A Few Big Questions for the Upcoming Season

[cowboyjoe]

We "should" have beaten Wyoming and Toledo? The lines were (-3) and (pickem) respectively in those games. Tennessee "should" have beaten Wyoming and they lost 14-7 at home! So don't give me that. 30 points means a lot in today's game...just ask Clawson. I think Tennessee scored under 14 6 times. No one has yet been able to tell me on this site as to why everyone thought we had talent last year and underachieved? Where was the talent...anyone? I don't care what anyone thinks, ranking 44th out of 119 in points scored a game with a head coach who was ranked 115 out of 119 in lowest salary is not bad considering the talent we ran out there every week.

[vwfalcon]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

[cowboyjoe]

Ok then you should have bet the house on BG right before the kick off of the BG-Toledo game last year? No one wanted to bet that game. Admit it. The Southeastern Conference is tough but we are talking about Wyoming and Northern Illinois for two of the games that they scored 14 or under against. Wyoming was one of the worst teams in Division 1 last year. We return both running backs this year (for the third year in a row) 3 receivers and our tight end and we are predicted 5th? No way would we be predicted 5th if Brandon were here. I think we need Sheehan to be our offensive coordinator this year and Clawson needs to stay on the other side of the ball where we really need help. Let Barnes, Bullock, Geter, Sheehan and Co. go to work and get that defense in order.

[VDub26Falcon]

Rivalry games in Mid-Major conferences always get "Pick 'Em" lines because as good old Brent Douch-burger says, "Anything can happen." In the major conferences, the lines are usually in favor of the home team by a few points.

[vwfalcon]

Ya know, you are probably right, if Brandon were here we probably wouldn't be picked 5th we would most likely be picked 1st and END 5th.

[VDub26Falcon]

Ya know, you are probably right, if Brandon were here we probably wouldn't be picked 5th we would most likely be picked 1st and END 5th.

Haven't had one of these in awhile...
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[threestooges]

We "should" have beaten Wyoming and Toledo? The lines were (-3) and (pickem) respectively in those games. Tennessee "should" have beaten Wyoming and they lost 14-7 at home! So don't give me that. 30 points means a lot in today's game...just ask Clawson. I think Tennessee scored under 14 6 times. No one has yet been able to tell me on this site as to why everyone thought we had talent last year and underachieved? Where was the talent...anyone? I don't care what anyone thinks, ranking 44th out of 119 in points scored a game with a head coach who was ranked 115 out of 119 in lowest salary is not bad considering the talent we ran out there every week.

OK, let's say we DIDN'T have talent last year. Isn't this also a reflection on GB? Whether we 1) had talent and underachieved, or 2) we didn't have talent, it's a reflection on the coaching staff. You need to take off those Gregg Brandon-colored glasses every once in a while.

[Father Brown]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

[hammb]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

[Father Brown]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

Hammb, you either get the job done or you dont. And I did notice he was hired as HC. I am not a total idiot. There is just no way we should have risked 4 yrs with this guy given his last stint. Its simply not worth it. More importantly, it wasnt necessary. Too many other great coaches out there.

[hammb]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

Hammb, you either get the job done or you dont. And I did notice he was hired as HC. I am not a total idiot. There is just no way we should have risked 4 yrs with this guy given his last stint. Its simply not worth it. More importantly, it wasnt necessary. Too many other great coaches out there.

I guess that's where we disagree. Of all the candidates I heard talked about Clawson was absolutely my favorite based upon his resumé and track record. I didn't want anything to do with anybody on our previous staff, I wanted a house cleaning. None of the other candidates mentioned had HC experience.

Clawson took two 1AA programs that were in the total crapper and turned them around. His last stop he built a 1AA powerhouse. He spent 1 disappointing season in the SEC, but I'm willing to give a guy a pass on that. I am very much of the mind that success or failure as a coordinator has very little bearing on your ability to be a HC. I put far more stock in his successes as a HC.

[VDub26Falcon]

I'm not willing to give him a pass on anything unless he brings us a MAC Championship in the next 2 years!

[Falconfreak90]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

Hammb, you either get the job done or you dont. And I did notice he was hired as HC. I am not a total idiot. There is just no way we should have risked 4 yrs with this guy given his last stint. Its simply not worth it. More importantly, it wasnt necessary. Too many other great coaches out there.

Father Brown,

First off, I agree with Hammb. Coach Clawson was at Tenn ONE year, with a new QB implementing a new offense in the best conference in the nation. You mention Fulmer won a national title...that he did...in 1998. A DECADE ago. Everyone knew he was a lame duck coach and Coach Clawson was in a pretty tough situation.

Second, Hammb correctly points out Coach Clawson was named 1-AA Coach of the Year Twice. There were a couple other guys that went from 1-AA to 1-A( Sorry, I hate that FBS and FCS bs) and did very well...guys named Tressel and Beamer. If you can coach, you can coach no matter what level.

Third, you mention the risk not worth it giving Coach Clawson the deal he got with so many other great coaches out there. Please name a few of them for me so I can see where you're coming from.

I was one of Coach Brandon's biggest backers...I was upset when he was let go but got over it after a few days cuz that's what happens to coaches in this business. We had SEVENTEEN starters back last year and finished 6-6??? We had a dream of a conference schedule and still finished 4-4 in the MAC??? I talked to Haneline and Bulldozier at last week's scrimmage and you could see the pain in their eyes and voice about how their careers ended. In the end, a change HAD to be made. The loss of scholarships (which really pissed me off), the players in police blotters and the unacceptable losses at home were too much to accept.

I've done a lot of research on Coach Clawson and, at this time, he seems like the perfect fit for our program. Just like I cannot say Coach Clawson will deliver 3 MAC titles his first three years, I don't think it's fair at all to say he isn't worth the contract or being given this opportunity. We simply have to wait and see what happens. But the dude's record speaks for itself. What he did at Fordham and Richmond was not by luck and he had to totally build those programs. He came to BG with a solid stock of talent on hand already.

Just tee up that damn ball in 13 days...and give the man a chance.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Falconboy]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

Hammb, you either get the job done or you dont. And I did notice he was hired as HC. I am not a total idiot. There is just no way we should have risked 4 yrs with this guy given his last stint. Its simply not worth it. More importantly, it wasnt necessary. Too many other great coaches out there.

Father Brown,

First off, I agree with Hammb. Coach Clawson was at Tenn ONE year, with a new QB implementing a new offense in the best conference in the nation. You mention Fulmer won a national title...that he did...in 1998. A DECADE ago. Everyone knew he was a lame duck coach and Coach Clawson was in a pretty tough situation.

Second, Hammb correctly points out Coach Clawson was named 1-AA Coach of the Year Twice. There were a couple other guys that went from 1-AA to 1-A( Sorry, I hate that FBS and FCS bs) and did very well...guys named Tressel and Beamer. If you can coach, you can coach no matter what level.

Third, you mention the risk not worth it giving Coach Clawson the deal he got with so many other great coaches out there. Please name a few of them for me so I can see where you're coming from.

I was one of Coach Brandon's biggest backers...I was upset when he was let go but got over it after a few days cuz that's what happens to coaches in this business. We had SEVENTEEN starters back last year and finished 6-6??? We had a dream of a conference schedule and still finished 4-4 in the MAC??? I talked to Haneline and Bulldozier at last week's scrimmage and you could see the pain in their eyes and voice about how their careers ended. In the end, a change HAD to be made. The loss of scholarships (which really pissed me off), the players in police blotters and the unacceptable losses at home were too much to accept.

I've done a lot of research on Coach Clawson and, at this time, he seems like the perfect fit for our program. Just like I cannot say Coach Clawson will deliver 3 MAC titles his first three years, I don't think it's fair at all to say he isn't worth the contract or being given this opportunity. We simply have to wait and see what happens. But the dude's record speaks for itself. What he did at Fordham and Richmond was not by luck and he had to totally build those programs. He came to BG with a solid stock of talent on hand already.

Just tee up that damn ball in 13 days...and give the man a chance.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 big time.

Clawson was simply the best candidate that was interested in the job and his record with turning around other programs regardless of being Div.1 or not gives me a good reason to believe the guy can get it done. There could be some agony this year with the new system and everything but I believe Clawson will get us back to the top soon enough.

[Father Brown]

The talent was still there from the team that went 8-4 the year prior, we lost a few lineman and that's basically it, we returned most if not all of our WR's and our TE, QB, and both RB's so that's the TALENT we had last year. The betting lines don't hold any water in your argument. You HONESTLY believe that we were a pick em against Toledo? They were HORRIBLE!!! Don't even say but they beat Michigan because they were garbage too... Wyoming was a joke. You can't blame Clawson for the Tennessee situation because he walked into that job at the absolute WRONG time. His hands were tied with that program because they were too committed to the old ways under Fulmer. At the same time, think about this, you want a schedule that will produce 6 games at or under 14 points, ok... well look at the conference... the SEC

Florida
Auburn
Georgia
Alabama
South Carolina

I'm not so sure that BG would put up 14 on those teams. Be realistic and for once be LOGICAL in your thinking, I know that is asking for a miracle based on what I've read over the past year or so from you but come on.

Get off of GB's NUTS and take off the blinders and join the rest of the world.

Cant blame Clawson? Oh yes the Vols can blame him. OC = responsible for offensive production. Fulmer was not the problem. When you win a National Championship, you tend to know how to support your OC and DC needs. As for BG, Clawson and Christopher are on the clock and will be held responsible. None of this "its not his fault because....." stuff.

One season in the SEC is not something to judge a coach on. They were brutal on offense last year, but they didn't exactly have much talent either. Most importantly they were breaking in a new QB in the SEC.

Clawson has had great success as a head coach, granted it was 1AA, but I put far more stock in his head coaching experience than I do in his one season as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. In case you haven't noticed we didn't hire him to be the offensive coordinator either. We hired him to be a head coach, a position in which he has excelled in the past.

Hammb, you either get the job done or you dont. And I did notice he was hired as HC. I am not a total idiot. There is just no way we should have risked 4 yrs with this guy given his last stint. Its simply not worth it. More importantly, it wasnt necessary. Too many other great coaches out there.

Father Brown,

First off, I agree with Hammb. Coach Clawson was at Tenn ONE year, with a new QB implementing a new offense in the best conference in the nation. You mention Fulmer won a national title...that he did...in 1998. A DECADE ago. Everyone knew he was a lame duck coach and Coach Clawson was in a pretty tough situation.

Second, Hammb correctly points out Coach Clawson was named 1-AA Coach of the Year Twice. There were a couple other guys that went from 1-AA to 1-A( Sorry, I hate that FBS and FCS bs) and did very well...guys named Tressel and Beamer. If you can coach, you can coach no matter what level.

Third, you mention the risk not worth it giving Coach Clawson the deal he got with so many other great coaches out there. Please name a few of them for me so I can see where you're coming from.

I was one of Coach Brandon's biggest backers...I was upset when he was let go but got over it after a few days cuz that's what happens to coaches in this business. We had SEVENTEEN starters back last year and finished 6-6??? We had a dream of a conference schedule and still finished 4-4 in the MAC??? I talked to Haneline and Bulldozier at last week's scrimmage and you could see the pain in their eyes and voice about how their careers ended. In the end, a change HAD to be made. The loss of scholarships (which really pissed me off), the players in police blotters and the unacceptable losses at home were too much to accept.

I've done a lot of research on Coach Clawson and, at this time, he seems like the perfect fit for our program. Just like I cannot say Coach Clawson will deliver 3 MAC titles his first three years, I don't think it's fair at all to say he isn't worth the contract or being given this opportunity. We simply have to wait and see what happens. But the dude's record speaks for itself. What he did at Fordham and Richmond was not by luck and he had to totally build those programs. He came to BG with a solid stock of talent on hand already.

Just tee up that damn ball in 13 days...and give the man a chance.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I get it now. If you are a spineless Colonel, you will become a hardened leader as a General. If you are an unorganized disaster as Asst Principal, you will become a detail oriented Principal. If you are a below average vice president for a company, you will achieve greatness as its CEO. What in the world makes you think a BCS OC with the results he generated deserves our HC position? Our football program is one of the most important assets for the University. Its hard enough making the right choice when everything you look at checks out, both in official record and background evaluations. Christopher is the ONLY FBS AD who would have made this hire. He apparently thinks he smarter than everyone else, so we are going to find out. You need to take a hard look at our administration and hold them accountable for below average returns on our investments. Part of my appreciation for BG is its casual and forgiving nature but those days are over for our revenue sports. We must succeed.