FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK’S AVAILABILITY WILL BE A “GAME-TIME DECISION”
By FITSNEWS || Clemson University starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has been listed as “questionable” for this weekend’s big rivalry game against the University of South Carolina. Coaches say his availability will be a “game-time decision.”
The participation of the freshman phenom – who injured his left knee against Georgia Tech – is seen as key to the Tigers’ chances of breaking a five-game losing streak against the Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5 SEC), who enter this game unranked for the first time in five seasons.
If Watson can’t play, No. 23 Clemson (8-3, 6-2 SEC) will be forced to rely on fifth-year senior quarterback Cole Stoudt – who has struggled at the helm of coordinator Chad Morris’ up-tempo offense. Stoudt has thrown for 1,576 yards and six touchdowns but he’s been picked off nine times. By contrast Watson has 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Stoudt is also still a bit gimpy, suffering a shoulder sprain two weeks ago against Georgia Tech that knocked him out of that game.
Whoever starts for Clemson should find the sledding far less tough than it has been in recent years, though. That’s because this Gamecock defense is a far cry from the units that shut down former Tiger quarterback Tajh Boyd over the last three years. After ranking among the nation’s elite units from 2011-13, coordinator Lorenzo Ward‘s troops have been shredded all year long – and have coughed up three two-touchdown leads in the fourth quarter.
Anyway, Clemson enters the game as a 4.5-point favorite at home … where it has lost two in a row to the Gamecocks.
Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. EST on Saturday from Death Valley. ESPN will televise the game nationally, with Steve Levy, Kelly Stouffer and Dawn Davenport providing coverage.
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21 comments
Dabo who killed this kid if it meant beating South Carolina. He will play until his knee is done.
Hi.
And hellooooo
DESHAUN WATSON QUESTIONABLE FOR “THE GAME”
*TBG pours out his glass of Manischewitz and switches to liquor.*
I smell a Six Pack in the distance.
Gotta give respect to this prophetic post…
“As far as Deshaun Watson goes, I’ll tell you exactly what is going to happen. He’ll be questionable all week. He won’t start. The Clemson offense will sputter. We’ll get 1000 shots of Watson on the sideline, and another 1000 “when will Dabo Swinney go to Watson” comments by the announcers. Watson will come off the bench after 2-3 series and the Memorial Stadium crowd will go bananas.”
“After that I have no idea. It all depends on how healthy he is and how our defense responds. Just be prepared for that to be the dominant storyline all week.”
Available at: http://therubberchickensblog.com/
Stoudt has been at Clemson for 4 years, not 5.
Clemson SEC? And it was a knee spain not a shoulder?
Calling him “questionable” and making a decision at game time may be a strategy to get as many people to the game as possible before announcing he will not be playing.
Since the game is sold out, what’s your point?
Many games are sold out, and many fans choose to stay home. Without Watson, who wants to sit in the cold and watch a high-school offense?
Latest line has Clemson – 4 1/2. Just the way I like it.
Pretty impressive that Clemson is 6-2 in the SEC. (at least before the upcoming edit)
Freudian…no doubt. In FITS mind the ACC is tougher than the SEC…They all think that…
How dem cocks doing, bro? Bwahahaha!
Clemson scores again!
When it’s said and done he has not told you a thing (Don Henley was right)….This is so trite…
On SCPSD…We ask: Why is THE CHANT of 2004 (We Want Spurrier) never rehashed never referenced by the Dumb@$$ media…like FITS???..It’s a GREAT read…(: ..and something NEW…
Clemson scores again!
And again!!
Deshaun is very fragile. He sprained his ankle running into the lower legs of one of his linesmen. If he gets in, it may not be for long. Clempson will need to run the ball to have a chance.
Gamecock fans please behave this weekend while in Clemson. Remember you will be on the campus of a Top 20 Public University which I know is foreign to you. Enjoy!