Yet More Random Thoughts

Random thoughts after another long weekend:

- I was glad to see the Tigers prove my prediction wrong last Saturday at Maryland.

In many ways, Clemson did to the Terps what Maryland generally does to the opposition: They won with balance, ball control, solid defense and, yes, a strong kicking game. Save for the hiccup at the end, it may have been as complete a game the Tigers have played in some time.

- Of course, this has been the baffling thing about this program for much of Tommy Bowden's tenure. One week Clemson can look like a world-beater, the next as if collectively the players have never seen a football. The up-again, down-again nature of business around here is the reason fans get so worked up year after year. There's no consistency.

Just when Joe Fan thinks it's time for Bowden to go, the embattled coach pulls out a fantastic finish. And then, when it appears maybe the engine is running smoothly down the highway, a rod is thrown or a wheel falls off for no reason.

Maddening, ain't it?

- Of course, the real winners through all this are the press/Internet site operators. Regardless of what happens each week, the readership/hits/listeners just keep on coming.

- So here's the next real test.

Home games with Wake Forest and Boston College loom in two and three weeks, respectively. Games which could be very well decide Clemson's postseason future.

But wait. Don't forget about Duke this Saturday. Noon start. No free television. Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Blue Devil fans more concerned about a basketball scrimmage later that afternoon...You've lived this nightmare before, haven't you?

Yep. A number of times in Durham, in fact. The last of which spelled the end of Mike O'Cain as Clemson's offensive coordinator.

Free this Saturday? Might want to take a road trip and see if you can't turn this one into a quasi-home game.

With what's on the line the next few weeks, it might mean more than you think.