Clemson vs. LSU

[Spence]

Starting out to be a very good game. Looks like this is going to be a fun game to watch.

[Eric]

Clemson is playing tough defensively, but LSU was never an offensive juggernaut. This game is about what I expected it to be: LSU offense vs. Clemson defense being a relative draw, and LSU defense vs. Clemson offense a relative draw.

Tahj Boyd just missed a golden opportunity to convert on 4th down. He took the completely wrong angle and LSU is going to cash that in for points before the half.

EDIT: Picked off Clemson! I spoke too soon. I have a tendency to do that because I always expect the worst

[Spence]

Still has been a good game. Clemson has some nice speed coming off the edge. I still have a feeling this one will be decided in the last possession.

[Spence]

Man, you would have thought Dabo would have a better two point conversion play drawn up. You still get the feeling that if Les Miles plays it too close to the vest Clemson is going to get one last shot with three time outs in their pocket.

[Spence]

THe dline for Clemson is just on fire tonight. Them and the LSU special teams are the difference in the game for both sides. This has been a really good game. There have been some really exciting games so far this year.

[Spence]

Tough game for LSU fans. Great game for Clemson fans. You just kind of had the feeling that Clemson was going to get a shot at the end. You have to credit the Clemson dline on this one. They made the rode very tough for LSU tonight.

[Eric]

Any time you're talking about a 4th and 16 and a last second field goal, you're talking about one of the all-timers. That was one of the most exciting bowl games in the last decade in my opinion. Watching Tajh Boyd being a warrior out there was a lot of fun. He sailed some throws and wasn't always on, but when he needed to be, he made the perfect throws. There was an obvious pass interference on Nuke Hopkins that they missed, I was upset about that. But converting that 4th and 16 was legendary.

Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham shut up pretty fast about "SEC Speed." Clemson wore LSU down offensively and the "ACC Speed" wound up having the superior defensive line. Clemson's offensive line was clueless though in not picking up some of the blitzes, LSU was still dominating on the defensive line.

Les Miles needs to be run out of town (figuratively speaking) for his playcalling. I guess it would have worked if executed properly, but that's the point: It's not worth the risk. You could call a perfect pass play (and they did on 2nd down), but there's the chance that an average QB like Mettenberger may not convert. You run the ball and force Clemson to use their timeouts. There is no way Clemson marches down the field without those three timeouts. Miles needs to answer for that, because that was absolutely pathetic and taking a risk for taking a risk's sake. I'm glad to see it finally got to him. There's good times to take risks and then there are times where it's absolutely unnecessary, especially when you pretty much have the game in the bag.

[Spence]

I agree that Miles called a terrible game, but isn't that what he is known for as a coach.

[Derek]

I can't believe LSU dropped this one. Quite the shock IMO.

[Cane from the Bend]

The ACC did pretty well on the Eve of 2013 . . . outside of NC State, Georgia Tech & Clemson both came away with Big Game wins.

And one thing is for certain; no one is going to say the Clemson win was for lack of competition by the opposing team. The Chik-fil-A Bowl was hard fought on both sides . . . Fantastic game to watch.

Things could look up for the ACC. It'll be interesting to see how all plays out after conference realignment reshapes the field. But with Syracuse winning in the fashion they did; things only look better.

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And a Happy New Year! to you All.

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[Eric]

The ACC will get a big boost if Clemson can get their offensive weapons back, mainly Boyd and Hopkins. I think if those two come back, Clemson is a bona fide national title contender. There is still a mental toughness question surrounding this team, but tonight was an enormous step in overcoming that. They get Georgia and South Carolina from out of conference and obviously they'll play Florida State at some point. Should be an interesting year if those two come back.

The ACC will also field some more competitive teams from within the conference. Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Miami, and Virginia Tech all have room for improvement. I think part of the rise of the SEC has to do with the ACC not being able to haul in defensive studs. I remember in the mid-2000's, nobody was putting defensive players in the NFL at the rate of the ACC. Now the only team in the conference that really plays great defense is FSU, and probably Virginia Tech, at least for the last couple seasons. Everybody else can get gashed because they don't have the athletes. My theory is that the SEC is sucking them all up on the recruiting trail. I could be wrong though, I don't do much research

[warrriorsfan808]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! For Clemson any way, I could not believe it came down to the last play of the game! What was really crazy was my wife came back from the store in the middle of the 4th quarter, looks at the score and says "Clemson is going to win!" I said I don't think they will pull it off. Well we saw how that ended!

[Cane from the Bend]

It was a wonderful game to end 2012 with.

Interesting to note: during the first quarter, even with the game so close (when it was more than obvious the commentary had SEC/LSU blinders on), there was mention of Miles' history in regards to 11 win seasons, that stated how many he has, and with a win (last night) it would be another 11 win season.

No mention of Clemson's 10 wins, and 11th if they were to win last night's game . . . Clemson is now an 11 win team . . . tied a record for the most wins in a single season @ Clemson in decades . . . and the only mention of that, was by Dabo in the post game on field interview.

Also; the commentary kept mentioning the lack of protection for Boyd, but sparsely pointed out LSU's lack of protection for Mettenberger; eventhough Clemson had more sacks. As a matter of fact, there was no mention on that last drive how Clemson was actually adjusting to the blitz, and picking up major blocks.

In the post game interview; Les Miles never gave Clemson any credit, rather, gave credit to his defense for playing tough . . . he stated that: they (Clemson) had over 100 offensive snaps, and still had to come down the field and kick a last minute field goal to beat us, what does that tell you?

Ask me that question Les, I tell you:

a.) your defense could not keep Clemson's offense off the field

b.) your offense could not make a critical 3rd down and 2 in order to seal away a victory

c.) they won; you lost. . . oh, yeah, bad coaching might have had something to do with your team's loss, as well.

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[donovan]

For a guy with no dog in the fight....it was a very entertaining game. Today's lineups hopefully provide the same because in my arrogant opinion, that are pretty lackluster match-ups.