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Clemson Football: Did Tommy Bowden Take a Jab?

By Ben Greeson

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Clemson Tigers helmet hanging in the locker room following the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Clemson Tigers helmet hanging in the locker room following the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Did former Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden take a subtle jab at the Tigers in his latest comments? What do you think, Clemson fans?

When I read some comments from former Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden my knee jerk reaction was to get defensive.

How dare he speak of anything but rainbows and sunshine when the opportunity presents itself to talk about Clemson? Bowden, now an analyst with Fox Sports South was recently asked to compare the state of the SEC versus the ACC. He was quoted.

"“The reason that some in the media have not given the ACC the respect they deserve is because of the overall strength of the conference,” Bowden said. “This lack of respect mostly comes from the fact that the rest of the ACC has not been successful versus Power 5 non-conference opponents.”“Clemson and Georgia Tech have combined for three wins in 7 years versus their natural Power 5 rivals South Carolina and Georgia,” Bowden said. Florida State is 5-2 versus their rival Florida in the last seven years,” Bowden said. But success in the first two weeks versus some strong Power 5 conference teams could re-establish some much-needed credibility with the national media.”"

While I understand what he’s saying, and the numbers he chose to use during the time frame he chose to point out, is correct.

Can he not see the miles and miles of separation between Clemson and their natural power 5 conference foe? How can Clemson even be put in this thought. LSU, Auburn, Georgia, heck Clemson has beaten everyone they’ve played in the SEC, except Bama. No one has beaten Bama on a consistent basis in the last 10 years.

Outside of the SEC it’s the same tune being played by the same fiddler. Clemson has beaten Oklahoma (twice), Ohio State, Notre Dame, as well as 37 consecutive unranked opponents. The latter, is most impressive considering the how previous staff faired against the those foes.

I do understand that the ACC as a whole hasn’t performed well versus everyone else. Unlike a conference flag waiver, I could care less, honestly. I don’t care how bad NC State loses on any given Saturday.

Wake Forest’s season ending record will bring absolutely zero joy or disgust to my life whatsoever. Clemson is the only school that I choose to hitch my wagon to. I only care about the Tigers and their success.

So now I ask the question. Why? Why did Bowden comment on Clemson football in a way that some see as a subtle jab? Is it jealousy? Was he never really a “Clemson Man”? I can guarantee his bank account is proud to be called a “Clemson Man”.

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I’ll admit it, I was the biggest Bowden apologist on earth while he was at the helm. I was scared of rescinding back into a dark hole of “less than mediocre”. I was so scared of another Tommy West era that I was ok with 8-5, and the occasional 9-3, even if that meant that I’d have to deal with a 7-6 season here and there.

But he beats Carolina. That was the apologetic tone, the rationale that most of us Bowden supporters used year in and year out. Granted, I’m not here to bash Bowden. He didn’t say that Clemson was trash, or they would be better with him on the sidelines. He just stated his opinion. And, let’s be honest, he did some good things at Clemson. Here’s the two most important things Bowden did at Clemson.

  1. The West Endzone Project/Facilities
  2. He hired Dabo

I’m a firm believer that everything happens in it’s own perfect timing. Clemson needed Bowden at the time in which Bowden was here. His season in the sun passed, and honestly, we benefitted from it.

must read: Deon Cain: The Secret Weapon

I’m not mad at Bowden, he didn’t quit on us,  nor did he leave the program worse than he found it. Whether there is any animosity or jealously between himself and the current staff, administration, or the current state of the program is between himself the good Lord above. I care about his opinion in the same manner that I care about the success of Pitt, or Virginia or Louisville. Indifferent.

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