Categories
Sports

Clemson faked a punt in the playoff vs Oklahoma and it blew college football’s mind

As this play was developing I screamed “I can’t believe this is happening again.” After the pass was completed, however, the whole feeling of the game changed.

Categories
Sports

Sooners talked early, but Clemson delivered final word in Orange Bowl

Oklahoma talked *a lot* before this game, so I quite enjoyed watching Clemson thump them. That said, I don’t think there is going to be a lot of talk from Alabama before the title game.

Categories
Sports

A quick look ahead to the Clemson-Alabama national championship

> Clemson’s main goal is going to be stopping Henry, which is what Michigan State tried to do, but in doing so, it’s also going to have to put pressure on Coker. The Tigers actually executed this feat well against the Oklahoma offensive line. Clemson got a ton of pressure on Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and sacked him five times. Mayfield, who has been an additional rushing threat for the Sooners at times this season, finished with 10 carries for minus-15 yards.

The previews of the game are already starting, and this one sounds about right.

Categories
Sports

3 Clemson Players Suspended for Orange Bowl

Huge bummer. It looks like things are coming off the rails before they have even started.

Categories
Sports

Why are the playoff semifinals on New Year’s Eve again?

> This is confusing to everyone because New Year’s Day is a great time for a couple big games and New Year’s Eve is a horrible one – at least if you are one of the many people who A) have to work, or B) have other plans that night. In other words, tens of millions of you.

> So why is this happening? Why is college football staging its semifinals at a time that everyone predicts will cause fewer people to watch?

> Here’s the honest answer: the people who run college football don’t care about you. At all. Like, not one single bit.

Dan Wetzel does an excellent job pointing out how stupid of a decision this is. Even as a die-hard college football fan, I wish the games were on another day.

Categories
Sports

Suspended Florida QB Will Grier will transfer

This doesn’t make any sense. Grier would surely be in contention to be the starting QB when he got back. There has to be more to this story.

Categories
Sports

Dabo Swinney rents out a Frankie’s Fun Park for the Team

As I’ve said before, I can see why people have a lot of fun playing for Dabo.

Categories
Sports

Clemson WR Artavis Scott had meniscus surgery after ACC title game

So he was only 80%, but he’ll probably be fine by the bowl game? I’ve got my fingers crossed that’s true. They need Scott to win.

Categories
Wrestling

Dabo Swinney wins Home Depot Coach of the Year

I’m not sure Clemson is good enough to win the national title, but I’m happy it’s getting all this attention. In the long term, this can’t do anything but help future recruiting.

Categories
Sports

Dabo Swinney’s quotebox: To be ‘All In,’ ‘don’t buy the lie’ and B.Y.O.G.

Dabo’s the best. I hope he’s having good luck getting the Tigers ready for December 31.

Categories
Sports

Watson Wins Davey O’Brien Awards

Not a real surprise, since Watson was the only QB in the Heisman finals. That said, it is well deserved.

Categories
Sports

Derrick Henry, Deshaun Watson and Christian McCaffrey are Heisman finalists

Good to see Deshaun on the list. I think people have already decided that Henry is going to get the award, but I’m glad to see that Deshaun (at least) gets to attend.

Categories
Sports

Clemson DE Shaq Lawson says he’s declaring for the NFL draft

Not a surprise. Hopefully, he can leave as a national champion.

Categories
Sports

Clemson relishes break between games after playing 10 consecutive weeks

I wonder how much having to play 10 games in a row impacted them down the stretch. I am cautiously optimistic that they’ll play a little stronger come December 31.

Categories
Sports

Clemson to play the Sooners in the Orange Bowl

I guess I know what I’ll be doing at 4pm on New Year’s Eve.

Categories
Sports

Clemson’s resume makes for interesting debate, even with a loss

I hope it doesn’t come to this, but I feel like it’s going to.

Categories
Sports

Question for the committee: Does Clemson deserve to make playoff even if it loses?

Interesting column from Wetzel, but I *really* hope it doesn’t come to that (even though I have a fear that it will.)

Categories
Sports

Deshaun Watson helps Clemson stay perfect with win at South Carolina

This game was a lot closer than I would have liked, but Clemson ended up with the win (and Deshaun definitely [earned his helmet sticker](http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/121586/acc-week-13-helmet-stickers-deshaun-watson-leads-clemson-again)). Now comes North Carolina on Saturday, and I could not be more scared for how that game will play out.

Categories
Sports

Reports: Justin Fuente to succeed Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech

No surprise here. This has been rumored for weeks.

I guess it helps the ACC is Va Tech is good again, but I haven’t missed having to beat them every year.

Categories
Sports

Clemson coach promises pizza for 80,000 fans if Tigers make playoff

I hope Dabo has to make good on this.