Ten thoughts from the weekend

1. Remember that image? That's Richard Jackson missing another field goal in a 2009 loss at Maryland.

Nothing against Jackson, but the photo is a good encapsulation of what ailed Clemson's football program for years: Seemed they'd always find a way to lose, whether it be by missed field goals, dropped passes, busted coverage or ... something.

Man, oh man have they come a long way in a short period of time. Just last year, we went into games wondering how the offense would stop itself. Now we go into games wondering how anyone will stop the offense.

2. This is a seriously moot point now, but I disagreed with the decision to go for two with 3:25 left in the third quarter. Just thought it was way too early, and too high scoring a game.

If the Tigers go for two and don't get it, it's a different situation late with Clemson up 47-45 instead of 48-45 (assuming a made extra point). At 47-45, Maryland can win it with a field goal.

I do, however, see the logic of going for two for the purpose of further snatching the momentum from the Terps' grasp. It was a bit of a gut punch in and of itself.

And hey, they went for it and they got it. Hard to argue with it too much when it works.

3. Well Georgia Tech has officially returned to earth over the last two weeks. The Yellow Jackets were whipped up front on both sides of the ball in Saturday's loss at Virginia, and the offense looks like a jugger-not.

Over the first five games, the Jackets' offense racked up 34 touchdowns. Over the last two games, they have totaled five.

And the passing game ... yeesh. Over the first four games, the Jackets completed 31 of 47 passes for 927 yards and eight touchdowns. Last three games: 12 of 41 for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

Hard to see Clemson shutting down Georgia Tech's offense. It will still give the Tigers fits. But the task doesn't look as herculean as it did when the Jackets were putting up all those adding-machine numbers against weak competition.

4. What is it with coaches losing their minds and going nuts at media guys? I know we can ask some stupid questions, but goodness.

First Steve Spurrier takes his mic and goes home (or into a room without Ron Morris in it).

Then Baylor's Art Briles loses his mind in response to a completely innocuous question that wasn't even directed toward him.

And I'd missed Bo Pelini getting his feelings hurt over a newspaper article.

Then again, maybe coaches are just insufferable in general. Jim Harbaugh loved to mix it up with Pete Carroll when he was in the college ranks, and now this from Sunday afternoon.

And how about Chip Kelly going off on this Oregon fan who wasn't even being all that annoying?

These coaches need to take some of all this money they're making and purchase some chill pills. It's not the end of the world, guys. You're rich, and you get to coach games.

5. Is it me, or has ESPN analyst Brian Griese improved a great deal?

Can't remember the specifics, but there was a game a couple of years ago in which Griese did an awful job. When I saw his name on the docket for the Maryland game, I wasn't optimistic.

But Griese actually did quite well for most of it, making some good observations and insights that come from doing homework.

You can always tell who does his homework and who doesn't. Even supposed "football guys" can look like total buffoons if they don't take the time to study up on what they're covering.

And on the topic of former football guys not knowing what they're doing: ESPN needs to show some mercy to Lee Corso and everyone by taking him off the air. He is incoherent, and it is sad to watch because it's fairly clear he's not all there after his stroke.

6. Watched just about all of South Carolina's shaky win at Mississippi State, and that offensive line has some major issues.

Hard to believe that's the same group (excepting LT Kyle Nunn) that pushed around Georgia's big, physical front in the second game of the season.

I thought going into the season that the loss of powerful fullback Patrick DiMarco would be bigger than most people thought. You have to think he'd help some.

Marcus Lattimore is a huge loss, no doubt. But now we're going to see how good of a schemer Steve Spurrier really is. There's plenty of talent left on that offense. Combine that with a good defense and some weak opposition still left on the schedule, and anything short of 9-3 is a failure and an indictment of Spurrier as a tactician.

7. Watched some of North Carolina's loss to Miami, and I'd think Chad Morris will like what he sees on film from the Tar Heels' secondary.

The Hurricanes exploited North Carolina in the downfield passing game on double moves and hard play action. That's right in Morris' wheelhouse.

8. Some of you, after hearing Sammy Watkins set a school record with his 345 all-purpose yards against Maryland, might've wondered how that was a record when Woody Dantzler totaled 517 yards in 2001 against N.C. State.

The answer, supplied a few minutes ago by SID Tim Bourret is thus: The NCAA defines all-purpose yardage as running yards, receiving yards and return yards. Dantzler set a school record for total offense that day nine years ago, but he "only" had 184 all-purpose yards.

9. If this report on Pat Forde leaving ESPN and joining the Yahoo/Rivals gang is true, huge get for us and I'm proud to share the same network with him.

ESPN is losing some really good reporters. First Bruce Feldman, and now Forde?

10. Not trying to defend Clemson's defense here, because even Kevin Steele said they did a poor job defending Maryland the other night.

But C.J. Brown is legitimately good, and in my mind he's instantly become one of the more dynamic threats in the ACC.

If I'm Randy Edsall and wondering what to say to Danny O'Brien, I use a variation of a line from Back To The Future:

"Better get used to those headsets, kid."



LW