I’ve got to admit, I found it more than a little odd when South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier found it necessary, when discussing the strengths, weakness and expectations of his team, to talk about Clemson’s schedule.
“I wish one of the sportswriters, when they start picking everybody's record this year, would write how they'd do if Clemson played South Carolina's schedule and South Carolina played Clemson's schedule,” Spurrier told The Charlotte Observer Tuesday. “They don’t do that. Clemson doesn’t play Virginia Tech this season. Alabama. Alabama could be difficult. They don’t play Georgia and Tennessee and Florida and LSU and those people we play.”
Oh, Steve. Bless your heart.
I know Spurrier is known for making digs at rivals. He’s become the coach everyone loves to hate. His wit makes him entertaining. The conflict he introduces is a dream for us in the media. But even the Ole’ Ball Coach needs to know his limits. Someone should tell him.
Hoss, your running off at the mouth was cute when you were winning games. When you spout off with a 21-16 record, it just makes you look like a brat.
So many things about Spurrier’s comments just confound me. First, why is his mind on the media to begin with? He wishes one of the sportswriters – stop right there. While I understand coaching isn’t done in a vacuum, let’s be real here, what he needs to be hoping and wishing for should have nothing to do with what us sports geeks do for a living. I have serious questions about a head coach who is willing to tell members of the press what he’d like them to write about. Kind of calls his priorities into question, doesn’t it?
I have even more serious questions about a coach who not only would wish to dictate what members of the press write, but also one who wishes sportswriters would analyze his rival’s schedule. Spurrier, for all of his bravado when he took this job regarding not comparing the Gamecocks to Clemson, sure does seem concerned four years into it.
I have my own opinion as to just how well Clemson would do with South Carolina’s schedule, and vice versa. The point is, that doesn’t matter. Spurrier, who should be exclusively concentrating on the X’s and O’s and goals for his team, is instead inviting all who care to listen to his griping to engage in fruitless speculation. What would Clemson do? Who knows? No one can know for sure, which makes the question idiotic and arbitrary to begin with. But beyond that, why should anyone, especially Spurrier, care?
The truth is, when Spurrier was building an SEC power in Gainesville and quipping about not being able to spell Citrus without “UT”, everyone saw it for what is was – the arrogant but entertaining words of a coach oozing with confidence at his program, his players, his prestige. The Spurrier loudly complaining about negative recruiting packages being sent to potential future Gamecocks and Clemson’s schedule is a different coach than we knew in the 1990’s. He is seeing his vice-like grip and strategic domination over his peers fade.
Steve, people just don’t see you that way anymore. Granted, you’re a prodigiously talented coach, and every coach in America will tell you that. But although your name remains Spurrier, the program you’re coaching remains South Carolina – and that, quite frankly, doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of many.
The man in the visor is desperate, I think. A precipitous fall to reality last season, a slew of legal troubles and an overall record hovering above .500 couldn’t be what Spurrier envisioned when he took the job.
I may be proven wrong (but I don’t think I will), but Spurrier’s deflecting discussion to Clemson’s easy schedule seems an attempt to insulate himself from the truth about his performance in Columbia.
In reality, it only brings it to the forefront. It throws into sharp view his clear concern for how his faltering program is perceived vis-à-vis the orange-clad enemies to the Northwest.
What he needs to be doing is coach up his boys and talk about “their” schedule.
One thing is for sure – he’s found a home in Columbia, where the football culture is becoming increasingly infested with SEC sycophants and excuse-makers. It’s a land where conference affiliation and scheduling is more important than wins and losses. But despite the fact that he clearly fits in there, it should still worry Gamecock faithful that their coach thinks that much about another team’s schedule. It is a loser’s mentality being espoused by a winning coach, which is never good to see.
“But anyway, that's the way it is. There’s no big deal about it,” Spurrier went on to say.
Yep, Steve, no big deal. Which is why you’re talking about it, right?
Discuss story 
iPod friendly version
July 31, 2008
6:55 a.m.Report inappropriate content
So next time maybe he should get your permission on what he can and can't talk about...you sound like an idiot that is scared to death that he is turning around a program that Clempson fans feel like should be dead forever. Your article makes you sound very petty and grasping at straws at something to complain and whine about. So the next atricle you write maybe you should ask Steve what you can write/talk about...that is about as much sense as your article makes. He is not worried about Clemson just wants to keeps things stirred up...and it appears he has...why else would you be worried enough about it to write an article on it!!
The best of luck to you in the future on a little more meaningful material
July 31, 2008
8:06 a.m.Report inappropriate content
This man has thus far in his carreer elevated himself to the position of reporter(not sports reporter, just reporter)for the local newspaper in Westminster, South Carolina, but he feels secure enough in his little corner of Taterland to disrespect one of the greatest college coaches of all time. What a set of balls. Talk about a wanna be. First, he needs to know that Spurrier was not talking to him. He was addressing sports writers from papers with a circulation that is not still delivered by children on bicycles. His little cubicle is probably a shrine to Clemson; from which he probably did not graduate, as they have no school of journalism. But then again is this ad salesman truly a journalist? He is today a hero of the Redneck Legions. He angers me as do the gnats that fly about my face on a summer's evening. He is no danger, but yet, he is another annoiance in my life that I wish I did not need to deal with. Yes, today he is a hero in his little village in the far northwest corner of our little state. But tomorrow, he will be writing again about the failure of the local sanitation company to meet its normal Tuesday/Thursday collection schedule.
July 31, 2008
8:12 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Andrew - funny thing is Spurrier got under your skin enough to make you write this childish article. So you are right, he dictates what you write. Further more, his statement is true. Clemson would not be picked in the pre-season rankings where they are if they were not in the weakest conference in the BCS (not my opinion ---- voice of the country on one of this weeks ESPN polls).
Thanks for the article & please continue letting the HBC dictate what you write!
July 31, 2008
8:17 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Sounds like you are comfortably in bed with Clemson. I suggest you roll over, plant a big wet one on Tommy's two faces and then y'all can both drift away in your dreams of a mythical national championship.
Wake up Andrew!! You must be having some kind of nightmare. You were dreaming that your Tigers were playing in the SEC and Tommy was frightened. That's OK, it's only a dream.
It's only a dream. Now run along and play in the ACC where you don't have to sweat. It's much more comfortable and... hey, weak sisters are easy to push around.
July 31, 2008
8:19 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Wow...I see this article struck a chord in the midlands trailer park already. Summer school must be slow today huh guys? The bottom line is that Stevie needs to keep his mouth shut until his current team, not Duke or Florida, does something on the field. I mean if they kept stats on arrests, USC would have some serious hardware in the trophy closet. He has done nothing yet with an average at best program despite all the condideration and hype the media wants to give him. I think your fan base is wondering if Steve can't do it, who can?
Good luck in your season losers!
July 31, 2008
9:30 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Just for clarification, guys - this is not an "article" per se, but a column - completely my opinion. I've seen it mentioned a few times as an article, and I just wanted to make sure our readers understand that this is but the opinion of a sports geek, and not strictly objective news piece.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
July 31, 2008
9:31 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Hammer meet nail! That article is right on the money. Spurrier should fall to 1-3 vs Bowden this year and that is all he should worry about. If that happens, Spurrier will not retire with a winning record versus Bowden; As I doubt he would either win 3 in a row vs CU or coach much longer anyway. You USC fans who try to defend his statements -- give me a break. That was a whiny thing to say to the media.
I will give you one less win versus your schedule, but that's it. Vandy, Ole Miss, Kentucky, heck even AK and TN are not that great. But you can't have it both ways. Either brag about your schedule and being in the SEC OR complain and make excuses. Even better switch to the Big East, I'm sure they'd be happy to have you. Maybe you could get the old Metro conf. rolling again!
July 31, 2008
9:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Wow! The shamecocks come out of the woodwork. If the ol ball coach wants to know how Clemson would do with South Carolina's schedule, all he has to do is look at Clemson's record vs. USuc. He complains about Clemson's schedule being a cup cake schedule but he can't beat the Tigers either. Instead he makes rediculuous comments that give the trailer parks of Columbia something to be excited about because lord knows his teams performances on the field are not doing it. Great article Andrew!
July 31, 2008
9:48 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Finally. Somebody in the media had the testosterone to write the truth about Spurrier. "The emperor hath no clothes." His whining and quipping about his rivals isn't so attractive any more.
However, South Carolina fans are understandably upset. They are more accustomed to the media-Spurrier love-fest in this state. You would have thought that he was the second coming of the messiah. Most of the beat writers in this state have had their heads so far up Spurrier’s tail feathers they couldn't smell the stench of decaying delusions drifting to the northwest from Columbia.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the ole ball coach is squirming in his garnet coup. He hasn’t delivered, and his in-state rival is getting all the national attention. He can’t outdo his in-state rival on the field or on the recruiting trail.
When he took the dead-in job against the advice of many respected coaches and athletic directors, he clearly showed both his arrogance and poor judgment – perhaps nothing more than a rebound fling with whatever he could get following his inept NFL foray and unhappy divorce from the Redskins.
Talk about tarnishing an otherwise great career (for a second reference, see Lou Holtz). The South Carolina football coaching job is a perpetual vortex swirling towards an eternal black hole of broken dreams. Always has been. Always will be.
The only thing left for Spurrier is to announce to his deluded fans that the enemy is at the gate, and it’s time to drink the final batch of Kool-ade. Nice job, Andrew.
July 31, 2008
10:08 a.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
July 31, 2008
11:05 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Spurrier has always maintained that he doesn't talk about Clemson. But recently he has brought up the subject of Clemson several times. Gamecock fans-don't blame a newspaper for writing an editorial about a coach who has a reputation for slammong others. I think that a big name coach wouldn't be worried about his rival's schedule. Also I don't condone sending recruits packages of negative info but for a coach to accuse a website guy without proof makes Spurrier llok pretty bad. Also Cock fans -if you want to hear a plethera of anti-Clemson comments, check out Kornbllot and the talk shows on 14400am.
July 31, 2008
2:02 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"I may be proven wrong" nice little window. Unfortunately your writing checks this season's Gamecocks aren't willing to cash.
The truth in the matter is this: Clemson is the "tallest midget" in the ACC. They almost always have a pretty easy season and frankly, Spurrier is right. If Clemson played the schedule S. Car plays it would be a completely different story (and article).
In closing- all I have to say is by the time we make it to the Clemson/USC game, I predict that both teams have established the confidence necessary to play up to their respectful conference's standings. Unfortunately that isn't going to bode well for our little ACC friends in the least.
Go Gamecocks!
July 31, 2008
4:17 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Hey Gamecock Alumni---worry about your own schedule--Do you realize you have an all time losing record vs ACC teams.. Join the NFL and brag even more!
July 31, 2008
4:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
GamecockAlumni (hard to believe those words go together now that I type them) why don't you guys ever just focus on what your team needs to do and what your team has done instead of worry all the time about what we lowly Tigers are up to? You and your fanbase have always been and will always be delusional. You guys don't deserve any respect until you actually do something...anything. The fact that your coach is now making excuses like every other fan doesn't bode well for you guys. He will have another below average season starting with a loss to NC State and will quiting for better times before January rolls around.
Good luck with all that loser!
July 31, 2008
5:03 p.m.Report inappropriate content
USuC got the right coach, always finding a way to show a lack of class. He got away with it at UF because he won games - still had a losing record vs. Bowdens though, and he could not stand it then either.
Regardless of how folks feel about the ACC or the SEC, this is an easy question and no argument necessary. Fact is the 2 teams play every year and have established records. I guess since Clemson wins 2 of 3 on average (8 of last 10), they would do better than USuC if they had their schedule. Period.
July 31, 2008
5:10 p.m.Report inappropriate content
GamecockAlumni,
The funny thing about Clemson's perpetually easy schedule is that since you joined the big, bad SEC 16 years ago, you are, statistically speaking, Clemson's 2nd easiest game. While the Tigers have lost more times at Wallace-Wade stadium than they have at Williams-Brice since 1992, Duke does hold a one game lead over South Carolina in the number of times beaten by Clemson since then. South Carolina does rank below every other ACC team you so callously refer to as "midgets". Perhaps Clemson's schedule would be a bit more difficult if South Carolina ever put together a more formidable team?
Finally, I haven't heard Urban Meyer or Mark Richt whining about FSU's or GT's schedule. Perhaps because those guys are not constantly looking up at their in-state rivals.
July 31, 2008
5:33 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Include this article in the next packet...
July 31, 2008
6:04 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Despite being a loyal Clemson guy, I have always been a Spurrier fan, and could even chuckle at his digs when they were aimed at my tigers. However, the latest jabs at our schedule are further proof that what I, along with many others, predicted about Spurrier taking that job has indeed come true. Columbia has yet again turned one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game into an excuse making loser.
I am not sure where our schedule bashing comment came from, as it is surely found in both "How to survive as a Gamecock" and "SEC Worship 101: Deflecting attention away from 100 years of futility," but at any rate, the schedule thing is tired and overused Stevie. I expected more from you. We've heard it brother. And sorry to inform that even though there is obvious truth in the notion that your schedule is tougher, it does not change the fact that our two programs are headed in dramatically different directions.
All you gamecock apologists on here bashing the little man who dared to blaspheme and call out your fearless leader, need to step back and re-read his assesment. Or at least print out a copy. Because at the heart of this editorial is the truth that you guys don't want to admit...For Stevie, it ain't about USC or Clemson, or the SEC or turning things around. It's about him and his ego, and his enfatuation with Clemson is just making that more obvious.
When he leaves you guys high and dry after this year or next, and you are begging for the glory days when fat brad had you winning bowl games and Lou had you beating OSU, pull out this article and realize how you should have seen it comming.
Don't worry. Mr. Moore seems like a nice guy. He probably won't run an editorial titled, "I told you so."
August 1, 2008
4:12 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Lol why do I worry about someone other than USC? I enjoy reading the news and occasionally things in Upstatetoday.com (baa zing!)
I do focus on USC. Maybe you should scroll up and take notice of who wrote the article relating to the other team first.
Wow, someone makes a dig at Gamecock + Alumni? That's cute coming from any Clemson fan. But I suppose I can't poke too much fun- you put together fluid sentences with those big words that always pose a problem for taters (i.e. the words "and" and "the"). Lol moreover I'm going to take a guess and say you're an avid fan with only an 8th grade education.
On that note, I'm tired of typing, Nov. will be the 'real deal'.
August 1, 2008
5:52 p.m.Report inappropriate content
As a Tiger fan, I have only one thing to say...START WINNING AND MAYBE PEOPLE WILL TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY!!!! Stop hiding behind your schedule and the fact that your in the SEC...no one cares! In the past 100 plus years WE OWN YOU!! Get over it...or find a Sorcerer to actually make Black Magic work.
On the bright side...Steve is a very healthy guy...maybe he wont die on you!
August 2, 2008
12:06 a.m.Report inappropriate content
A gamecock alumni who uses LOL....why am I not suprised? That goes a long way in proving your point about taters being the dumb ones. Give me a break.
Grow up little boy. Do you honestly think that everyone that goes down to that armpit you call a university is smarter than everyone that went or goes to clemson?
Dig deeper into your tired bag of Clemson slights..or better yet, move back down to Columbia where everyone is obviously so much smarter.
August 8, 2008
10:29 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I think this is hilarious. All you Clemson fans secretly know the truth and that's why you get into such an uproar over the OBC's comments. Enjoy living in the past and the 2 out of 3 close.. very close victories while you can - all 3 OBC games could have gone either way and you all know it. Consider this, due to injuries last year by the second half of the season, we could not stop Mcfadden and Co. and basically handed the Heisman to a guy named Tim Tebow - in short, we could not stop the run yet strangely, your Thunder and Lightening behind a veteran O line needed a last minute field goal to win. Hmmmm... interesting. It is an unmitigated fact that the ACC is a weak... weak.. conference (ask anyone) and it's not going to get stronger anytime soon. Guaranteed... if you played us at the beginning or middle of the year before our real schedule takes its toll on the critical depth that we lacked last year - you wouldn't have much to say. Sooooo... enjoy it while you can - playing a weak schedule, year in and year out will only serve to weaken your beloved team, yes indeedy...the same fate will befall Clem's "redneck" son as Miami, VA Tech, and Florida State while the teams in the SEC get stronger every year. See Miss. State, Kentucky, Arkansas, and yes... Carolina. The only thing keeping you afloat right now has been some strong recruiting but it won't last. But the Clemson fans in these comments prove at least for the present that the OBC has gotten under your skin and we all love that! Bring it on. Oh and good luck against Saban and the Tide - at least you had the stones to schedule an SEC team albeit a still improving one early. As for the author of this article, thanks for keeping the conversation going, 'cause we're happy to pile on and drive the other side nuts.