A return and Carolina/Clemson season wrap up
Whew. I'm back ladies and gents.
After a long, hard semester of school and a holiday season, I finally have time and energy to get back.
So, with the cordiality out of the way, let's get down to season wrap ups for football.
Clemson
The Tigers had a rough year, but are you really surprised?
A year after making it to the ACC title game, Clemson followed it up with a 6-7 record, and going .500 in conference. The losses of RB C.J. Spiller and WR Jacoby Ford really hurt the offense.
RB Andre Ellington looked to be heading to an All ACC selection, until an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, leaving Jaimie Harper to carry the load. The lack of the big-play WR also hurt.
WR DeAndre Hopkins showed potential, but he couldn't carry a passing attack led by the subpar QB Kyle Parker.
Defensively, the Tigers were strong. Led by DE DaQuan Bowers and DB DeAndre McDaniel, the defense kept Clemson in every game.
Clemson had strong line play on both sides of the ball, but Clemson needs quarterback and playmakers. Also, when the Tigers went with an old-fashioned, run-heavy offense, they did well between the 20's. I don't believe going to a more spread-offense is what they need, but to stick with a power, run-heavy offense may help curb the offensive performance.
They also need to improve finishing drives.
In hindsight, Clemson probably should've went with QB Tajh Boyd this year, and taken their lumps together. But instead, they will take their lumps at QB next year.
Also, they will have to replace Bowers and McDaniel. Don't expect it. Just like on offense this year, players like McDaniel and Bowers don't come along every recruiting class.
They are putting together an impressive class on offense with RB Mike Bellamy, WRs Martavis Bryant, Charone Peake and Sammy Watkins, and TE Eric McClain. The question is, can they hold onto these guys with the firings of coaches Billy Napier and Powell and departure of Chris Rumph.
If they land these players, I see an improved year. I see them winning 8 games next year.
Also, Coach Swinney made a smart decision to shake-up his staff. A more experienced offensive coordinator is needed to help guide the young coach.
Next year is crucial for Swinney. He is taking a high-risk, high-reward chance on the new coaches. If things improve, all will be well in Tigerland...but, if the team finishes sub-.500 a second year in a row, the murmurs of a new coach will be raised to screams.
Carolina
The Gamecocks have taken a step forward this past year winning the SEC East. The season ended on down notes with losses to eventual national champ Auburn and ACC title game loser Florida State.
QB Stephen Garcia made improvements this year, and will be the elder statesmen for QBs in the SEC next year. Also, WR Alshon Jeffrey had another strong year, and has placed himself to be the top WR in the SEC next year.
But you can't talk about success without mentioning freshman RB Marcus Lattimore. The young man gave Steve Spurrier his first true workhorse runningback since coming to USC.
The Gamecock offense could very well be a top in the conference next year with these three guys and a host of supporting players such as WRs Lamar Scruggs, Ace Sanders and DL Moore.
Tight end and fullback will be a question mark, and the offensive line will be replacing LG Garrett Chisolm and RT Hutch Eckerson.
Defensively, the Gamecocks were up and down. There were times, such as the Alabama and Florida games, where the defense looked liked world beaters. There were other times, such as the SEC title game and Arkansas games, where the D looked lost.
The loss of LB Shaq Wilson to injury hurt the defense a lot. Now, they will have to find a way to replace DE Cliff Matthews, DT Ladi Ajiboye, LBs Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson, CB Chris Culliver and K/P Spencer Lanning.
The Gamecocks are in position to take another step forward in 2011. Georgia is still rebuilding and will have to replace WR AJ Green; Tennessee is still another year away, and Florida has question marks on both sides of the ball and a new coaching staff. Kentucky should be down, and Vanderbilt will be Vanderbilt.
Also, Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn should be down in the West with a weak Ole Miss and a rising Mississippi State, while LSU looks to be the early front-runner for the West crown.
It has been a fun, but controversial, season.
I have no idea how 2011 can top it.
After a long, hard semester of school and a holiday season, I finally have time and energy to get back.
So, with the cordiality out of the way, let's get down to season wrap ups for football.
Clemson
The Tigers had a rough year, but are you really surprised?
A year after making it to the ACC title game, Clemson followed it up with a 6-7 record, and going .500 in conference. The losses of RB C.J. Spiller and WR Jacoby Ford really hurt the offense.
RB Andre Ellington looked to be heading to an All ACC selection, until an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, leaving Jaimie Harper to carry the load. The lack of the big-play WR also hurt.
WR DeAndre Hopkins showed potential, but he couldn't carry a passing attack led by the subpar QB Kyle Parker.
Defensively, the Tigers were strong. Led by DE DaQuan Bowers and DB DeAndre McDaniel, the defense kept Clemson in every game.
Clemson had strong line play on both sides of the ball, but Clemson needs quarterback and playmakers. Also, when the Tigers went with an old-fashioned, run-heavy offense, they did well between the 20's. I don't believe going to a more spread-offense is what they need, but to stick with a power, run-heavy offense may help curb the offensive performance.
They also need to improve finishing drives.
In hindsight, Clemson probably should've went with QB Tajh Boyd this year, and taken their lumps together. But instead, they will take their lumps at QB next year.
Also, they will have to replace Bowers and McDaniel. Don't expect it. Just like on offense this year, players like McDaniel and Bowers don't come along every recruiting class.
They are putting together an impressive class on offense with RB Mike Bellamy, WRs Martavis Bryant, Charone Peake and Sammy Watkins, and TE Eric McClain. The question is, can they hold onto these guys with the firings of coaches Billy Napier and Powell and departure of Chris Rumph.
If they land these players, I see an improved year. I see them winning 8 games next year.
Also, Coach Swinney made a smart decision to shake-up his staff. A more experienced offensive coordinator is needed to help guide the young coach.
Next year is crucial for Swinney. He is taking a high-risk, high-reward chance on the new coaches. If things improve, all will be well in Tigerland...but, if the team finishes sub-.500 a second year in a row, the murmurs of a new coach will be raised to screams.
Carolina
The Gamecocks have taken a step forward this past year winning the SEC East. The season ended on down notes with losses to eventual national champ Auburn and ACC title game loser Florida State.
QB Stephen Garcia made improvements this year, and will be the elder statesmen for QBs in the SEC next year. Also, WR Alshon Jeffrey had another strong year, and has placed himself to be the top WR in the SEC next year.
But you can't talk about success without mentioning freshman RB Marcus Lattimore. The young man gave Steve Spurrier his first true workhorse runningback since coming to USC.
The Gamecock offense could very well be a top in the conference next year with these three guys and a host of supporting players such as WRs Lamar Scruggs, Ace Sanders and DL Moore.
Tight end and fullback will be a question mark, and the offensive line will be replacing LG Garrett Chisolm and RT Hutch Eckerson.
Defensively, the Gamecocks were up and down. There were times, such as the Alabama and Florida games, where the defense looked liked world beaters. There were other times, such as the SEC title game and Arkansas games, where the D looked lost.
The loss of LB Shaq Wilson to injury hurt the defense a lot. Now, they will have to find a way to replace DE Cliff Matthews, DT Ladi Ajiboye, LBs Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson, CB Chris Culliver and K/P Spencer Lanning.
The Gamecocks are in position to take another step forward in 2011. Georgia is still rebuilding and will have to replace WR AJ Green; Tennessee is still another year away, and Florida has question marks on both sides of the ball and a new coaching staff. Kentucky should be down, and Vanderbilt will be Vanderbilt.
Also, Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn should be down in the West with a weak Ole Miss and a rising Mississippi State, while LSU looks to be the early front-runner for the West crown.
It has been a fun, but controversial, season.
I have no idea how 2011 can top it.
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