The best sports talk in South Carolina. For 27 years.
High school football playoffs commence this week for 3A, 2A, 1A & SCISSA teams
Playoff pairings for the 3A, 2A and 1A state football playoffs were firmed up over the weekend. The 4A playoff pairings will be set after this Friday’s games.
2A Division One playoff bracket
2A Division Two playoff bracket
1A Division One playoff bracket
With it’s win at Tennessee Saturday night and a 7-1 record, USC has moved back into the BCS Top 10. The Gamecocks dropped from the top ten after their September loss at home to Auburn. They are now ranked 9th, just ahead of #10 Nebraska. The Gamecocks and Cornhuskers were the biggest movers forward this week, each improving four spots from last week.
Clemson, with its loss to Georgia Tech, suffered the biggest drop among the top teams falling six places to 11th.
LSU and Alabama are ranked 1-2 heading into their showdown this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Oklahoma State is sitting in the #3 spot poised to move up ahead of the loser of the SEC battle.
Stanford was the major benefactor from Clemson’s loss to Georgia Tech. The Cardinal went from sixth to fourth jumping over Boise State in the process. Boise is now 5th.
USC jumped back into the top ten in both national polls this week following its win over Tennessee Saturday night. The Gamecocks moved up four spots in both the AP and the Coaches Top 25 to #10.
Clemson fell five spots in the AP ranking to 11th and 6th positions in the Coaches poll to 12th following its loss last night at Georgia Tech.
In both polls, LSU is ranked #1 and Alabama is ranked #2. They meet this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The AP ranks Oklahoma State third while the coaches have Stanford third.
The BCS ranking for this week will be released tonight.
USC coach Steve Spurrier spoke with members of the media Sunday afternoon via a conference call to review Saturday night’s win at Tennessee and to preview this Saturday night’s game at Arkansas.
Sammy Watkins continued his sensational season in the loss to Georgia Tech
It’s been a long time since members of the Clemson football team have had to explain away a defeat. Prior to Saturday night’s loss at Georgia Tech, the Tigers had not been on the losing side since that forgettable bowl game in Charlotte against South Florida.
So in the aftermath of the disapointing loss in Atlanta, the Tigers took on the defeat head on. Something their defense couldn’t do with Tech’s offense. The number’s Paul Johnson’s group put up on the Clemson defense were staggering…383 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry, 39 minutes of ball possession including 13:03 of the fourth quarter.
When Clemson needed to stop Tech the most, down by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Tigers could not. The Yellow Jackets sliced and diced Kevin Steele’s defense for a 16 play, nine minute march, all on the ground, that effectively eliminated any chance of a Tiger rally.
The Clemson offense was also not up to par. The Tigers managed 399 yards with 304 of that coming thru the air. Without Andre Ellington at tailback, Clemson turned to DJ Howard and Mike Bellamy. They combined for 89 yards and two turnovers.
Quarterback Tajh Boyd was 23-40 for 295 yards but had two interceptions. One was particularly costly as it came in the end zone after the Tigers had picked off a Tech pass deep in its territory. That was one of the few times Boyd and Sammy Watkins did not connect. Watkins had another monster night with 10 catches for 159 yards and 1 touchdown, a 48 yard catch and dash to the end zone.
The Tigers will have two weeks to forget about this loss and get ready for their next game. And it’s a big one. It will be Senior Day in Death Valley with Wake Forest the opponent. A Clemson win and the Tigers will be going back to the ACC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons.
