Yeah… doesn’t that sound completely asinine?

To quote Harvey Danger, “Paranoia, Paranoia, Everybody’s Coming to Get Me!”

Rich is no Gator, that’s for sure.  Some people at Warchant.com need to get over it. What am I talking about? Read this. It really shouldn’t surprise anyone though, there are some paranoid folks over at Warchant. The kind that freak about about ScalpEm being a “direct competitor” to Warchant. I was flattered, but really, ScalpEm has never tried to be or beat Warchant. If it did, people would know about it long in advance of the takeover. :-D

Rich… keep up the good work at ChantRant and Garnet and Great.

ScalpEm.com continues its blog dominance by participating in the Know Your (Insert Here) Series with other Top Blogs. This week we begin to take a look at the Labor Day showdown with the Clemson Tigers. Thanks to my buddies chili and Willy Mac (his sleep sock is pictured above) over at DannyFordIsGod.com, one kick ass Clemson Blog. In fact, it’s the ONLY Clemson blog I read. Here’s a link to “Know Your Noles” over on their site. Nice photoshop of Bobby and the Boys guys.

1. When Clemson comes to mind, Nole fans think Tommy Bowden. Do you think Clemson can win an MNC with Tommy Bowden at the helm?

A few things here. Tommy is a hard guy to hate. I guess that’s what makes him so easy to hate as well. There’s not a bad spot on this guy’s record. He’s always had winning seasons here, but I don’t think he is good enough to win the MNC at this point in his career. He’s got the coaches around him, and the talent to do it with, and he’s one hell of a recruiter, it’s just that when it’s time to man up and take some chances, he doesn’t anymore. Case in point, he pulls players that are hot, he rides injured players, and doesn’t make corrections when someone figures out his game plan.

2. How good is QB Cullen Harper going to be?

It’s still left to be seen, as he has no real game experience. Now of course, all the Clemson thickheads are still drooling over the newest addition to the Clemson QB ranks, freshman Willy Korn. They are so blinded by Korn, that they forget why we signed Harper in the first place. He’s not a bad quarterback, and there’s a reason he’s #1 on the depth chart right now. The kid was a stellar athlete in high school and I think he’ll do fine. But, if he does have a shaky start next year, expect Bowden to cave to public pressure and throw Cullen under the bus in favor of a much younger, possibly more talented Korn.

3. Will your experience laden offensive line open enough holes for RBs C.J. Spiller and James Davis? Or, will those two just make their own damn holes?

I think it’s safe to say that a healthy James Davis is just a thoroughbred horse. He’s just too damned strong. He’s definitely the slower of the two, but he’s not slow. He’s still ridiculously fast and he’s a good north/south runner. He hit’s the holes quickly with a lot of power and time and time again I’ve seen him either push over huge linemen lock ups on his way to picking up fifteen yards on carry. Another important thing that he proved in spring ball is that you just can’t ankle tackle him. He kicks out of it. The guy does train with former Raven’s RB Jamal Lewis. Now CJ Spiller, is just too fast to capture with the human eye. Not as strong as Davis, but he’s still pretty strong. Still, I see him running off tackle and catching a lot of screen passes. He’s definitely more of an east/west kinda back. He doesn’t have kick you in the teeth moves, but he does have human bullet, now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t capabilities.

4. The kicking game remains a problem for Bowdens everywhere. FSU has issues heading into 2007, has Clemson improved any over last year’s woes?

Well, we lost three year starting punter Cole Chason and four year starting place kicker Jad Dean to graduation. Currently, we have walk-on Jimmy Maners listed as the starting punter and walk-on Mark Buchholz as the kicker. Buchholz is also a starting midfielder on the soccer team. Sophomore Richard Jackson, a high school parade All-American, could be starting both positions by the time the season rolls around, but lower back and hamstring injuries have hampered his progress and he hasn’t even kicked once as a Tiger. I for one am just concerned that we have two walk-ons holding starting positions, especially with our recent special teams woes. If it’s one thing I’m always worried about, it’s the play of our special teams.

5. Who will make the biggest impact on defense for the Tigers?

The returning linebacking corps should be the natural leaders of the group. Senior Tramaine Billie returns after a redshirt year last year due to a broken ankle and should be the top man on defense. Before his injury last year he posted a 4.34 speed in the 40-yard dash. Nick Watkins also returns as a two year starter as well as Antonio Clay, who reminds me a lot of Leroy Hill in terms of flying to the ball and being in on every tackle. He did not participate in spring practice due to family issues, but should be back this summer and ready to go by next fall. Up at defensive line, Kwam Williams, Philip Merling, and Ricky Sapp should create plenty of havoc on the ends as they look to replace consensus All-American Gaines Adams. On the inside, Jock McKissic, Rashaad Jackson, and Dorell Scott are three big bulls that love to knock the chocolate out of people once they get their hands on them. McKissic possesses an impressive wingspan and jumping ability for a DT.

6. What might surprise Seminole fans about Clemson football? About Clemson the school?

Football wise, we’ve been on the cusp of getting back to where we were in the late 80s. We’ve posted solid records for over a decade now, not to mention that we’ve won the past few match-ups between the our schools. But, FSU is still a very powerful team that just can’t catch a break. This game could very well go either way. School wise, if you’ve never been to Death Valley for a game, I can say we do better than most teams with welcoming opposing fans. Of course, you’re going to have the wahoos of every group, but we’re pretty good about our manners. We have a tight knit group of fans that are very enthusiastic and L-O-U-D. If you do plan on making up for labor day, I suggest that you take the following Tuesday off as well. This looks to be a great game and I hope that you find Clemson and our fans on pleasant terms.

7. In your opinion, are the hot-but-might-stalk-you-if-you-wrong-them chicks worth the risk? Does the stalking potential make it that much more interesting?

On every level, if you’re a single guy you should be saying yes, yes, and yes to this question, especially if they are hot and/or have hot friends that you can jump to and fro between. The stalking aspect is kinda like fire. Of course in the end one of you is going to get burned and both parties will leave each other with an unpleasant taste in the mouth, but it’s SO MUCH FUN to toy with other peoples emotions like a cat playing with a mouse. In my honest opinion and from personal experience, a crazy stalker girl is always a fun thing to have around. Also, the sex is usually pretty good seeing as they’re desperate to begin with and will do just about anything to land a man.

Just a heads up, ScalpEm.com is participating in a series with Clemson Tigers site, DannyFordIsGod over the next months in preparation for the Labor Day game. Look for the first edition this week!

And I also wanted to formally announce that DannyFordIsGod.com and ScalpEm.com have entered into a SUPER BLOWOUT LABOR DAY BIG GAME BOWDEN BOWL BET.  That right, the loser of the game will dress their site in the other team’s colors.

victory by < 7 = 1 day of Garnet & Gold for DFIG

victory by 7-14 = 2 days

victory by 14 or more = 3 days of Garnet & Gold glory on DFIG.

The Seminole Baseball Team took two-of-three from the UNC Tar Heels.  Bryan Henry was stellar on Friday night, but the rest of the weekend was shaky at best from the starters.  Michael Hyde only lasted a few innings before being yanked because he couldn’t find the plate.  The Noles looked at too many called third strikes, and left too many guys on base.  Let’s hope it was an anomaly, and not the start of a trend.  This weekend they head to Miami to play the Hurricanes at Mark Light… it should be an interesting series even though the ‘Canes have been up-and-down all year.  Friday and Saturday night’s games are on Sun Sports at 7pm.

The Seminole Softball Team kicked some ACC butt this weekend, by sweeping the Virginia Cavaliers.  FSU needed to get hot as the season comes to a close and it looks like they are doing it.  The ACC Tournament in May is being held at JoAnne Graf Field at FSU, FYI.

By Bill Kristoph

Yesterday, the Seminole baseball team fell to the Florida Gators 5-4 at Dick Howser Stadium.  That Gator team, is now 21-19 and a bubble team for the NCAA tournament if they continue that record over the next couple of weeks against SEC opponents.  The Seminoles still only have 5 losses on the season, but are they headed for a stumble? Fans on a couple of message boards are starting to grumble, and perhaps, they have a reason.

Sure, FSU was starting Bo O’Dell, who hasn’t been bad, but hasn’t been great this season either.  He pitched ok, as did the FSU bullpen (hats off to Luke Tucker cleaning up a bases loaded jam that wasn’t his). But that dreaded FSU lineup that hits all day only put up 4 runs, even though they were in the double digits in hits.  That means there were a lot of Noles standing around on the bases when the 3rd out of the inning was made.  Runners left on base kills the best of teams. Not only that, but FSU had three opportunities for big hits last night, and couldn’t capitalize on any of them.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Mets fan.  Mets fans are cynical to the Nth degree, simply because we’ve watched plenty of potential go down the tube when it counted.  We still root just as hard as anyone, and I continue to pull for my Seminoles big time, but deep down I wonder if, yet again, this isn’t all for naught. When the tournament rolls around (ACC or NCAA take your pick) the bats can’t afford back-to-back bad days.  The starting pitching can’t afford back-to-back bad performances, nor can the bullpen. If you have any of those scenarios, your 2007 is over.

The next few weekends will tell a lot about the 2007 Seminoles.  UNC comes to town this weekend, and will be FSU’s toughest opponent, but Miami, Clemson and Georgia Tech are waiting in their dens waiting to dampen a, so far, fantastic effort by FSU. Then the ACC Tournament and the NCAA tournament follow.  Let’s hope that if FSU is going to string a couple of bad games together, and they are overdue, it happens sooner, rather than later.

FSU Freshman, Terese Gober, became the third Seminole softball pitcher to throw a no hitter this season. It is the first of her collegiate career. Gober, picked up the 8-0 victory against Jacksonville behind the hitting prowess of another FSU pitcher, Kayla Collins. Collins was 3-for-3 with 3RBI. The Noles also won game two of the doubleheader, 3-0. Melissa May picked up the victory, behind back-to-back home runs by Brittany Osmon and Jessica Gilmore. FSU has picked up some momentum by winning their last 5 and is now 32-19 this season.

Since I’m having trouble writing coherently lately, let’s forget about format and dive into my observations.

I stand by my previous statement, that Drew Weatherford will start for FSU in the fall.

Xavier Lee has the stronger arm, yes, but it’s painfully obvious it’s not the accurate one.

I wish I could have seen Ponder work with the first team.

The format of the Garnet & Gold Game is awful.  They can keep the green jerseys on the QBs, but they should line up teams against each other.

Our kicking game is not good.  I don’t know how bad it is, since the winds were blowing around 20mph on Saturday, but it was a tailwind.  Plus, blocked kicks have nothing to do with wind.

There were more than 15,000 at the game, contrary to what the Tallahassee Democrat stated.

The defense looked solid, as it always does. The defensive line looks like it has potential to be very, very good.

It took only one play before I heard a “Fire Jimbo” call. The joke got a chuckle from nearby fans.

I think fans should prepare to see a lot of wide receiver screens.

It’s good to see coaches getting in players’ faces.

Intensity and urgency seemed to be up.

FSU has a long way to go, if they’d like to return to top form.

By Bill Kristoph

It’s the weekend that fans anticipate in the Spring.  Garnet & Gold Game Weekend.  The Seminole Football team will put their new Jimbo Fisher offense on the field at Doak Campbell Stadium this Saturday at 2pm.  Lots of information is out on the web regarding Spring Practice. A good starting point is Seminoles.com’s 2007 Spring Football Central. Of course there’s always Warchant.com, but quite frankly, you can find most of the premium info they have, free on the web elsewhere. Scott Carter, of the Tampa Tribune, has a wish list on his blog for the G&G game.  My favorite of his wishes: That Rick Trickett does some cap tossing.

It’ll be interesting to see the dynamic of the fans on Saturday.  Will they be awed by a new offense, or will the critics already be screaming their heads off. Drew or Xavier? According to various reports, they’ve been pretty even and Weatherford finished up with one of his best performances of the Spring.  Will their be screams of Xavier immediately? If Lee doesn’t win the job, will fans think he didn’t get the fair shake that Jimbo Fisher promised?  What about the Chuck Amato’s impact on the Seminole Defense?

And, will FSU ever have a reliable kicking game?

That’s not the only game in town though. The Florida State baseball team is back at home in Dick Howser Stadium, where they’ll take on ACC (and former Metro conference) rival Virginia Tech.  FSU Athletics was bright enough to move the Saturday start time from 7pm to 4:30pm, in order to attract the crowds attending the Garnet & Gold game. And, in case anybody was wondering, FSU Softball is on the road at Boston College. On the bright side, FSU beat FAMU last night. On the down side, they’re still struggling with quality opponents.

FSU Baseball won another ACC series over the weekend, taking 2 of 3 games from the N.C. State Wolfpack.  The Seminoles continued to tear the cover off of the ball at the plate.  Bryan Henry and Ryan Strauss picked up victories, while Michael Hyde lost his second decision of the year.  FSU is now 31-4 on the season, they take on Jacksonville Tuesday night at Dick Howser Stadium.  The Dolphins beat the Noles once this year already.  This weekend, FSU takes on the Virginia Tech Hokies at 7pm, 4:30pm (game time changed from 7pm) and 1pm.

Seminole Softball continued having woes against Georgia Tech. The Noles scored a bunch of runs this time, but couldn’t suppress a potent GT offensive attack.  FSU lost another 1 run ballgame, 7-6 to GT and was blown out in the other loss, 9-1.  The lone victory was an 8-0 shutout by Tiffany McDonald, who finally got plenty of run support. Veronica Wootson also broke the career home run record for FSU, previously held by Jessica Boulware (van der Linden).

The Garnet & Gold Game is next Saturday at 2pm at Doak Campbell Stadium.  Be sure to get out there and check out the beginnings of the new Jimbo Fisher offense.  It should be an eye opening experience for many Seminole fans. Stick around after the game for FSU Baseball at 4:30pm!