FACEOFF: Could Steve Spurrier win it all with Clemson’s talent?By Ken Burger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
 Would he get to play Bowden's schedule, too? This is a popular misconception perpetuated by wishful thinking. Poor old Steve Spurrier, if only he had running backs like James Davis and C.J. Spiller running behind a big-old Tigers offensive line, with a quarterback like Cullen Harper and a defense with skill and experience across the board. Man, oh man, the Gamecocks could really do some damage if the Head Ball Coach just had the players Tommy Bowden had on the football field. OK, sure, maybe. But, probably not. For one thing, there's the small issue of the schedule. Regardless of who Spurrier puts on the field, he's still got to play in the Southeastern Conference and nothing Bowden has done lately convinces me his Clemson teams could win the SEC East. Then there are the persistent whispers about how Spurrier's offense isn't on the cutting edge like it was back in his glory days at Florida. Remember, even when Spurrier had Gator talent, he only won one national title and arguably should have won five, or six. So, you can play those "what-if" games all you want. But the bottom line is what you got, is what you get.
Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5598. |
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Comments
This article has 13 comment(s)
Posted by Rooster07 on August 26, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He has Clemson's talent. No one has seen them on the field yet.
Posted by theballsiam on August 26, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He could have done way better than Bowden at Clemson, I know that for sure. He won the ACC at Duke for God's sake.. with half the talent Tommy has at Clemson now. How many ACC championships has Tommy won?
Burger can point out how he only won one NC at Florida, but that was playing a murderous SEC schedule all those years, PLUS Florida State every year. Tommy can't carry Spurrier's jock strap. Just like Burger can't write a good or unbiased article.
Posted by agoodsongmaker on August 26, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Guess we could ask would The National Enquirer elevate to legitimate journalism with the likes of Burger and Sapakoff? No, but these guys would get a whole lot more opportunities to 'what if' a mud wrestling contest between Paris Hilton and Lindsy What's-her-name and be considered for a Pooplizter Award for who cares journalism...
Posted by whiskeyagogo on August 26, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Silly question, Spurrier is a better coach than Bowden. The better question is why SC talent consistently chooses CU (or UF or UT) over USC. USC should have far more talent from SC and less from Atlanta.
Posted by youmanyo on August 26, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Spurrier is one of the greatest coaches ever and would win anywhere he went, except at usc . I just hope the poor guy can get out of there soon and does not end up disgraced like Holtz .
Posted by GoGamecocks25 on August 26, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Even more garbage than usual from Ken (Bulldog) Berger. At least he gives me more reasons to hate Georgia. Hope this years UGA-USC game turns out like it did last year. I would say I wish he would be replaced, but it would probably just move Sapakoff up, and I'm not sure which one is worse. At least the Post and Courier has Larry Williams and Travis Haney to fall back on. Maybe Berger should find a place where his readers share his intellect, such as Abbeville, SC, or Bishopville. I think he's a perfect fit for Statesboro, GA.
Posted by mcfadden00 on August 26, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spurrier won't work his butt of on the recruiting trail, so even if at Clemson, he wouldn't have that talent that Bowden and staff have worked for.
Posted by rebel1 on August 26, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Could SOS win with puttykats team and with their sch? What a stupid question. The coach at B E could( not trying to knock the coach at B E. he would do a better job than tammy) . Da# SOS won the below average coast conf at DUKE for crips sake.
Posted by ChasCarolinaGirl on August 26, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gooooooooooooo Clemson! Carolina has nothing on Clemson as usual. Y'all may be disappointed this year once again ... ;-)
Posted by sc294 on August 26, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A few thoughts; first, I'm not a fan of either. When considering how good a coach is recruiting and retaining talent (and possibly good character) is part of it. Bowden has a huge edge there. Spurrier is probably a better game day coach. I think the bottom line is Spurrier was running an offense that was ahead of its time. A few West coast team were on board but in the South it was grind it out. He ran a USFL pro style at Duke (when only Clemson cared about football) and at UF.
Posted by STREETLAW on August 26, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have said it once, and I will say it again. I will push a peanut down Folly Rd with my nose if Clemson beats Carolina.
Why not USC to win the SEC crown? It could easily happen. A few Gamecock players could suddenly blossom. Opponents could be plagued by injuries or get suspended for rules violations. The weather could turn in Carolina's favor in crucial games. Opponents could show up on the wrong day and forfeit.
All it takes is a little prayer and a little luck.
O.K. maybe a lot of prayer.
Posted by moonpie on August 26, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Florida will win more championships than they ever have. His day has passed him by and to boot he ended up at USC. Someone else posted about the talent not going to USC. Why woudl they go to Columbia,SC. Move that dump to IOP and now we got some recruits.
He surely makes them better and they have been in games they should have been blown out but not enough talent there like UF or CU.
Clemson? man they should win the ACC this year and yes if Spurier had that team they would but he doesn't and they won't!
Posted by Gamecockfan1214 on August 26, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow how does ken still have a job. Clemson is not that good. Spurrier would win the ACC if he had USC in the ACC. Clemson toughest opponent is wake and us. Wow anyone should win with that kind of caliber teams.