Clemsoning

In sports the first quarter is important, but just because things don't go great early doesn't mean the outcome is certain. But so many so called fans are so quick to ask "what happened?" instead of critically thinking and figuring it out for themselves. Most games are never decided until deep into the second half. Would you not agree?

Syracuse drives for a TD after receiving the opening kickoff, successfully executes an onside kick, then kicks a field goal to go up 10-0 before Clemson ever runs a play. Clemson scored, but the Orangemen extended the lead to 24-7. 

The Tigers were supposed to have a dominant defense and one of the best QB's in the country, but that doesn't seem to be the case. After dropping to 1-2, Dabo had spent the previous week making excuses and reminding critics of past glories, instead of making it evident that he was focused on the present, focused on turning things around immediately - like I think Brent Key, Nick Saban, or Kirby Smart would do. After the Syracuse loss Dabo could no longer dwell on the past.

Dabo has been too slow to change with the times, to address NIL and the transfer portal. Clemson may have won 8 of the last ten ACC championships, but now Miami, FSU, Georgia Tech, and maybe Syracuse are drawing even if not ahead of the Tigers. SMU almost upset TCU.

Clemson did score again to make it 24-14, and almost a second time before the half. They got the ball to start the second half, but couldn't stage a comeback. Is this the end of an era? 

After the big win over Clemson, I figured the Jackets might have a bit of a letdown. The offense did score 45 points. Would've liked it if QB King had played less. Doesn't look like Tech beating Clemson is as big a deal now.

Auburn lost at Oklahoma by a touchdown. The Sooners scored on a trick play that the referees should have called back as illegal. It appears that Auburn has improved, and could cause some trouble for UGA. Tennessee isn't going away. I'm not impressed by South Carolina, but next week Bama could spoil UGA's season.

Watched the late games at Rusty's house. Sorry but I don't see how people think that SC QB Sellers is a Heisman candidate. Kept taking sacks for huge losses, including when they were down on the one yard line about to score. Haynes King and Gunner Stockton are much better than Sellers.

During the SC @ Mizzou game the Tigers used a dropkick on the kickoff. There was a woman side judge on the crew of referees. They probably needed her at the Auburn / Oklahoma game.

Hope you didn't watch the Falcons. Zero offense. Phenix looks like a QB with only 3 or 4 starts. Got called for delay of game immediately after a timeout. Threw one pick six and almost another. Receiver had fallen down on the second INT. Eventually Phenix was replaced by Kirk Cousins, but receivers dropped two passes.

Panthers were punting from the Atlanta 48 yard line, and booted it into the end zone. Falcons ball on the 20. But Carolina had been offsides. Falcons made them kick over, backed up 5 yards to there Carolina 47. This time Falcon return man RayRay McLoud made a fair catch - on the 10 yard line. A loss of 10 yards.

Then the Falcons used up all their first half timeouts, and mismanaged the clock at the end of the half. It's not just one screwup, but one after another. And the most infuriating thing is that the head coach just stands there, no fire, no emotion, never speaking to anyone. The poor rookie QB comes off the field and sits by himself. No coach encouraging him, or telling him what's next.Falcons release veteran kicker Koo after his replacement booted all 5 of his field goals last week. This week the new guy missed his only two attempts.