Stop the presses! Clemson breaks through for the ACC!
The story of the game: Auburn can't grab the splendid Tajh Boyd. (AP photo by Dave Martin)
For the ACC, the first leg of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic brought another cosmic flop. Tennessee, which finished below .500 last season, beat North Carolina State, which went 8-5 in 2011 and is expected to do better this year, by two touchdowns.That marked the fourth appearance by a team from the basketball league in this football event, and going 0-for-4 is how you get to be known as a basketball league.
At least the ACC’s first three Chick-fil-A losses came against SEC heavyweights — Alabama twice, LSU once. Tennessee had been slotted to finish fifth in the seven-team SEC East. (Behind Missouri, which hasn’t yet played a game in its new conference.) But the Vols beat State, and near the end a few Tennessee fans raised the chant, “SEC! SEC!”, but there was no oomph in it. Who crows over a point that has been proved a hundred times?
The SEC plays the nation’s finest football. That’s a cold fact. The ACC is the fifth-best of the Big Six conferences, and thank goodness for the defoliated Big East. But the weekend offered one last chance for the basketball league to hurl blows against the empire.
On Saturday, Clemson stood in against Auburn. This shouldn’t have been a matchup of peers — Clemson is the reigning ACC champ, Auburn comes off a fourth-place finish in the SEC West, and Clemson had beaten Auburn last season — but such is the disparity in the conferences that the ACC’’s orange Tigers were only a field-goal favorite over the SEC’s version of same.
Here we pause to note more similarities between the programs: Each campus sits roughly two hours from the Georgia Dome on I-85; each has won a national championship since last the Georgia Bulldogs claimed one, and each, in its orange Tiger-y way, is rather strange.
Auburn is coached by Gene Chizik, who was 14-0 with Cam Newton as his quarterback and is 21-30 without. Clemson is coached by Dabo Swinney, who is 1-4 against Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech. (Although one of those Tech victories has been vacated by NCAA sanctions.) Auburn is working with new offensive and defensive coordinators; Clemson, having yielded 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, is also under new defensive management.
Through three quarters Saturday night, there wasn’t a dime’s worth of difference between these Tigers. The game was tied at 16. Auburn’s defense, as prepared by the former Georgia/Falcons coordinator Brian VanGorder, was bending against the excellence of Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd but not quite buckling; the Clemson D under Brent Venables, formerly of Oklahoma, was yielding rushing yards but bowing up on third down.
Boyd’s issue was that he couldn’t catch his own passes. Without the gifted receiver Sammy Watkins, who is suspended for the season’s first two games, Clemson kept dropping passes. Two flubs late in the third quarter forced Clemson to settle for yet another field goal, and on the first snap of the fourth quarter tight end Sam Cooper had both hands on a Boyd pass but couldn’t hold it. (To be fair, Boyd threw it a tad behind his man.) The resulting interception led to an Auburn field goal and a three-point lead.
Falling behind galvanized Clemson. Far from dropping the ball, DeAndre Hopkins rose above his defender and, despite being interfered with, snatched a touchdown pass on a fade route. Inside the final 10 minutes now, and the basketball league had a four-point lead.
Technically, it was the first day of September, but the game had taken on a midseason feel. The Dome was packed and loud, both sets of fans roaring, both teams playing as if this was more than a non-conference affair two nights before Labor Day. There was orange Tiger pride on the line both ways, and there was surely conference chest-thumping at work, too. Not that the basketball league has had much cause for that lately.
On this night, however, the basketball league broke through. Clemson and Boyd did the deed. (And let’s not forget running back Andre Ellington, who rushed for 231 yards.) “A big-time gutsy win,” Swinney called it, not exactly underselling the moment.
But why should he? On its fifth try, an ACC team beat an SEC opponent in the Kickoff Classic. Just this once, the almighty SEC wasn’t quite so mighty.
By Mark Bradley
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131 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
September 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
The ACC saved face with Clemson.
I hope the Conference Champ is better than an average Aubie team.
Big year for chisik. Cam ain’t walking thru that door.
Poor Ruby Foster. Hope that $$$ works out for ya sport. If the tat is any indication, probably not.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
September 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
“Just this once, the almighty SEC wasn’t quite so mighty.” The SEC has NEVER been mighty period, except in the imaginations of writers who have likely never even played the game. Bama and LSU are indeed mighty programs, but it’s laughable watching the rest of the SEC chest-thumping, when they are mediocre at best (and that is a stretch). Take away the top 2 programs in each of the current big 6 conferences, and suddenly the SEC would be at best 4th strongest, probably 5th. The entire SEC Least is a joke (again), and the West has Bama and LSU (I don’t consider Arkansas to even be a top 25 team this season, but we’ll see in coming weeks) but that’s all. The rest of the teams (KY, Vandy, Miss St, Ole Miss, Tenn, Fla, UGA, SC, Miss, Ta&m) are nothing exceptional, and wouldn’t be any better playing in another conference, with the possible exception of the Big East.
We HAVE had a couple of teams that have been completely dominant in the last few years, and they happen to be from the same conference. That, however, does NOT make the rest of the conference better by affiliation. But I guess the Bubbas have to have SOMETHING to make themselves feel better, lol.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
September 2nd, 2012
4:40 pm
And I apologize Mark, if the start of that last post came across as a dig at YOU. That wasn’t my intent at all, but when I re-read it after posting, I realized I could/should have worded that first part a bit differently!
Pitbull
September 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
The Chiz is not much without Cam.
Aubarn used to have the best college team that money could buy.
Maybe the NCAA has shut that down. Re the game, Aubarn cut the Chiz Saturday night.
Maybe they will be better when they play in the Barnyard.
Gone Fishin'
September 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Another clueless nerd fan as a 230 grain bullet head…….I guess the NFL just keeps drafting SEC players in greater quantity than any other league becuase they read the hype. I guess the BCS records of conferences mean nothing when you actually play the games? Exactly what other league is considered better? Crickets…….
Salty
September 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
Are there folks who honestly think Oregon and GaTech run similar offenses? Seriously?
ESEC,(ESPN)
September 2nd, 2012
6:02 pm
Stop the presses!3rd qtr Louisville 32 Kentucky 7.Lets rip the SEC now Mr.Bark Madly.
Bring Back Ted Roof
September 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
I felt sorry for White, the Auburn DB. He was picked on all night. Also some very poor tackling. AU better get it together quickly or they’re going to be 0-2 after their visit to Starkvegas next week.
Bring Back Ted Roof
September 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
That 4th and 14 fake punt attempt from his own 20 by Joker has to be one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen. What the heck was he thinking?
ESEC,(ESPN)
September 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
What goes around comes around real fast in the real world.Have a nice day.
CLEMSONDUDE240
September 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
GO TIGERS! THE ORANGE AND PURPLE ONES………GREAT WIN CLEMSON!
jason
September 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Stupid article as clemson beat auburn last year and darn near beat them 2 years ago when aub won the nc.
Mike S.
September 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
I’m not sure I would consider this a breakthrough, Mark. No more than last year’s win over Auburn for sure. Auburn has been picked 4th in the West, and likely wont do much better if at all than 7 wins. Its clear Van Gorder has a lot of work ahead of him to revamp the defense, and the passing game is almost non-existent.
GT Girl
September 2nd, 2012
10:31 pm
Get points made by GT Grad on page 1 of these comments; also agree with comments made above by GT. GO JACKETS!!!
zeke
September 2nd, 2012
11:52 pm
Pretty good game. Some mistakes by both, but, if Auburn had a seasoned QB, I think the outcome would be different!
Hal
September 3rd, 2012
6:47 am
This kind of article that will continue to make the SEC so dominant in the eyes of the public. Ten years ago this would not have been you opinion and while true it is not the kind of article that is good for college football. Conference affiliation has never been as important as individual schools except on payday when the revenues are split. No articles like this has been written for any other conference because it has never happened before. It has never happened before because no one has placed so much importance on conference association since the SEC signed big money contracts with the networks. Now of course they cant legally pay recruits but they can pay the networks and sports writers to influence recruits with articles like this. It has only been the past four years that this type of article that belittles every other conference at every turn promotes the SEC. You should have delayed your article one day so you could include the Big East for Louisville beating Kentucky. What goes around comes around. Articles like this also plant seeds in fertile young minds to hate the SEC and go with the underdogs to beat Goliath.
trey
September 3rd, 2012
7:41 am
I was pulling for Clempson over the AU cheat$
Will somebody post the non-ACC games that the maggots play? Reading this thread would leave someone to think they play powerhouses all the time. lmao.
The Presbyterian Blue Hose (ROFTLMAO) game really oughta be a ….. well….umm…. you know…..tuff game for dem girls…lol
yellow britches
September 3rd, 2012
8:45 am
Looking ahead, always a big mistake, but I think Tech can run against Clemson. The Tiger ends seemed slow to the corners and there were plenty of missed tackles. We will have to control the game clock and keep the ball away from Clemson because they are an offensive powerhouse. OMG. Ellington and Boyd and Watkins, that is scary. Nice win Clemson! ACC, ACC
old dog
September 3rd, 2012
9:45 am
One of the top ACC teams against a mediocre Auburn at best………..
macrotech
September 3rd, 2012
10:54 am
Ahhhh….all the bitter cries of, “My team is better than yours” and “Our conference is DOMINATE”….LOVE this season!!! GO GT!!!
Lola R.
September 3rd, 2012
10:58 am
Bradley you must be a big homer. NC State wasn’t considered to be a better team this year and Clemson beat Auburn last year too. Clemson also played this game without their AA Watkins. Your “homerism” is so obvious. Wasn’t the last ACC team to beat Tenn was UNC in a bowl game last year? Double overtime wasn’t it? If it was up to you most SEC teams could beat the SD Chargers of the NFL.
Mr Objective
September 3rd, 2012
11:19 am
As a relatively newcomer to the area it appears that the SEC and ACC are not that far apart. The SEC does have one or two teams at the top that may be better than most but the rest are average. The ACC is more balanced with a number of good teams. As far as the ACC vs the SEC this kick-off game is at 10 – 10 since the mid 90s. Man you are a homer!
NCAA FAN
September 3rd, 2012
11:42 am
Say whatever you will but the Clemson Tigers would likely finish third in the mighty SEC. There are several ACC teams that could certainly compete in the SEC just not against Bama or LSU. But who can??? The difference is that the SEC has two elite teams and a bunch of teams that are good. Other conferences might have one elite team and a couple of good teams where as the SEC goes 9 teams deep with quality (UGA, UT, Aub., UF, Miss St., USCe, Ark. are good but not elite). The ACC likely has only one potentially elite team and that is FSU and they tend to underachieve. CU, VPI, GT and maybe UNC are good. UGA beats Tech but Tech has proven consistently that they can beat Miss. St. and Auburn. Only the Pac12 has two potential elite teams like the SEC in USC and Oregon but they are weak after those. The BIGI has no elite teams and doubtful the Big 12 does this year either (even though they usually have 1).
kenny
September 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
Its funny how everytime a ACC team beats a SEC team alot of SEc fans make excuses saying oh tht was a middle of da road SEC team tht lost smh excuses excuses!!!!! they said the same thing when Va tech blew tennessee out in the bowl game afew years ago. while i give the SEC theyre props for bein a great conference dont act as if he ACC is totally weak and doesnt have top notch talent in fact last year in the NFL there were more players in the Pro bowl than any other conference soo take tht and smoke it in your pipe and thts real!!!!!
Joe Bob Thibodaux
September 3rd, 2012
1:41 pm
Mark, I would have preferred Clemson over Missouri joining the SEC.
Good Win, Clemson. Enjoy.
JBT
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
September 3rd, 2012
1:56 pm
Word on the street….USA didn’t want to show anything before flying up to Columbia.
NoleRick
September 3rd, 2012
2:17 pm
Uhh…seems to me the Noles have consistently beaten SEC teams…so this is not a shocker…IJS
harold
September 3rd, 2012
3:26 pm
Clemson looks great. BUT TENNESSEE WAS SHOCKING IN THEIR WIN.
SAL WILL BE AN INCREDIBLE D COORDINATOR AT UT. BRAY-PATTERSON-AND HUNTER ARE NFL LIKE.
DOOLEY MAY HAVE BEEN TELLING THE TRUTH WHEN HE SAID: ‘YOU WON’T HAVE TENNESSEE TO KICK AROUND ANYMORE!”
ACC : The Latest Fuzz
September 3rd, 2012
11:40 pm
[...] against Georgia Tech in 1987.Score one for the ACC: Clemson knocks off AuburnYahoo! Sports (blog)Stop the presses! Clemson breaks through for the ACC!Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)ACC Football: Clemson Tigers Tame the SEC and the Auburn Tigers, [...]
robodawg
September 4th, 2012
9:41 am
Clemson = Auburn with a lake
Mightysecman
September 4th, 2012
6:25 pm
Hold on their buckaroos, Bama and LSU are the best in the SEC but USC (real one) is in the mix with them…and maybe Oregon. USC (Columbia) didnt impress anyone at Vandy and give them credit for a win but how man teams in SEC is 67 yards gonna beat?? Tennessee beat a sorry ncstate team that wasnt ready for prime time. For 3 quarters Auburn played with Clemson but the defense was gassed in the fourth quarter – the biggest difference. The SEC is the best football conference but Clemson won and Auburn lost.