Tag: ESPN College GameDay

Herbstreit pinpoints ‘most concerning thing’ about Clemson’s loss to UGA

In Kirk Herbstreit’s mind, what was the most concerning aspect for Clemson in its 10-3 loss to Georgia last Saturday? ESPN’s lead college football analyst doesn’t believe it’s the offensive line, despite the fact the Tigers allowed seven sacks and …

In Kirk Herbstreit’s mind, what was the most concerning aspect for Clemson in its 10-3 loss to Georgia last Saturday?

ESPN’s lead college football analyst doesn’t believe it’s the offensive line, despite the fact the Tigers allowed seven sacks and rushed for just 2 yards against the Bulldogs.

Instead, Herbstreit believes it’s the fact that quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was barely involved in the running game.

“The most concerning thing was the quarterback not willing to run the football,” Herbstreit said Saturday morning on ESPN’s College GameDay. “That’s what you want to see in that Clemson offense when they get into bigger games. D.J.’s got to have a willingness when it’s there – especially when teams are playing Man Under on third down – there’s a lot of running lanes.”

Added Herbstreit on Clemson’s O-line play against UGA: “That was not a strength of theirs a year ago, and now they’re breaking in a few new starters. And to me, guys, it looks like everybody they play, they’re going to be more physical than. You look at their schedule, they’re going to be able to get their mojo back.”

The Tigers return to action at 5 p.m. today when they host South Carolina State at Death Valley. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Big 12 Football: Week 2 predictions for each team

How will the Big 12 fare in week two?

The Big 12 as a whole had a solid start to the 2021 college football season, with only one team losing in Week 1.

Believe it or not, Kansas was not the culprit responsible for the conference’s lone loss as they not only picked up their first win in two years, but they stormed the field in exciting fashion.

The lone loss was to an unranked Maryland team, and no it was not Texas. West Virginia, otherwise known as the “Certified Loser Boys” according to Maryland’s Twitter, lost by just six points in a very back and forth game that saw the Mountaineers leading at halftime.

Only four schools in the Big 12 did not have games decided by single digits. Texas blew out No. 23 Louisiana by 20 points, Kansas State chopped down the tree against Stanford beating them by 17, Texas Tech defeated Houston by 17 points, and TCU throttled a school that majority of America does not know how to pronounce anyway, when they beat Duquesne by 42.

The rest of the conference were in some nail-biters, but we will just have to give them the benefit of the doubt and say it was first game jitters, not the fact their Heisman candidates underperformed horrendously.

A few teams are hoping to redeem themselves and have a much better showing in Week 2. I’ll do my best to predict how each Big 12 matchup could end this week.

Herbstreit: Bulldogs better be ready for ‘angry’ Clemson defense

The last time Clemson’s defense took the field, the Tigers allowed 49 points and 639 total yards in their 49-28 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2021. That performance has been on the …

The last time Clemson’s defense took the field, the Tigers allowed 49 points and 639 total yards in their 49-28 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2021.

That performance has been on the collective mind of Brent Venables’ unit since that night, and ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes it’s why Clemson’s defense is more hungry than just about anybody to get back on the field at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night when the third-ranked Tigers battle the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in Charlotte.

“Clemson has spent eighth months getting this better — communication, tackling,” Herbstreit said during ESPN’s College GameDay show Saturday morning. “There may not be, other than LSU, a team that’s chomping at the bit more to get back out on the field after a performance from 2020 than this Clemson defense.”

Herbstreit believes Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken will try to take a page out of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s playbook when it comes to how to attack Venables’ defense.

“What I’m looking at is it’s not just about Justin Fields and Trey Sermon and they’re very talented — it was the way Ryan Day did it,” Herbstreit said. “Now you’ve had all these other offensive coordinators have had a chance to try to study it and try to figure out. It’s changing formations, it’s not allowing them to get set, creating confusion with your tempo, going fast, going slow …

“Brent Venables, one of the best defensive lines in the game. A long history in his 11 years of being at Clemson, having dominating defenses. This is an outlier. The reason we bring it up is this is the last time we saw it, and you’ve got to think Todd Monken, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, he’s going to be looking at this trying to see how can we try to exploit this defense the same way?”

With the CFP semifinal showing against Ohio State in mind, Herbstreit expects Clemson’s defense to play like a mad unit when they go up against Georgia on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.

“Nine new starters on that defense a year ago,” Herbstreit said. “Everybody’s back this year. Off of that performance, the experience that they have, I think you’re going to see an angry defense take the field, a more experienced defense take the field. Georgia better be ready, because I think that will not be on display tonight for Clemson’s defense.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Swinney joins the ESPN College GameDay set: ‘This is big boy football’

This is big boy football. Dabo Swinney joined the set of ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of Clemson’s marquee matchup against Georgia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (NC.) at 7:30 p.m. Swinney talked about D.J. Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross, but …

This is big boy football.

Dabo Swinney joined the set of ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of Clemson’s marquee matchup against Georgia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (NC.) at 7:30 p.m.

Swinney talked about D.J. Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross, but first, he touched on the great crowd that surrounded the set in Charlotte’s Romare Bearden Park.

“This is what we missed was the roar of the crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s what we missed. We’re thankful we got to play last year, but man, there’s nothing like the roar of the crowd of college football…This is what it’s all about.”

Kirk Herbstreit asked Swinney about the Tigers’ rich history under center and what he wants to see out of Uiagalelei. Clemson was able to replace Tajh Boyd with Deshaun Watson, and then shortly after came Trevor Lawrence and so on and so forth. Now, it’s Uiagalelei time.

“I just want to see what I’ve seen on the practice field and see him play with great confidence,” Swinney said of Clemson’s starting quarterback. “He’s unbelievable. He’s put the work in, as well as the preparation. And just executing within the system, don’t try to do too much. It’s one of those games where you may try to do too much from time to time, especially as a young player. Trust the players around him and then respond.

“It’s been a long time since we played football and this is big boy football. This is heavyweight. There’s gonna be some adversity. So, respond in a positive way and respond to success too. I think both of those things are very important for a young guy getting going.”

Talking about responding to adversity, Desmond Howard made sure to bring up Ross’s name. 

He’ll be back in the fold for the Clemson Tigers after missing all of the 2020 season due to a congenital spinal issue that required surgery in June of 2020. Ross was cleared to play full contact football by his doctors this past June and was given the green light by Clemson University just prior to the start of fall camp.

“That’s asking if I can reincarnate C.J. Spiller today and put him back in the backfield,” Swinney said in response to Howard’s question regarding Ross. “He’s just a special football player. He just makes everything better. He’s just a matchup problem. He’s incredibly competitive. He’s special as a player. So, that’s what he brings to the game, but then it’s who he is as a person. It’s what he brings to the locker room. It’s that edge he brings from a personality standpoint. And then it’s what he’s been through. It’s toughness. It’s the living, breathing example of perseverance. What it looks like. You want to know what it looks like? Look at that guy.”

Swinney reiterated that Ross brings so much more to the table than being a very good football player. His joyfulness and competitive edge are infectious. He’s certainly a leader in that locker room and someone younger players look upon.

Speaking of the reincarnation of Spiller, Rece Davis mentioned Will Shipley as a possible candidate. Swinney couldn’t help but crack a smile.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

ESPN College GameDay analysts make their picks for Clemson vs. UGA

ESPN’s College GameDay crew has made their picks for Saturday’s primetime showdown between third-ranked Clemson and No. 5 Georgia at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kirk Herbstreit did not make a …

ESPN’s College GameDay crew has made their picks for Saturday’s primetime showdown between third-ranked Clemson and No. 5 Georgia at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Kirk Herbstreit did not make a prediction for this game, as he will be calling the game on ABC with Chris Fowler and reporter Holly Rowe.

Desmond Howard picked Clemson, while David Pollack and Lee Corso went with Georgia. Corso faked like he was going to pick the Tigers at first.

Pollack: “Because of that physicality, I think they (Georgia) get it done.”

Howard: “This is a heavyweight matchup. This is like what we’ve all been waiting for. You look at Georgia’s defense, the front four, stout. But going up against this Clemson offense, you saw Coach (Dabo Swinney) talk about Justyn Ross, what he brings to this unit. I gotta go with the Clemson Tigers.”

Corso: “You can see my pick is easy — Clemson … Not so fast, my friends! Year of the Dawg.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

ESPN’s College Gameday crew makes their picks for 2021 CFP national championship

Who did the ESPN College Gameday crew pick to win this year’s national title?

Alabama enters the 2021 college football season as the defending national champion and the top ranked team in the nation. As they begin their season against the Miami Hurricanes, they look to repeat as the county’s best and bring home national title No. 19.

ESPN’s College Gameday crew made their picks for the 2021 College Football Playoff national championship, and while the Crimson Tide made appearances in three of the four predictions, not a single analyst chose Alabama to win it all.

The two teams they were split on were Oklahoma and Georgia.

There’s plenty of time left before the College Football Playoff landscape begins to take shape, but every game matters starting with the first one.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to share updates regarding the Crimson Tide’s 2021 football season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

Uiagalelei prides himself on being ‘unpredictable’

As a part of a feature story that was previously recorded on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, Clemson fans and College Football fans around the country alike got to know D.J. Uiagalelei a bit better. ESPN’s Jen Lada interviewed Uiagalelei, spoke …

As a part of a feature story that was previously recorded on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, Clemson fans and College Football fans around the country alike got to know D.J. Uiagalelei a bit better.

ESPN’s Jen Lada interviewed Uiagalelei, spoke with his mother at length and also sat down with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

“He’s got attributes of all the great ones I’ve been around,” Swinney said. “Love of the game. Love of preparation. Football I.Q. Character. Leadership. But, I’ve never had one 6-5, 250.”

That’s what makes him special, but also different.

As Lada states, Uiagalelei prides himself on being “unpredictable.”

Hailing from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower (Calif.), Uiagalelei opted to commit to a program in Clemson that’s over 2,000 miles away from home.

“I like to be different,” Uiagalelei said. “I like to be unique. When everyone’s going right, I’ll probably go left.”

Saturday’s marquee matchup against Georgia will not be Uiagalelei’s first career start. Though, Swinney claimed that he could’ve been the starting quarterback for at least 126 programs around the country.

Instead, he chose to sit behind Trevor Lawrence and learn. Uiagalelei got to see some unexpected playing time last season and made the most of his opportunity when Lawrence wound up being sidelined for two games after a bout with COVID-19.

“He really wanted to work with Trevor for a year and that just shows you why and how he thinks,” Swinney said.

In two starts against Notre Dame and Boston College, Uiagalelei completed 77 of 117 passes (66.7%) with 914 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions.

What would it mean for Uiagalelei to have his name become a household one?

“That would be a cool accomplishment to have,” he said. “For people to know your last name like ‘Dang, that’s D.J. with the cool last name: Uiagalelei.’ It would be amazing.”

He’ll have that chance under the bright lights on Saturday night against Georgia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (NC.) at 7:30 p.m.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

What Smart said about Clemson-UGA game, Venables on College GameDay

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart joined ESPN’s College GameDay set for an interview Saturday morning ahead of the fifth-ranked Bulldogs’ game against No. 3 Clemson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Charlotte. Smart was asked about the stakes of this top-five …

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart joined ESPN’s College GameDay set for an interview Saturday morning ahead of the fifth-ranked Bulldogs’ game against No. 3 Clemson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Charlotte.

Smart was asked about the stakes of this top-five matchup in the season opener.

“It’s a top-five matchup, the stakes are high,” Smart said. “Stakes are always high in college football. We’ve talked about it before. So much goes into each game. It’s different than the NFL because games mean so much more because there’s fewer. But for us, it’s also not a conference game. It’s a great chance to represent our conference against a powerhouse program that’s been one of the top programs in the country. We’re excited for the opportunity.”

Smart also commented on what jumps out to him about Brent Venables’ defense that makes the unit so successful.

“Their aggression,” Smart said. “They’re very aggressive. They attack, attack, attack, and they come after you and they don’t give you much opportunity to breathe. They’ve got kids that fit their system, so their system’s built to be really quick, athletic, fast, come after you, and they play teams so well because of the way he’s so aggressive.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

‘College GameDay’ releases hype video ahead of UGA vs. Clemson

‘College GameDay’ releases hype video ahead of Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers game

ESPN’s “College GameDay” has release a hype video ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 3 Clemson Tigers. Despite their historic rivalry, the Bulldogs and Tigers are playing at a neutral site for the first time in more than 100 years.

The game will be played in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to the game, GameDay will be held in downtown Charlotte at Romare Bearden Park.

GameDay released a hype video ahead of the game that will get Georgia, Clemson, and college football fans fired up:

The 65th edition of Georgia-Clemson is expected to be the top nonconference game of the 2021 college football season. The Bulldogs and Tigers are both ranked in the top five and are considered championship contenders.

Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley had a huge day the last time Georgia played Clemson in 2014. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson needs a marquee win with the way their schedule is laid out. Georgia can’t afford to lose either. The Bulldogs would have a razor-thin margin of error if they fall to the Tigers.

[vertical-gallery id=46399]

[listicle id=45493]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Members of ESPN College Gameday Crew pick Sooners to win National Championship

On the first Saturday of college football, the ESPN College Gameday Crew picked their national champions. Two of the four picked the Sooners

With six days to go until the Oklahoma Sooners kickoff against the Tulane Green Wave (hopefully), the expectations and anticipation have reached a boiling point. Soon, it will be time to play football. But until then, we’ll get more predictions from local and national observers.

ESPN’s College Gameday made their national title predictions on the first college football Saturday show yesterday. Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard chose the Sooners to hoist the national championship come January.

Every member of the crew had the Sooners in their prediction of the College Football Playoff, but just Herbstreit and Howard had the Sooners winning it all. Lee Corso had the Sooners making the championship game before losing to the Georgia Bulldogs, who were the only other team picked to win the title on the panel.

Oklahoma is as talented as they’ve been under Lincoln Riley, and because of that, the expectations are sky-high. Alex Grinch has helped that defense progress each of his two seasons in Norman, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t take another step forward in 2021.

As the six-time defending Big 12 champion and favorites again in 2021, the question that continues to linger for the Sooners is what they’ll do when they get to the College Football Playoff.

Against Clemson, they were able to keep the game close before Deshaun Watson, and the Tigers pulled away in the second half. They had the game well in hand against Georgia before a second-half comeback allowed the Bulldogs to tie the game and win it in overtime. Though the score wasn’t as bad as the game looked, Alabama jumped out to a big lead against the Kyler Murray-led Sooners, who attempted to mount a ferocious second-half comeback, but couldn’t quite close the gap. And against Joe Burrow’s LSU, the Sooners ran into arguably the greatest offensive team college football’s ever seen.

Can the Sooners exorcise the demons in 2021, push through the semi-finals, and contend for the national championship? Two of ESPN’s experts seem to think so.

As the Sooners enter Tulane week, as Lincoln Riley would say, “talking season is over.” It’s time to go put it on the field.

[listicle id=35905]