Happy Thanksgiving!

I'll resume regular posting next week. In the meantime, enjoy this essay by Andrew Sullivan on the meaning of Thanksgiving. Have a great holiday!

(UPDATED at 1:06 p.m.)

Bowden contract negotiations continue

Clemson is still working out the details of a contract extension for coach Tommy Bowden. (More here and here.) I hope they can sew this thing up quickly. It's time to move on and get ready for the Peach Bowl.

CONFIDENCE GAME: Clemson's players view the Peach Bowl as a chance to build for the future.

STRONG WORDS: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tony Barnhart takes Clemson fans to the woodshed for clamoring to fire Tommy Bowden. He makes some good points about the unreasonable expectations of a lot of the fan base, but he loses it by suggesting that a lot of Tiger fans are OK with cheating. All in all, though, I agree with his sentiments. And here, Barnhart says an Ole Miss-Clemson game would be interesting.

D'ANDREA STAYING PUT: Clemson associate athletic director Bill D'Andrea won't be pursuing the athletic director's job at East Carolina.

STEP INTO THE DEN: Jim Brown has updated his Tiger Den Web site with his personal take on the Clemson-South Carolina game. Check it out.

YEAR IN REVIEW: College Football News, which is not always a reliable source of information, nonetheless has a nice game-by-game rundown of Clemson's season. Give it a look.

STATS WATCH: We're still No. 2 in kickoff returns. We're also 17th in passing offense and 20th in pass defense. Charlie Whitehurst is 14th in the country in total offense.

(UPDATED at 4:31 p.m.)

I go away for a few days, and the whole world changes

Wow! I thought we'd beat the Gamecocks, but I didn't know we'd destroy them. Coach Tommy Bowden is now a fan favorite, and he's currently in the process of negotiating a contract extension with athletic director Terry Don Phillips. (More here.) And, we are going to the Peach Bowl.

I'm very happy. We are set to have a great season next year. We've got 57 lettermen returning, the most in school history. Eighteen of those lettermen are starters, which, if it's not the most in school history, has got to be close. (And again, I think we can thank Bowden for that. He's been redshirting players since 1999.)

On a personal note, the trip to Dallas was great. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost, but we had a good time. All the Dallas fans we encountered were very friendly, and let me just say this: I love Shiner Bock (I'd never drank it before).

Texas Stadium is a bit schizophrenic. The concession areas are really crappy, reminiscent of the dying days of old Fulton County Stadium. But the seated area is really nice. There are literally no bad seats anywhere, and the semi-dome cut down a very cold wind that was blowing outside. The old stadium may not be around for long, though. The Cowboys want to move to a new state-of-the-art stadium in a few years.

We also took in a Dallas Mavericks game at the new American Airlines Center. What a space!

ALL-ACC PICKS: Here's one I'm just now catching up on. Clemson had four All-ACC performers: Leroy Hill on the first team, and Donnell Washington, Derrick Hamilton and Gregory Walker on the second team.

And quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who was an honorable mention All-ACC pick, was named the league's offensive back of the week for his outstanding performance against South Carolina.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Tigernet has posted some video from the defeathering of the Gamecocks. Check it out.

(UPDATED at 1:12 p.m.)

Bobby Bowden sticks up for son; paper says Tommy's staying

Florida State's coach says that Clemson is hurting recruiting by dragging their feet about Tommy Bowden's future. (More here.) And this story reminds us that Bowden will get a $25,000 bonus if he beats USC Saturday. It also features Bowden denying his lower lip was quivering during Tuesday's press conference.

Early Friday afternoon, Tigerpundit reader Jason alerted me to a story from the Jacksonville Times-Union stating that Bowden will be back for a sixth season...if he wants to come back. SID Tim Bourret and former Auburn coach Terry Bowden are quoted.

And if you love Tommy, you can let him know at this Web site.

UP AND RUNNING: The State takes a look at Clemson's big improvement in the rushing attack over the course of the season. The story includes a chart that marks the team's progress.

THE D IS DOING IT: The Anderson Independent-Mail examines Clemson's defense, which has not fallen apart in the late stages of the season.

DOMINATING DERRICK: The Greenville News has a couple of stories about receiver Derrick Hamilton. The first is a straight-ahead profile; the second examines how Hamilton was recruited.

ELLIOTT PROFILE: The AP has its version of the life story of receiver Tony Elliott. The Greenville News did their own version last month.

FACTUALLY CHALLENGED: Someone on the Tigernet message board has posted a column from Ron Green Jr. of the Charlotte Observer. It urges Clemson to retain Tommy Bowden, but it also bungles some simple facts. Plus, it's absolutely dripping with condescension, both toward Clemson and the state of South Carolina.

ALL DRESSED UP: The Greenville News looks at the Clemson-South Carolina game from the perspective of what folks will wear to the game.

WHAT A DEAL: The folks behind Bragging Rites, the documentary about the Clemson-USC football rivalry, have produced playing cards featuring the athletes who have graced the series over the past 100 years.

CU-USC MEMORIES: The official Clemson site has posted video highlights of the 1989 Clemson-South Carolina game, a 45-0 victory for the Tigers in Williams-Brice Stadium. Check it out.

SITE NEWS: I regret to inform my readers that I will be out of town this weekend, and this will probably be the Tigerpundit's last update until Tuesday. Me and three buddies are flying out to Dallas to see the Panthers play the Cowboys. It's shaping up to be a huge game, and it should be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I will be unable to blog about the South Carolina game.

Until then.......GOOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAT THE CHICKENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(UPDATED at 6:47 p.m.)

Speculation about Bowden's future runs rampant

There was a remarkable moment at Tommy Bowden's weekly press conference on Tuesday. Responding to something like the 249th question about his job future in a half-hour, Bowden reacted emotionally. (You can see a video clip of it here.) That prompted a statement of support from athletic director Terry Don Phillips.

We all know Bowden has been under pressure to win for the past two seasons, but weren't a lot of those doubts put to rest two weeks ago after he scored one of the biggest victories in school history? I hate to blame the media, because I'm not one of those people who measures column inches to compare which team gets more coverage. But I listened to the entire press conference, and the tone was unrelenting.

Please, media and fans; give the man a break. We've got a solid chance for a nine-win season with the second-youngest team in the ACC. We've got 18 starters returning next season in an expanded league that will truly be among the nation's best.

Let's see what happens.

Here's the media coverage of Tuesday's incident: The State (here, here, here and here); The Anderson Independent-Mail (here and here); The Greenville News (here); the Associated Press (here).

Meanwhile, Gregg Doyel, everyone's favorite sports columnist, urges Clemson to hang on to Bowden. He writes this while still managing to denigrate Clemson's past football accomplishments (i.e. the Tigers' success from the late 1970s through the 1980s doesn't count because Charlie Pell and Danny Ford were "cheaters.") By that standard, one could revoke any clams to greatness of a great many sports programs that have gotten into trouble with the NCAA. And here's Caulton Tudor, who I believe writes for the Raleigh News and Observer, saying essentially the same thing.

ROTATING RUNNERS: The State examines Clemson's rotating running backs.

FIRED UP: Clemson's players are ready to play the Gamecocks. Well, that's good to know.

HAT TRICK: USC's Syvelle Newton explains why a hat-switching trick he pulled when he announced which college he would attend was really a tribute to former Clemson assistant Rick Stockstill.

BANGED-UP RECEIVERS: The Tigers will lack depth at the receiver position this week. Airese Currie and Kelvin Grant are doubtful.

TIGERDEN IS BACK: After a few technical difficulties, Jim Brown of the Tiger Den is up and running again. Check out his commentary on the Wake Forest loss and the Florida State win.

CU-USC MEMORIES: I'm a little late catching up with this, but the official Clemson site is posting video highlights of great Clemson performances in USC's Williams-Brice Stadium. Here's Part I, Part II and Part III.

Where will Clemson go bowling this year?

The Gator and the Peach look like the most likely candidates, according to this and this. Either one would be fine with me.

IT'S FOR THE FANS: Clemson's players say the rivalry game with USC is more important for the fans. A bowl game is what matters most to the guys who play every week.

BEATING LOU: Clemson's players are also looking forward to another triumph over coaching legend Lou Holtz. Speaking of Holtz, he says the CU-USC rivalry, uh, rivals any other he's been involved with.

CLEMSON VS. USC -- THE CAMPUSES: The State takes a look at what each campus has to offer in the way of scenic amenities. I think Clemson wins this one hands down.

(UPDATED at 1:03 p.m.)

We could keep the Gamecocks out of a bowl with win

Well, it's Chicken Kickin' Week, and for the second year in a row, a Clemson victory over South Carolina would keep the Gamecocks out of a bowl game.

Sweet.

In a similar vein, the Greenville News examines the importance of the game to both programs.

SHOW HIM THE MONEY: If Clemson wins Saturday against South Carolina, coach Tommy Bowden will get a $25,000 bonus for reaching the eight-win plateau.

COMPARE & CONTRAST: Clemson-South Carolina is similar to Auburn-Alabama, says Bowden.

COACH TALK: This AP story says the focus of this year's game is the coaches.

CU-USC NOTES: The voluminous pregame notes for the Clemson-South Carolina game have been released.

STATS WATCH: We're still No. 2 in kickoff returns. We're also 18th in passing offense. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is 14th in total offense.

(UPDATED at 2:04 p.m.)

Clemson 40, Duke 7: We're no worse than third in the ACC

Clemson's big win assures that the Tigers will finish no worse than third in the league. That's a little better than most preseason predictions for this team, and it means we're still in contention for the Gator or Peach bowls.

On to the coverage of Saturday's game.

GAME STORIES: "Seniors inspire Tigers," says The State; "Tigers maul Duke, 40-7," says the Greenville News; "Clemson gets big win over Blue Devils," says the Anderson Independent-Mail.

THE STATS: Here's a complete statistical summary of the game.

OTHER STORIES: The Anderson Independent-Mail explains how the bowl picture is shaping up for Clemson. Short version: We need Maryland to lose at least once more in its final two games, which are against N.C. State and Wake Forest. (Virginia beating Georgia Tech would also help a little bit.)

Regarding the bowl scenario, a dedicated Tigernet poster has worked out all the scenarios for Clemson. Here goes:

Right now, this is what the race looks like:

1 Loss: FSU Done
2 Losses: MD vs. NC State, Wake
3 Losses: NC State vs. MD
3 Losses: GT vs. UVA
3 Losses: Clemson Done

With the remaining ACC games left of interest to Clemson, there are 8 possible scenarios. Some seem improbable, but they are all possible. Here they are...

SCENARIO 1: Clemson finishes tied with MD for 2nd
MD beats NC State
UVA beats GT
Wake beats MD

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: MD
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 2: Clemson finishes tied with NC State for 2nd
NC State beats MD
UVA beats GT
Wake beats MD

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: NC State
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 3: Clemson finishes tied with MD and NC State for 2nd
NC State beats MD
UVA beats GT
MD beats Wake

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: MD
3 Losses: NC State
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 4: Clemson finishes tied with MD and GT for 2nd
MD beats NC State
GT beats UVA
Wake beats MD

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: MD
3 Losses: GT
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 5: Clemson finishes tied with NC State and GT for 2nd
NC State beats MD
GT beats UVA
Wake beats MD

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: NC State
3 Losses: GT
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 6: Clemson finishes tied with MD, NC State, and GT for 2nd
NC State beats MD
GT beats UVA
MD beats Wake

1 Loss: FSU
3 Losses: MD
3 Losses: NC State
3 Losses: GT
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 7: Clemson finishes 3rd
MD beats NC State
UVA beats GT
MD beats Wake

1 Loss: FSU
2 Losses: MD
3 Losses: Clemson

SCENARIO 8: Clemson tied with GT for 3rd
MD beats NC State
GT beats UVA
MD beats Wake

1 Loss: FSU
2 Losses: MD
3 Losses: GT
3 Losses: Clemson

The Greenville News celebrates Clemson's great defensive effort against Duke. (There's also a notebook here.)

The State also praises Clemson's defensive effort, and offers up its usual post-game package; grading the keys to victory, the quarter-by-quarter highlights, a notebook, and the high five thingee.

The SID's office released some post-game notes after the win against Duke.

Finally, the Anderson Independent-Mail chronicles the fan reaction to Saturday's victory.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: It was tough, but Florida State held off N.C. State in overtime to claim the ACC title, the Seminoles' 11th league championship in 12 years. (Fanblogs has more.) Georgia Tech defeated North Carolina, and Connecticut whipped Wake Forest.

(UPDATED at 5:41 p.m.)

Tigers pummel Duke, 40-7

That was a big win for Clemson. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had a great day, as did receiver Derrick Hamilton, and the defense shut down Duke's powerful rushing attack.

And how about those purple jerseys with orange pants?

Next up: The Chickens, who put a real scare into Florida before losing.

I'll post more tomorrow. I'm going to enjoy tonight's win with the obligatory Bass Ale or three.

Go Tigers!!

*****************************************************************

We've gotta win today against Duke

I know, I know. We've gotta win ALL of our games. But our bowl hopes hinge on defeating Duke.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. There is no television. Go Tigers!

GAME PREVIEWS: The Greenville News looks back at last year's Clemson-Duke game, as does quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. (There's also a game capsule.) The Anderson Independent-Mail wonders which Clemson team will show up today. The Durham Herald-Sun examines the long-term relationship between Tommy Bowden and Blue Devil interim coach Ted Roof.

The State has its usual pregame package, including the keys to victory, the top matchups, a look at how Clemson will stop Duke tailback Chris Douglas, and a Q&A with defensive tackle DeJuan Polk.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Here's a capsule look at today's other ACC games, and here's a preview story.