Troy at South Carolina Post-Game: Thoughts / Topics for Discussion Thread

This is why beating Clemson is so important, IMO. It’s not just that we hate them, although that’s part of it, for sure. It’s also that the state can probably only support one elite program, and for us to become that program, we need to beat them consistently and dominate recruiting. You’d think that if Spurrier doesn’t get anything else about the rivalry—and I’m sure he does—that he would at least get the recruiting angle.

I think Ellington’s foot injury will limit him which is a shame for CU, because he’s a star, but positive for us since we’re coming in healthier. I think Parker, Harper and Bowers all play at a high level. Parker has to justify walking away from a lot of money to be 6-6 in his last game in Death Valley. Harper is a junior, but plays like a senior – he will try to carry the team on his back. Bowers is on national watch-lists and is a potential All-American. He will be a mad man.

What I like, however, is that CU’s wide-outs and vertical passing game is not dominant, so that our run-stop defensive package should work well. I also like that our OL is vastly improved since last year – which matches Clemson’s DL improvement, plus we get Jarriel King back. All in all, while Clemson has a really good D, so does Florida.

I have to imagine that both staffs peaked ahead beyond Wake Forest and Troy respectively.

I wonder if we’ll throw the Wild-cock at Clemson again? Is that why Stephon (cough, cough, cough) didnt play much against Troy? Or was that a gimmick offense that the HBC doesn’t need with Lattimore and Alshon playing at first-team all SEC level and Garcia doing a solid QB job? Could we trick Dabo with the same gimmick twice? Will he have to waste valuable time to prepare for a wildcat just in case? Ahh…. football in the South …

for going 6-6 in year 2.5? Based on what he had returning, I wouldn’t if I was A.D.

Clemson’s defense is every bit as good as what many SEC teams have. Their problem on offense is bad receiver play and poor play calling (throwing too much, not getting the ball to Ellington enough).

Bowers is a monster. He could cause some serious havoc in this game. If we don’t contain him. He’s the kind of player who could make Garcia look like the Garcia of old. Granted, I think we run the ball a lot here, but you know what I mean.

The stars aligned a bit for Carolina yesterday, but we could all tell Troy is a strong team – we just got an early jump and took advantage of some unfortunate turnovers; every Carolina fan knows that’s the way it can go sometimes. Anyhow, the game was only inches away from being 7-7 in the first. And that was a nifty trick play in the second. Good luck with the rest of y’all’s season.