're on to something with this Big 10 thing. They are in dire need of revamping the conference or they risk becoming irrelevant in today's football world. When are they going to take a cue from the rest of the country and get a 12th team in there so that they can play for a true champion? Having a 3-way split champion is sooooo 1980s.
The reason why they don't is probably as simple as they don't know what the hell to name the conference. "Gee, we really like 'Big Ten' and don't want to lose that prestige and name-recognition, and the rest of the country hardly noticed when we added an eleventh team and still kept the name, but I'm willing to bet they'll throw a hissy if we add a 12th team and still insist on being called ten."
Other choices? The Big 12 is taken, but perhaps "Big Mid-Western 12 formerly known as the Big Ten" might work. It's a bit wordy though. The could name the 2 conference divisions the 'Industrial' and the 'Farm'. Of course, that would create it's own set of problems, since naturally you'd have to split Michigan and Ohio State into different divisions, and one of them might resist being lumped into the 'Farm' division. Iowa, not so much being in the 'Farm'. Ohio State? Not a chance...
The most pressing question, however, would be exactly who the 12th team would be? The easiest and most logical choice would be Notre Dame, but you would have to send National Guard troops to South Bend in order to make this happen. Having fawned over ND the last 50 years, the national media have created a single monster that is virtually more powerful than many conferences. No way Notre Dame EVER agrees to an even split of TV revenue. They'd want a Mob percentage, "Okay, 90% for me, 10% for you guys". The new conference would also have to name itself in a similar fashion to a band whose lead singer has grown too big for his britches, "Mid Western 11 featuring Notre Dame", or the "Notre Dame 12".
But until the Big Ten, I mean Big Eleven adds one more, they will continue the downward slide into oblivion.
Joe said:
posted on June 27, 2007 10:07 PM — 65.32.170.228 — link — abuse?
From what I gather at Disney World there have been issues with gangs and other unpleasantness at the park in the last year or so. It appears a case of possible profiling by the security forces at Disney and it appears some group of orally committed recruits to FSU didn't care for their treatment. From what I have read the recruits did little to deserve what I believe was a real over reaction in giving these kids a lifetime ban from Disney. Again from my understanding no one was charged with anything and JMHO even though I am sure the kids weren't guilt free it does appear the Disney security people really over reacted.
From what I have read an apology and a rescinding of the ban is all that is being asked. These kids are considered high character and again JMHO but I would think Disney will move quickly to resolve this without involving the legal system if possible. If they don't I believe there are plenty of lawyers that would be itching to get a piece of the action since it seems a bit of profiling occurred. Disney has mighty deep and attractive pockets quite willing to be fleeced rather than this become an issue. JMO We live in a very litigious society today, and it would appear this one is quite pursuable though I doubt FSU, recruits, or parents want to make this a big deal.
posted on June 28, 2007 8:34 AM — link — abuse?
Not to go off thread, but there is only an accusation of racial profiling. I love FSU as much as the next guy, but this is *not* a college football story IMHO - some high school seniors got tossed at Disney. And to the accusation, I've seen Disney sponsor weekends to celebrate every creed, color, & preference on earth. The accusation is a great headline, but that may be all there is too it. Either way, it's *way* to early for FSU recruits to start getting their names in the papers. I suspect the university will give them a call about maintaining a low profile.
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Palmetto Pete said:
posted on June 21, 2007 12:23 PM — 216.9.250.6 — link — abuse?With all due respect, I doubt many Clemson fans would bemoan the inclusion of South Carolina on Clemson's schedule, though it Spurrier can build on last seasons victory that might change. An intrastate SEC is definitely a red meat game.