Football and BBQ discussion...

[TigerTown]

Football first.

Congrats on your success this year, always fun to play someone new (ACC championship or not.)

While I haven't seen a lot of you all, watched a good bit of the BC game (and in spots otherwise.)

The strength of our team is in our lines for sure. The OL is one of the best parts of our team, largely due to the new OL coach we brought in. DL is top 3 or so in talent in the country, but sometimes hasn't looked like it (goes for entire defense.)

Weakness has been head scratching coaching decisions. UGA game the 2 excellent frosh WRs barely played. Last week the defense went to a 2 man LB group leaving out the LB who had (sort of) stuffed the QB run. Also a crazy number of FG blocked as well. RB1 is really good and will get a cup of coffee in NFL, but is bviously hurting yet they keep putting him out there.

Been a maddening season for Clemson fans where we watch our game and just think "what are we doing/why aren't they trying/playing these guys?"

Regardless, welcome to the ACC and if somehow Clemson wins I truly don't think they drop you out...but can't assume anything these days.

[TigerTown]

And BBQ...love Texas BBQ and Carolina BBQ.

Both are good, completely different so those who compare are dumb. Like Chicago v NY pizza.... it's not trying to be the same thing.

[TigerTown]

SMU strengths and weaknesses?

[highlander]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope you are right about getting in as an at-large team, but we all have our doubts. We are all in on winning the ACCCG.

I watched most of the game against the "Coots" (I believe that's what you call them). I was rooting for you guys, and I was bummed when Klubnik threw that last int. I thought for sure you would at least kick a FG and send it into OT. I will always root for an ACC team over another P4 conference.

[PonyME]

Welcome TigerTown. Our DL is also the strength of the team, secondary not so much but they’ve improved and obviously benefited from the pressure the DL applies and puts the opponent in obvious passing situations. To me the game comes down to the Clemson DL vs our OL. I watched the last surprising 10 minutes on Sat vs SC, I was surprised how easily the SC qb scrambled thru your DL and LBs…over and over again. Our QB is not a run first/ scrambling qb he’s more of an escape artist and then throw it down field type of QB. But he’ll take off too.

Should be fun, good luck.

[Dukie]

SMU strengths and weaknesses?

Hello IPTAY friend! Nice to see you here. (I am a Mustang by birth/family but went to Duke.)

God I miss good pork BBQ. And yes, there is no point in comparing--totally different dishes that have no overlap.

For SMU info, simply search for posts on this site by "JasonB."

[TigerTown]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope you are right about getting in as an at-large team, but we all have our doubts. We are all in on winning the ACCCG.

I watched most of the game against the "Coots" (I believe that's what you call them). I was rooting for you guys, and I was bummed when Klubnik threw that last int. I thought for sure you would at least kick a FG and send it into OT. I will always root for an ACC team over another P4 conference.

Yes, 'coot' has been around a while...I personally prefer 'capon' but this year they have bragging rights.

On that last drive I let myself have "hope" but deep down I knew we just hadn't made plays this year (as you all have/are).

We'll see.

[TigerTown]

Welcome TigerTown. Our DL is also the strength of the team, secondary not so much but they’ve improved and obviously benefited from the pressure the DL applies and puts the opponent in obvious passing situations. To me the game comes down to the Clemson DL vs our OL. I watched the last surprising 10 minutes on Sat vs SC, I was surprised how easily the SC qb scrambled thru your DL and LBs…over and over again. Our QB is not a run first/ scrambling qb he’s more of an escape artist and then throw it down field type of QB. But he’ll take off too.

Should be fun, good luck.

I think we were all surprised how he broke tackles, that said I am less upset/worried on our defense than I am our offense. Sanders is going to be cam newton like next year. We got pressure but dude is big and broke tackles of guys who will play in the NFL.

If your DL is a strength (as it is for scar) I hope we go air raid. Mafah is not healthy, and he wasn't last weekend either. We actually get our best wr back from last year who redshirted (but can now play apparently)...so we hve 4 wr who will be in NFL I'd think we'd use? That said, we'll probably come out in a 22 formation now...lol.

I have no idea what to expect Saturday.

[TigerTown]

SMU strengths and weaknesses?

Hello IPTAY friend! Nice to see you here. (I am a Mustang by birth/family but went to Duke.)

God I miss good pork BBQ. And yes, there is no point in comparing--totally different dishes that have no overlap.

For SMU info, simply search for posts on this site by "JasonB."

You seemed cool until you said "duke".

I guess everyone has warts of some kind.

[Dukie]

SMU strengths and weaknesses?

Hello IPTAY friend! Nice to see you here. (I am a Mustang by birth/family but went to Duke.)

God I miss good pork BBQ. And yes, there is no point in comparing--totally different dishes that have no overlap.

For SMU info, simply search for posts on this site by "JasonB."

You seemed cool until you said "duke".

I guess everyone has warts of some kind.

Hey I was nice. And didn’t even bring up your 3-TD spanking in Derm last year. We could’ve even bonded over having the only 2 wins in the SEC “challenge.”

But back to the matter at hand, you’re about to learn a whole lot about this SMU football team, and I don’t think you’re going to enjoy it.

[highlander]

SMU strengths and weaknesses?

Our biggest weakness is our waterboys. I don't think they're in the top 50.

[Charleston Pony]

As a guy who lived in Texas for 24 years before moving to North and South Carolina, I was a brisket & ribs guy (still am) but have come to appreciate a good pig pickin', something our neighborhood has done for years now every fall. I enjoy both but will say I have never warmed to the whole mustard and vinegar sauce idea. Fortunately, both styles of bbq are available in the Charlotte area so it's all good.

As far as our team's strength and weaknesses, I think our strength is that we have a lot of experienced guys on this team and are deep on the DL in particular. A weakness would be that we don't have elite CBs so we play a lot of zone and really need to pressure QBs and not allow them to sit back while WRs look for openings in our zone. I see that as a key to this game, i.e., we can't let Klubnik get comfortable in the pocket so this will be a matchup of Clemson's highly touted OL vs our DL that I consider a strength of our team. Should be fun and I'm also looking forward to SMU's 1st ever visit to Death Valley next year.

[EastStang]

As to BBQ, obviously beef vs. pork and they are totally different styles. In the Carolinas they seem to compete between the mustard based and vinegar based, I prefer the vinegar, although Virginia with ketchup, vinegar, onion, black and cayenne pepper is my favorite. And on chicken the Alabama white sauce is the best.

Still wondering why Clemson voted against us joining the conference. That will certainly be mentioned to the players and they'll be out with a big chip on their shoulders. As a point of reference, we destroyed FSU. Its going to be a war on Saturday. Both teams will be playing for the big prize. Sort of like the old prize fighter against the young stud. We are excited to be in the ACC and in this game. We hope to hold up our end to make it a good fight.

[TigerTown]

As a guy who lived in Texas for 24 years before moving to North and South Carolina, I was a brisket & ribs guy (still am) but have come to appreciate a good pig pickin', something our neighborhood has done for years now every fall. I enjoy both but will say I have never warmed to the whole mustard and vinegar sauce idea. Fortunately, both styles of bbq are available in the Charlotte area so it's all good.

As far as our team's strength and weaknesses, I think our strength is that we have a lot of experienced guys on this team and are deep on the DL in particular. A weakness would be that we don't have elite CBs so we play a lot of zone and really need to pressure QBs and not allow them to sit back while WRs look for openings in our zone. I see that as a key to this game, i.e., we can't let Klubnik get comfortable in the pocket so this will be a matchup of Clemson's highly touted OL vs our DL that I consider a strength of our team. Should be fun and I'm also looking forward to SMU's 1st ever visit to Death Valley next year.

I think most Clemson fans hope we come out throwing, as it may be an advantage as you note, but also that mafah is not 100% by any stretch. We actually get our best wr back from injury who hasn't really played all year.

[TigerTown]

As to BBQ, obviously beef vs. pork and they are totally different styles. In the Carolinas they seem to compete between the mustard based and vinegar based, I prefer the vinegar, although Virginia with ketchup, vinegar, onion, black and cayenne pepper is my favorite. And on chicken the Alabama white sauce is the best.

Still wondering why Clemson voted against us joining the conference. That will certainly be mentioned to the players and they'll be out with a big chip on their shoulders. As a point of reference, we destroyed FSU. Its going to be a war on Saturday. Both teams will be playing for the big prize. Sort of like the old prize fighter against the young stud. We are excited to be in the ACC and in this game. We hope to hold up our end to make it a good fight.

The clemson vote against SMU wasn't an indictment on SMU, just didn't/don't want more votes against us in future as we get out. We're also a different animal than FSU talent and coaching wise.

That said, we'll see....