TigerNet Talk is a new audio show(Podcast) about Clemson Sports hosted by El Swann®. This broadcast will be available every Tuesday morning during the football season. If you enjoy the show, please help support it by becoming a donor member. For information on donations, please visit http://tigernet.com/donate.do.

El Swann® will discuss whatever is going on with Clemson Sports and TigerNet. During the season he will talk about upcoming games, review the previous week's game, and answer your questions. He is also going to try and have some guests on as well. I hope you enjoy it and please let us know how you like it.

Please email all feedback, suggestions, topics, and notable posts to tnt@tigernet.com.

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Wednesday December 31, 2008

TigerNet Talk #65 - The Gator Bowl - 12/31/2008

Clemson and Nebraska come into the 2009 Gator Bowl riding high. Both teams had huge lulls during the mid season, but have come on strong down the stretch. Out of every bowl game slated to take place over the next few days, nothing seems to rival the head to head battle between Clemson's defense and Nebraska's offense. Clemson brings one of the nation's top pass defenses, while the Cornhuskers, yield a vaunted passing attack. It could make for an interesting afternoon in Jacksonville. Given the stalemate which might occur, I expect this game will be won at the line of scrimmage. If the Clemson defensive line can pressure Joe Ganz into making bad reads, Clemson has an opportunity to score an impressive win to close the season. Ganz has been on fire this year, and in any other conference, he would be the talk of the region. In 15 career starts, Ganz has tossed the ball for over 4,700 yards and 38 touchdowns. Trust me, getting to him will be the key. If he can get out of the pocket and cause havoc with the play action pass, Tiger fans will have a long trip home on I-95. However, I haven't seen enough evidence from the Big 12's bowl performance thus far to make me believe that Clemson can't get the job done. From an outsiders view, the mighty Big 12 seems a bit top heavy bolstering two heavyweights, Oklahoma and Texas. Even those two teams could become exploited and make heads turn around the country. In the past it has been the Big 10 that hasn't shown up in bowl games. This year, while still early, it looks like the Big 12 might be in the same boat. In the end, it all boils down to execution on the field. One play at a time, Clemson has performed well for Coach Swinney. When everything seemed lost after the Wake Forest loss, in five short days, Dabo turned it around. Even in a loss to Georgia Tech, there was a new feeling about where this team could go. A preseason top ten program, once again felt like it had its feet underneath it. Some coaches have a special ability to change the attitude of their team. I think Julius from Remember the Titans, said it best, "Attitude reflects leadership."

http://www.clemsonpodcasts.com

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TigerNet Talk #65 (38 MB)

Thursday December 18, 2008

TigerNet Talk #64 - Moving On Up - 12/18/2008

As the bowl games approach, the college football spirit always seems to fade. However, once the bowls kick off, everyone gets back into full gear. I can't imagine thinking that a playoff would take away from the current system. Surely in my lifetime we will see the change. I am not asking for a complete removal of the bowls, but at least a playoff of the top eight teams. Since we are still a few weeks away from the bowl, I decided to talk Clemson hoops. Daniel Alexander co-hosts, as we go "Beyond the Arc", and talk Tiger basketball and your top 25 Clemson Tiger basketball team. Unlike a few years ago when we started 18-0, this team has already beaten some quality opponents, and is on the verge of a great start. Coach Oliver Purnell has done an amazing job and continues to get the most of of his teams. If the Tigers can make through their next four games unblemished, another special season might come together. However, I must give that 2006 team some credit. To get to 18-0, they kicked off the ACC slate with a 4-0 start. If this year's squad can get to 4-0 in the ACC it will have to include a win in Chapel Hill. It's a long way off right now, but and 18-0 start this year would be something to celebrate. A win in Chapel Hill. That sounds nice!

http://www.clemsonpodcasts.com

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TigerNet Talk #64 (32 MB)

Friday December 05, 2008

TigerNet Talk #63 - On To Da'Bowl Game - 12/05/2008

It has been an exciting week to be a Clemson Tiger. If thumping your rival 31-14
wasn't enough to get you feeling good, the Tigers qualified for the postseason,
and appear to be headed to The Gator Bowl.

Credit Coach Swinney for bringing the energy and passion back to Clemson fans.
It wasn't a night game, but Death Valley had that feeling during a rainy noon
game last weekend. You can't say enough about what this team and coaching staff
did facing adversity. If Dabo Swinney's career is as good as his "interview," I
think Clemson fans have a lot to be excited about.

I will admit that I didn't have him at the top of my list, but Coach Swinney
seems to have a passion for success. I think his philosophy of football seems
to fit perfectly at Clemson. The revamping of the offense and defense during
the second half of the season was a testament to his coaching. Both sides of
the football team improved immensely under Swinney's leadership and Clemson is
now one win away from an eight win season.

I can't tell you for sure if it will work out, but we will know by this time
next year. The true test will come next fall as Swinney guides the Tigers
through a full season. Right now it looks like an exciting future. I hope it
works out, because I am "All In."

Coach Dabo Swinney will be on Clemson Hotline this Monday evening from 8-9PM.
Affiliate information, live listening links, and podcast links can be found at
www.clemsonpodcasts.com

http://www.clemsonpodcasts.com

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TigerNet Talk #63 (32 MB)

Thursday November 27, 2008

TigerNet Talk #62 - One Play Can Last A Lifetime - 11/27/2008

As families across the state of South Carolina begin to gather for Thanksgiving,
there will certainly be talk of this weekend’s rivalry game in Clemson. The
Clemson - Carolina game is not only one of the longest uninterrupted rivalries
in college football; it is one of the most bitter and spirited. This game often
pits brother against brother, wife against husband, and in some cases you can
even find, parents verses children. In the landscape of college football,
rarely does a rivalry have the combination of longevity and closeness in
proximity to your adversary as we have in our state.

As a player, you know that if you make a big play in this game, your legacy
could be solidified. One mistake and you are remembered favorable by your
nemesis. The names Gore, Butler, Gardner, Whitehurst and Underwood will be
forever revered in Clemson and loathed at Williams-Brice. Those names sting
Gamecock fans the way the names Edwards, Hold, and Taneyhill conjure memories
of disappointment for the Tiger faithful.

In many ways, Clemson’s domination of this series is impressive. When you
evaluate the history of the rivalry, it’s hard to believe what Clemson has
accomplished. Consider that for the first 57 years, Clemson played in Columbia,
and still held a twelve game lead in the series. Over the next 48 games, Clemson
has gone 31-16-1 stretching their advantage to a nearly insurmountable
twenty-seven games. In fact, you have to be well over 40 years old to remember
the last time South Carolina won back to back games in the series. That history
seems to creep into the minds of Gamecock fans and players as kickoff gets
closer.

This is a rivalry that very few teams can match. In my opinion, the Clemson
– Carolina game is frequently passed over nationally as a top rivalry,
because rarely do both teams come in highly ranked by season’s end. This
year’s noon start on ESPN2 doesn’t exactly grab anyone outside of the
regions attention. It will be interesting to see how motivated these teams are
on Saturday considering the kickoff time. There is a lot riding on this game
for both teams, but sometimes knowing you are not on in prime time can diminish
an individual’s passion. I wouldn't expect that to happen in this one,
because with one big play, you WILL be remembered forever in our state.

http://www.clemsonpodcasts.com

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TigerNet Talk #62 (37 MB)

Thursday November 20, 2008

TigerNet Talk #61 - Did Someone Say Pergola? - 11/20/2008

Virginia week on Tigernet tends to lead to two types of posts. Posts from those
who know what pergolas are and posts from those who want to know. This week,
things started off the same, but it seems the coaching situation has replaced
the some of the usual talk of pergola construction. Did anyone hear that
Clemson will be adding one to the east side of Memorial Stadium next season? I
kid, I kid.

There was a time when Clemson fans could chalk the Virginia game up in the win
column before loading up the vehicle for the game. Clemson once owned a 29-0
series advantage and every Tiger fan expected to win verses the Cavilers.
However, that all ended in 1990 and since that time, UVA has led the series
8-6-1. Many Clemson fans still blame Ken Hatfield for this series taking a turn
for the worst. However, Hatfield did finish his career with a winning record
going 2-1-1 against the Wahoo's, but the same can't be said for the two
Tommy's. West finished 1-4 while Bowden went 3-3 in his time at Clemson.

Since the expansion of the ACC Clemson and Virginia don't see each other every
year. These two teams last squared off in 2004. In that game, a 9th ranked
Virginia team dominated the Tigers 30-10 and secured their largest margin of
victory in the series. In an odd event, I don't think either team has a player
with game experience against the other squad. I don't recall that ever
happening for Clemson. I guess this is one of the adjustments that have to be
made with a twelve team conference. It will be interesting to see how Clemson
responds in a must win game on the road.

Switching gears a bit, as the football season begins to wind down, the search
for Clemson's next head coach continues. With Texas seemingly securing Will
Muschamp as "Coach In Waiting", Clemson now turns it's attention towards other
coaching candidates. The one thing that seems to become more apparent each week
is that no one really knows what is going on.
There is tons of speculation and investigation, but very little has come from
any of the information. This week, I talk about the possibility of Lane Kiffin,
my third choice, becoming the next head coach at Clemson.

Anyhow, if you can't get that pergola out of your mind, learn to build one
yourself.
http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/pergola-construction.htm

http://www.clemsonpodcasts.com

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TigerNet Talk #61 (27 MB)