September 2, 2008

Bowden calls Saban, Daddy: "What should I do?"

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden got on the phone following his team's woodshedding to ask fellow coaches their advice on how to help his team recover from the humiliating loss to Alabama.

So... who did he call? Bowden turned to woodshedder-in-chief Nick Saban, as well as Georgia coach Mark Richt, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Papa Bowden, FSU coach Bobby Bowden.

"As I talked to coach Saban, I said, 'I'm not one to have enough pride where I've got all the answers. I see you got six months to study me, a guy like you, what did you see?" Bowden said Tuesday.

...

"Bouncing back, you have no options, and those were examples of teams that all did it," Bowden said. "Teams that were all very resilient."

Props to Bowden for having the stones to ask for help, I suppose. It's too bad that he didn't call me, though.

I would have told him to get the ball to Spiller and Davis more than eight times a game.

Take a peek at this handy-dandy chart:

Does anything stand out against... say... Georgia Tech? Virginia Tech? Boston College? Auburn?

In Clemson's four losses, either Davis or Spiller had single-digit carries. While that may work out against the Duke's and FCS teams of the world (where the duo spent more time rooting than rushing), it won't win you games against quality opponents.

So what did Bowden call against Alabama?

Look familiar?

Bowden didn't put his team in a position to win because he took the ball out of the hands of his two brightest stars. Clemson managed a mind-boggling net zero yards rushing.

Next time, don't dial long distance, Coach, just call Davis and Spiller... again and again and again.

HT: Rob

Comments:

Bowden calls Saban, Daddy: "What should I do?"
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden got on the phone following his team's woodshedding to ask fellow coaches their advice on how to help his team recover from the humiliating loss to Alabama. So... who did he call? Bowden turned to woodshedder-in-chief Nick Saban, as well as Georgia coach Mark Richt, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Papa Bowden, FSU coach Bobby Bowden.
"As I talked to coach Saban, I said, 'I'm not one to have enough pride where I've got all the answers. I see you got six months to study me, a guy like you, what did you see?" Bowden said Tuesday. ... "Bouncing back, you have no options, and those were examples of teams that all did it," Bowden said. "Teams that were all very resilient."
Props to Bowden for having the stones to ask for help, I suppose. It's too bad that he didn't call me, though. I would have told him to get the ball to Spiller and Davis more than eight times a game. Take a peek at this handy-dandy chart:
OPPONENT	DAVIS	SPILLER
Florida State	18	11
Louisiana-Monroe	7	6
Furman	9	9
N.C. State	24	21
Georgia Tech	12	9
Virginia Tech	6	6
Central Michigan	22	15
Maryland	29	17
Duke	8	8
Wake Forest	21	8
Boston College	12	11
USC	23	16
Auburn	23	8
TOTAL	214	139
Does anything stand out against... say... Georgia Tech? Virginia Tech? Boston College? Auburn? In Clemson's four losses, either Davis or Spiller had single-digit carries. While that may work out against the Duke's and FCS teams of the world (where the duo spent more time rooting than rushing), it won't win you games against quality opponents. So what did Bowden call against Alabama?
OPPONENT	DAVIS	SPILLER
Alabama	6	2
Look familiar? Bowden didn't put his team in a position to win because he took the ball out of the hands of his two brightest stars. Clemson managed a mind-boggling net zero yards rushing. Next time, don't dial long distance, Coach, just call Davis and Spiller... again and again and again. HT: Rob