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Maybe the big guys should play the little people less often
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After Clemson walked off the field at Death Valley and the Gamecocks shuffled into the locker rooms at Williams-Brice Stadium last Saturday, I couldn’t help but feel at loss.
The Tigers had routed S.C. State, 54-0, and the Gamecocks had overcome their usual offensive struggles to hold off Wofford, 23-13.
But there was just something not right about both games against Football Championship Subdivision schools. It almost felt like they lost, despite the scores.
While that’s taking it a bit to the extreme, I do believe neither team benefited much from playing the least-talented teams on their respective schedules this year.
Clemson, which also played The Citadel from the FCS, was in dire need of improving its defense. The Tiger unit was gashed by Alabama’s run in Week 1, gave up way too many passing yards against The Citadel and had tackling issues against N.C. State.
With big games looming, the Tigers’ three interceptions and a shutout might have given them a false sense of accomplishment.
For the Gamecocks, they’re not just happy with a victory. USC didn’t move the ball consistently against the Terriers, probably the smallest defense it will face, and it put more doubts in the team’s heads. If you can’t move it on Wofford, who can you score on?
For the small schools, I understand that these games are great. The money they make can stretch athletic budgets for the season. And I’m sure the Bulldogs and Terriers loved competing against the schools they grew up watching and maybe hoped to play for one day.
But what do the big boys really get out of it? The players don’t get up for these games. Georgia admitted as much when they opened at home against Georgia Southern.
And as unstoppable as Oklahoma’s offense appears to be, the 57 points and 487 yards put up against Chattanooga really don’t mean much, either.
By NCAA rules, a team can count one FCS game towards its push for bowl eligibility, meaning teams like the Sooners know they’ll make a bowl and schedule an FCS team to take away one risk of an upset, which would kill them in the BCS. The borderline bowl squads, like a South Carolina, need that one win because the conference slate is so difficult the postseason could be out of reach without it.
And don’t forget the coaches. That one victory can make the difference between the money truck backing up in their driveway or the movers pulling in to haul off their belongings.
In the end, it just seems that the winner actually loses. The fans usually sit on their hands, the players spend time joking along the sidelines and the teams are likely less focused for next week.
Think of it like this: Arguably the nation’s best program of the decade, Southern Cal, has scheduled a total of zero FCS schools under Pete Carroll. Maybe it’s time everyone else took notice.
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So, players spend time joking on the side lines & fans sitting on their hands?? Maybe Saturday in Clemson, but I didn't see that in Columbia Saturday. So, if you can't move it on Wofford, who can you score on? You apparently don't know much about Wofford. They are a team who deserves respect & have proved that the past 2 years in Columbia. To be the "least-talented" team you call on USC's schedule, how did they total up more rushing yards on USC than any time so far this year? All the USC fans' hands I saw Saturday were covering their eyes & mouths afraid they were going to get their fannies beat. Wofford is the defending SoCon Champs that you were too critical of & not giving them the credit they deserve. They beat Appalachian State who beat Michigan last year. USC may have won Saturday, but they were also embarrassed. Wofford has a team that may not be the biggest, but they have endurance & strength to hang in their with the big boys. Wofford, you have my congratulations! Well played & impressive game!!
Regarding Wofford vs U. of S. Carolina, I was there and SC was lucky to eek out a win. There were no SC players joking on the sidelines. They were struggling to squeeze out a win against a smaller but equally talented Wofford team.
in response to Niam
Thank you for your reply! I think the writer of the story should have based the story on Clemson's game because he apparently wasn't at the USC game. This is the first writer to give Wofford a negative viewpoint after the USC game that I've read! Doesn't make sense to me??
Wofford's defense is ranked last in the Southern Conference. Keep in mind that Wofford's triple option attack shortens the game by keeping the clock running. They usually have really long drives on offense keeping the defense off the field. So those two facts combined show just how bad Wofford's defense has been to be ranked last in their conference in defense. It mean that it has been so bad so far...that they are giving up more yardage despite being on the field shorter amounts of time.
Wofford is a good team. A great Southern Conference team. I dont think the writer was taking shots at them. But Wofford has no business hanging tough in a game with South Carolina. Even Lou Holtz's old offense pounded Wofford in 2001. How does Spurrier struggle against them twice? Anybody that knows football should know that Wofford hanging tight was more of USC being bad than Wofford being good. At least that is the case this particular night.
And I didn't notice and Gamecocks on the sideline against Wofford...but if so at least they won. I did however see a few laughing faces on the Gamecock sideline during Vandy's final drive of that game. Made me sick.
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