ESPN's College Gameday Headed to Clemson

Its Official!  

After months of speculation and rumors, ESPN finally made it official earlier today. While on campus filming a feature on the Tigers for College Football Live, they announced that they will indeed be back in Clemson August 31st to watch the Tigers battle the Dawgs in an old-school rivalry renewed. In one of the biggest season openers in recent history, both teams will enter the game in the top 10 with a veteran QB under-center. This game has all the makings of an instant classic and once you throw in the history and rivalry between the schools the game becomes even more intriguing. 

This will be College Gameday's second visit to Clemson. The first trip was back in 2006 when the Tigers hosted Georgia Tech in a Top 15 match-up. It was a beautiful day and game day atmosphere and Clemson fans showed up bright and early and made noise all day long. Although I can't say it was the absolute loudest game I've been to, it definitely was the most "electric". From the moment Gameday went live until they went off the air after the game, Clemson fans were making their presence felt. The vibe and atmosphere for the game was 2nd to none. The Tigers came ready to play and although it was a cool night with clear skies, "Thunder and Lighting" aka James Davis and C.J. Spiller struck multiple times in Death Valley that night. The Tigers took it to the Yellow jackets in a 31-7 victory over their rivals from the coastal division. Clemson had the nation's attention that night and they took full advantage and left a good impression on ESPN's gameday crew. 

A great deal has changed about this program since the 2006 season and I'm thrilled to have Gameday back in Clemson for all the nation to see what makes this school and town so special. From Howard's Rock, The Hill, Tiger Walk, The Esso Club, and the traditional rushing of the field after EVERY game to join at the Paw and sing the Alma Mater, Clemson is a very unique and special place. Glad to see that all that and much more will once again be on display for all of the College Football world to see. 

In Closing, I leave you with my top three favorite memories from that special night on October 21, 2006: 

3.  The Pick-

For those of you that aren't as familiar with College Gameday, at the end of each show the crew goes through a string of games for the day and predicts the winner. They conclude with the featured game and Lee Corso goes under the desk and pulls out the mascot head of the team he believes will win. He isn't afraid to pull against the home team and crowd but on this day he was "All In" with the Tigers and pulled out the Tiger mascot head and I remember the fans going nuts. 

2. Calvin Who?-

Clemson fans will remember all to well back in 2004 when GT came to Clemson and "stole" one from the Tigers the final moments of the game. A botched punt recovered deep in Clemson territory lead to a TD catch from then-freshmen Calvin Johnson that ended up being the game-winner. A young Calvin Johnson left Death Valley silent that night. On this night however, Clemson got their revenge and didn't allow "Megatron", as we now know him, a single catch. Shutting down such a quality receiver was a huge accomplishment and something for Clemson to hang its hat on. 

1. The Double-Move-

I remember this play like it was yesterday. Early in the fourth quarter, Clemson went to a familiar play in the ole playbook. A Rob Spence Special, as I like to call it. Yup, you guessed it, the bubble screen. In a play that seemed like it was going nowhere fast, CJ Spiller showed the nation just how athletic and quick he was. Spiller caught the screen pass along the GT sideline. Made on quick juke to the right making a defender miss, another quick juke to the left dodging another GT defender, and then it was off to the races. "Lighting" struck on a 50 yard TD pass that happened so fast if you blinked, you probably missed it.







The anticipation now grows even more with the official announcement. All eyes will be on Clemson, SC on August 31st. Will the Tigers rise to the occasion and prove all the "experts" wrong again and prove they are worthy of being talked of as National Champion contenders? Or will Aaron Murray and his stacked backfield be too much for the suspect Tiger defense? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, August 31st is going to be a memorable day for both Clemson and Georgia fans alike. Only 24 days until kickoff. And it simply can't get here soon enough! Operation: BEAT UGA is in full force! See you in the valley!!