The More Things Change . . .

This past Saturday marked the first game in the post Tommy Bowden era for the Clemson Tigers. Interim head coach Dabo Sweeney promised big changes both on and off the field and delivered mixed results at best against visiting rival Georgia Tech.

The Different

Sweeney's biggest changes probably came before the game even started by instituting the "Tiger Walk," a player procession from the athletic training facility just outside the stadium over to the team locker room. Fans lined to streets to cheer on the team and hopefully unify the students/alumni and players. Before kickoff, Sweeney stood at the top of The Hill, kissed the rock, and charged down onto the field with his team in tow. It was easily the most fired up a coach has been at Clemson in the past ten years. It was refreshing to see the head coach act as a leader and not standing off to the side planning his family jet ski trip for later that afternoon. On offense, Clemson pulled just about every play out of the bag. There were deep passes, reverses, options, some I-formation, spread formation, etc. You have to at least give Sweeney and co-offensive coordinator Billy Napier credit for trying. The "Chosen One," redshirt freshman Willy Korn, also made his first start ever at quarterback.

The Same

Unfortunately, a much different philosophy delivered the same result, as Clemson dropped its third straight conference game. The offensive line is so atrocious it makes me want to puke. They continue to open zero holes for running backs and barely allow the quarterback time to turn his head around before having to evade the pass rush. The Korn era was over almost before it began, as he was knocked out of the game on just the third series with a bruised shoulder when a Tech defender slammed into his arm mid-throw. Even with Korn, the offense sputtered to make any first downs. Cullen Harper relieved Korn, and threw two second-half TDs to Aaron Kelly (who the coaches finally remembered they had). Every other drive seemingly ended in a turnover, of which Clemson committed six. The most inexplicable one had to be the reverse option pass thrown by senior receiver Tyler Grisham. Grishman was all but tackled when he made the unconscionable mistake of trying to complete the trick play anyway, only to toss the ball right to a Tech defender who returned it for a TD. The defense again kept the Tigers in the game despite all of the offensive miscues. However, Vic Koenning's refusal to blitz on 3rd down and long continues to result in back-breaking conversions and big plays for the opponent. Tech scored a touchdown on a 3rd an 18 when a receiver was left unguarded on the sideline in Koenning's zone defense and converted a 3rd and 16 with a simple run up an empty middle of the line that led to their other touchdown.

At the end of the day there was still optimism about the future of the program, and Sweeney will get at least five more games to prove he is the man for the job. He may have to win every one to convince the school administration of that. The Tigers will have another bye week to regroup and come up with a better offensive game plan before heading on the road to face Boston College and Florida Stage.