Paladins Need to Drop their Bad Wildcat Habit

What started as a nightmare has turned into a potentially glorious season for Furman football. For only the second time in the last seven years, the Paladins will play games in November that count for something more than pride.

With their Homecoming win over 20th-ranked Samford, the Southern Conference frontrunner, Furman moved itself into position to potentially win the conference title. It was a win that no one would have anticipated as late as October 18, and it demonstrated the marked improvement of almost every area of this very young team.

Every area except the offensive game plan, which still includes the Wildcat. Furman needs some help from other teams to earn their first conference crown since 2004. They can do a lot to help themselves by losing the Wildcat.

In their usual display of school apathy, the Furman student body cleared Paladin stadium as soon as the Homecoming winners were announced on Saturday. They could do everyone a favor by taking that momentum-killer formation out the gate with them.

Plenty of people will point to the fact that the Wildcat has had some success this season for Furman. They scored one touchdown out of the formation, and actually completed a pass from it as well. The problem is not that the Wildcat is never successful at making positive yards. The problem is that its success is mitigated by the way that it kills the rhythm of the offense under quarterback Reese Hannon.

The ever-ambiguous "eye test" says that Hannon is at his best when he is in the game and running the offense. At LSU, where the Paladins used their "supplemental" offense very sparingly, Hannon looked incredible at ease and effective against a superior opponent. In spite of some good play against Georgia Southern and Samford, Hannon seemed off when exiting and re-entering the game.

The offense was absolutely stagnant for the majority of the second half last Saturday. Hannon looked completely out of sync and uncomfortable dropping back to pass on third down after running quarterback Richard Hayes III and tailback Hank McCloud were stopped for short gains on spread option plays.

This didn't cost the team in the game, thanks to stellar efforts by the defense. But eventually, it will. If Reese Hannon is the quarterback for this team, then he needs to be the quarterback. Let him win or lose the game running the offense that is suited for him. If he's ineffective or cannot get the job done, then use the Wildcat.

It doesn't seem to be as much of a problem if the Wildcat is used selectively, perhaps even on first down rather than second down. But it makes no sense to randomly run the starting quarterback to the sidelines in the middle of a series. It also doesn't help that Hannon is the only quarterback who is any real threat to throw the football. And Furman certainly can't afford to keep Hannon on the field in some decoy role, considering that he has missed time with injuries twice this season.

Here's the thing:  Furman has produced big plays on both sides of the ball in wins over Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Samford. They've also needed sustained drives at times in all of those games, and Reese Hannon is the man that produced those against all of those teams and against LSU. That's the long-term formula for winning offense and keeping a vastly improved defense rested.

If they plan to beat a much-improved Western Carolina team and the energy-draining, clock-consuming triple option of Wofford, they're going to do it with solid play from the starting quarterback. It's time to cut the cord for Reese Hannon, and let him be the quarterback/leader for the Paladin offense.

The Wildcat is a spare offense and should be used like a spare tire:  Only in the most critical and necessary situations. If Furman wants to make the most of their late season surge, they'll get it out of Paladin Stadium faster than the students.

Random Thoughts on FCS vs. FBS and a First Half to Remember

It's been tough to keep pace in the blogosphere lately, but a fantastic trip to Baton Rouge last weekend has driven me back into the game. (Again, if there is anyone who can get me out of this full-time job thing, I'll happily write more often).

In the first week of the season, seven FCS (Football Championship Subdivision, aka I-AA) teams beat FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision, aka I-A) schools on the football field. We'll forget for the time being that one of the defeated FBS schools was South Alabama. There was great outcry that FCS was catching up. Gaining ground. Creating a more even playing field.

A few weeks later, Louisville defeated Florida International (an FBS school) 72-0. Miami defeated Savannah State 77-7. Ohio State defeated Florida A&M 76-0. There was great outcry that FCS (or perhaps schools that really should be FCS) have no business playing against FBS schools. Bad games. No competition. Someone is going to get hurt.

In spite of this ESPN-driven schizophrenia, both are ridiculous arguments and both are dead wrong. The occasional upset doesn't mean the playing field is getting more level; but it also doesn't mean the games should be stopped.

While Appalachian State is the best-known of the giant killers, Furman and The Citadel kind of started the trend of making the "big boys" earn their money on their de facto bye week. For 30 minutes of playing time in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Furman threatened to do it again.

LSU wasn't exactly in a panic at halftime of their game against Furman. But a 20-16 lead (which should have been 20-all) drew at least a bead of sweat on the Mad Hatter's head. The massive advantage in size, speed, athleticism and depth swamped the Paladins in the second half. Still, when it was all said and done, Les Miles and Company new they had been in a football game.

That's the beauty of the FCS-FBS matchup. Furman got what it needed:  A lot of confidence, a chance to test itself against the best in the nation, and a huge paycheck. They put in a pretty good day's work, even for half a million dollars.

LSU got the same:  A "warm-up" game before the pre-Alabama bye week, a homecoming win, and a reminder that they still have a lot of work to do. Miles probably welcomed the chance to say to his locker room, "Do you think that effort will get it done against Alabama?"

For as much criticism as big schools take for scheduling these games, I have no problem with the matchups. Fans from small schools get to enjoy a big game atmosphere. It's a great opportunity for the little guys to play on a big stage and test themselves against Goliath. And occasionally, we get to see David win. What's so bad about that?

Some other thoughts from Saturday's LSU-Furman game:

-LSU was a terrific game day experience, with a beautiful and well-organized tailgating area, plenty of great food, and a live tiger. How can you beat that? The fans were certainly more gracious than they might have been towards an SEC opponent.

-It was eerily quiet in Tiger Stadium for the first 40 minutes of playing time.

-I've watched the Paladins play against FBS teams, even from the sidelines. It was stunning how physically superior LSU appeared; and even more stunning that Furman stood toe-to-toe with them in the first half.

-Furman's offensive line was eventually overwhelmed, but they did not back down an inch from a feisty and frustrated Tiger front seven.

-Of all their players, Furman's Dakota Dozier looked like the one who should have been on the opposite sideline. He absolutely man-handled several LSU defenders, particularly against the run. Dozier will most likely translate to a guard in the NFL, and LSU announcer Kevin Mawae could not say enough good things about his effort. Mel Kiper Agrees.

-Furman's game plan on offense was excellent, controlling the clock and mixing runs with short passes to neutralize LSU's speed and pass rush. But without any ability to go down the field, the game plan fizzled as the game wore on.

-One horrendous aspect of that game plan was the Wild Cat offense. The Paladins need to put those plays in the shredder. They are going to win or lose with Reese Hannon or Duncan Fletcher, and gimmicks do little other than break up their rhythm.

-Furman's defense is still young, thin and struggling. But eight turnovers and two scores in the last two weeks certainly is a sign of improvement, and one that will need to continue this Saturday at Georgia Southern.

-This game could be a springboard to a strong finish. Furman has been wildly inconsistent this season--not just from game to game, but literally from quarter to quarter. If they can put together 60 minutes that will rival the 30 minutes against LSU, they have a chance to make some strides.

-Better play-calling and halftime adjustments, particularly on offense, will be critical to helping that happen.

Gamecock Fans Getting the Truth from Frank Martin

I hope that basketball fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks--all 12 of them--are not offended by the truth. Because they're going to get it as long as Frank Martin is the head coach. He had plenty of truth following a Valentine's Day loss to LSU. Seriously, you have to check out the audio to get the full impact.

The most noteworthy sentence started with, "If we didn't have Bruce Ellington..." This was followed with some muddled comparison between the rest of the team and The Walking Dead. It was harsh, bordering on cruel, and there is no telling how the team or the fans might respond.

This is a common facial expression around South Carolina basketball.

They may not like it, but they'd better learn to live with it. Because it's the truth.

I sat at the media table at Timmons Arena on December 22, 2010. I watched a good Furman basketball team (a distant dream right now) obliterate the Gamecocks by 16 points. If Ellington had not been on the floor that night, the margin would have been 36.

Easily.

Some Carolina fans are already questioning the hiring of Martin. I've heard that he's too harsh, too demanding, too "in your face." I've heard that he can't get this team winning even though the team does have talent.

They have the same talent they did in 2010. Bruce Ellington.

Fans are naturally impatient, but it's baffling that some already want to dismiss Martin as a failure. Much like his counterpart up the road in Pickens County, Martin doesn't have the players right now. And he hasn't had nearly enough time to get them.

The players and the fans may not like Martin's style, and it's easy to see how he could quickly wear "thin" on postmodern athletes. But one thing that he has going for him is a willingness to speak the truth.

I believe that South Carolina can have a reasonably successful basketball program, particularly in a top-heavy SEC. Really, outside of Lexington (and perhaps Gainesville), does SEC hoops move the meter at all? If Carolina cares enough, they can make some noise.

But the only way that's going to happen is if the Gamecocks and their fans confront the brutal facts. And the brutal fact is that Ellington is still a one-man show. Until that changes, no coach is going to be able to take the program to a new level.

I don't know if Frank Martin is the guy to do it. Don't know if his old school style will work long term with new school athletes. The one clear thing is that Martin is speaking the truth to a University and fan base that need to hear it.

That alone should earn him the time to turn things around, even if the way he speaks it in an offensive manner. Even if he's not the guy to do it, Frank Martin's honesty will be a contributing factor if Gamecock basketball ever finds success.

Is SEC Worse; Or Is Everyone Else Just Better?

Gleeful sports pundits and haters are slobbering all over themselves this bowl season because the SEC is a "mediocre" 3-3 so far. I think Walt Deptula from 104.9 The Drive is having to take sleeping pills just to counter his euphoria over being "right" about the SEC.

Like many of us, they're just tired of it. This is part of the problem when major sports networks cut deals with teams or conferences. ESPN has become the de facto cheerleaders for Alabama and its brethren. Not that I blame them, since the Southeastern Conference is the major cash cow of choice.

But a lot of people are tired of it, particularly every other fan base from every other conference in America. They're tired of the "SEC" chants, tired of the arrogance, tired of the excessive rabidity and superiority that oozes from all things SEC.

Any fan from Florida to the Delta to the Bluegrass has every reason to feel this way (even if Kentucky waits until basketball season to show it). Even the folks in College Station, Texas have some braggin' rights, with "Johnny Football" carrying his Heisman Trophy all the way home from New York, via Tuscaloosa.

The Southeastern Conference is unquestionably the dominant one of the last decade. They just care more about football than everyone else, and it shows. And it makes those of us who cheer for football teams outside of the Bizzaro World sick to keep hearing about it.

So SEC lovers, please pardon the pundits and Clemson/Northwestern/Louisville fans if they gloat back at you a little. They're enjoying the role in proving that you're just not as good as you thought you were.

Or are you?

Well, not exactly. The SEC isn't as good as it has been in years past. But the issue is more the elevation of other teams than the decline of the SEC. And it's not talent level or coaching that has caught the conference slippin' this bowl season.

Take a look at Louisville. Head Coach Charlie Strong is an SEC "lifer" as a coordinator. He recruits their territory. He speaks the language and knows what it takes to build a program on the level of his former conference. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Louisville is a big school that is investing major money in the athletic program.

Take a look at Clemson. It's a smaller school but it has an SEC-level fan base, at least when it comes to football. Dabo Swinney is an Alabama guy who is at least as smart as Les Miles, which is not much of an accomplishment. Miles has won a National Title by becoming the "Mad Hatter" and recruiting great players.

Dabo Swinney is the best cheerleader on the Clemson sideline. But he's smart enough to know who he is. He recruits as well--or better--than anyone in the SEC. And he's persuaded the athletic department to invest in two coordinators to do the coaching. If it works for LSU, then why not for Clemson?

Watching the conference's wins by Georgia and South Carolina revealed that many other schools are recruiting offensive speed to counter all that defensive speed. Jadeveon Clowney's hit aside, the Michigan Wolverines were up to the task on offense. Nebraska couldn't stop a Southern Conference school, much less an SEC school. But they had the velocity to put up serious offensive numbers against Georgia.

The one place where other schools are clearly superior is at quarterback. You go to the SEC if your a running back, offensive lineman or defensive player. You go anywhere but the SEC to play QB. Teddy Bridgewater and Tajh Boyd are the best quarterbacks that this year's SEC never had.

But the greatest equalizer for the field vs. the SEC is arrogance. Florida and LSU thought they were going to just roll out their helmets and win their bowl games because they believed their opponents were inferior. They weren't. At some point, the players, fans, and coaches better recognize that college athletics do not stand still. They need to find a way to keep elevating their game instead of just sitting comfortably on top of the mountain, because every other team in America is trying to climb up to knock them off.

This is not a knock against Clemson or Louisville. It's a knock against the SEC. Mental and emotional preparation can be just as important as game film. Swinney and Strong had their teams masterfully prepared in every facet of the game. Miles and Will Muschamp failed at it. Miserably.

If you want to claim to be a dominant team or conference, then you better be ready to back it up against any opponent, in any setting. This bowl season, the SEC has proven that its own attitude is an obstacle to continuing dominance.

Arrogance has ruined many a person, organization, or team. SEC schools had better stop reading their press clippings and watching SportsCenter, or it could ruin their era of superiority.

Things that Clemson/Carolina Fans Should Not Be Saying

Apparently, the morning after doesn't bring any more sanity. Especially for Clemson and Carolina fans.

Even on January 2, Tigers and Gamecocks have a hard time getting along and can't bring themselves to give one another any credit. It is stunning that fans from both teams are still saying things that should never be said.

Everyone just stop for a second and think before you speak. I know, that's tough for Clemson and Carolina fans, but give it a try. And think for a few minutes about why the following things--which have been said--should never be said.


1. ESPN just hates Clemson, because all they can talk about is Clowney!
We live in a whatever-just-happened sports culture. Clowney is the last best thing, and it happened after Clemson beat LSU. That's why ESPN is talking about Jadeveon Clowney instead of Tajh Boyd. Oh, and the fact that Clowney may have offered the play of the year (and one for all-time) on the first day of 2013. And no, that's not an exaggeration.

2. Well, LSU just didn't care about the Chic-Fil-A Bowl! That's why Clemson won!
You're right, LSU didn't care nearly as much about that bowl game as Clemson did. And that's the SEC's problem. Their excessive arrogance is a huge weakness in the postseason, and Clemson exploited it to perfection.

Let's give credit where it is clearly due:  Clemson dominated almost every facet of the game against LSU. If they did it because the other Tigers thought they were too good to be there, then shame on them.

3. Clemson beat LSU and LSU beat Carolina, and that proves Clemson is really better than Carolina!
Oh please. You took a beating by Carolina for the four straight seasons. Play the way you did against LSU and maybe that streak will end. Otherwise, let it go.

4. Clemson couldn't do it against the SEC every week!
Nope, probably not. But Carolina can't do it against the SEC every week either. That little three-game stretch in late September/early October proved it. Keep in mind that no one went unscathed in the SEC this year.

Clemson has recruited SEC-level talent and they have SEC-level coordinators. They wouldn't be SEC champs, but they're certainly more SEC than ACC in football.

5. The SEC is overrated, and Clemson proved it!
To some degree, this is true. But it still shouldn't be said, and here's why:

The SEC isn't as good as everybody thinks it is; but the ACC is clearly as bad as everyone thinks it is. Clemson's win or not, the ACC is an awful football conference and has no reason to knock any other conference. And no, Louisville and Notre Dame do not count (yet).


So let's all do what rivals typically refuse to do. Take a step back and give credit where credit is due. And it is due in both Columbia and Pickens County.

While we're at it, we can enjoy being the only state with two 11-win teams who should both be in the top 10 in the final poll this season.