In a new series called, “Interviewing the Enemy”, Noled Out editor Mike Ferguson will be discussing the week’s upcoming Florida State game with a fan, figure or writer associated with the opposing team to get an opposing point of view.
This week, Mike was able to have a chat with Clemson super-fan, Clemson Tom. An absolute Tigers diehard, Clemson Tom has been known for his pregame and post-game Youtube videos among a number of other things.
Clemson Tom was nominated by Bleacher Report as the #1 fan in sports and is the co-host of Southern Sports Central. Clemson Tom took time out this week to answer several questions on the Tigers’ visit to Tallahassee to take on #1 Florida State in what will be the ACC opener for both schools Saturday.
Ferguson: The big news from Tallahassee this week is obviously the first half suspension of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. From a Clemson perspective, how does this change the mindset of the Tigers heading into Saturday’s game?
Clemson Tom: I think from the team’s perspective, your defense has to change a little bit. At the same time, just because Jameis (Winston) got suspended, you still got that offensive line, you still got those running backs and your entire defense is going to be there. I don’t think it changes too much. Personally from a fan’s perspective, we wanted him there for four quarters. If we do beat you, we don’t want any excuses.
Ferguson: Since 2009, the winner of the Clemson-Florida State game has gone on to win the ACC’s Atlantic division every year. Is there any reason why this year’s game should be any different?
Clemson Tom: No not at all. The ACC, it is what it is and we are the two best teams in the whole conference. This is basically the championship game. Everybody knows that and the winner’s going to go to Charlotte.
Ferguson: Over the last two seasons, Florida State has been the only ACC team to beat Clemson. Why have the Seminoles been so successful against the Tigers and what can Clemson do to make that different this year?
Clemson Tom: Honestly last year, we just made a lot of mistakes and it just piled on and we couldn’t overcome the mistakes that were happening. That, and you took it to us. The year before that, I really thought we were going to beat you. You guys being at home, you get that big kick return that happened and like two plays later, it was a touchdown. The thing at Doak (Campbell Stadium) is when the crowd gets back into it, it becomes its own entity. I think the players feed off of that and it’s tough to come out of. I think the last time there we just couldn’t overcome the adversity. That, and you guys got a good team.
Ferguson: Freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson has been lights out off the bench this season with four touchdown passes on just 13 attempts. With two weeks to prepare for FSU, do you think we see an increased dose of him on Saturday?
Clemson Tom: Oh yeah. The coaches were working him in because he was the #1 quarterback in the country when we signed him. Fans, coaches, everyone wants him in there just because he brings something different than Cole Stoudt can. I would imagine maybe four drives. The fans want him in more than the coaches do. The coaches aren’t ready to throw him to the lions quite yet especially with our offensive line being what it is. So, you definitely will see more of that out there, the stuff he brings — something completely different to the table. He’s amazing.
Ferguson: Do you think the fact that he (Watson) has played in front of a hostile crowd since you guys opened the season at Sanford Stadium will also be a help to him?
Clemson Tom: I think it does help. At the same time, Sanford Stadium is not Doak Campbell. It’s completely different. I think Doak is a better home field advantage than Georgia, but that will definitely help.
Ferguson: As I said before this game has become the preeminent ACC game of the season. Your Tigers obviously have South Carolina and my ‘Noles obviously have Florida, but how close is Florida State and Clemson to becoming a legitimate rivalry and maybe one of the better ones in college football?
Clemson Tom: For it to be a rivalry, Clemson’s going to have to step it up and win a few. Right now, it’s two good teams going after each other and Florida State’s been winning. That’s every week in college football. For this to go down as being a good rivalry, I think it all starts Saturday. It’s already been a rivalry just within itself, but from a national perspective, ESPN has pretty much given us the means to make it something. Back-to-back 8 P.M. games or three in a row, so they want it to be. Last year, we didn’t show up to the table and this year with Jameis gone, that’s going to put some controversy behind it and maybe give it a bit more. More people will be wanting to watch the second half, but we’ve got to start beating you to make it a little bit more nationally relevant. Upsetting the #1 team in the country would be huge.
Ferguson: As a Clemson fan, what single aspect of Florida State’s team are you most concerned about?
Clemson Tom: For Florida State, it’s the secondary. (Ronald) Dabry, I think he’s going to be like your next (Richard) Sherman and (Darrelle) Revis Island and all that stuff. He’s a talented corner. He was choosing between Florida State and Clemson and chose Florida State at the last minute. Your whole secondary is really, really talented. I think it’s going to be tough for our offense to put much together against your defense. I mean Jameis is out, but he’s not your entire team. You’re still Florida State.
Ferguson: You’re doing work for Kidz1stFund this weekend, an organization that seeks to find a cure for Fanconi Anemia. What sort of things are you doing and how did you become involved in this cause?
Clemson Tom: The Madison Social reached out to me and told me what they were looking to do. Once I found out what it was, I immediately jumped on board. I think a fire station or something like that is holding a dunk tank and we’re raising money so all the Florida State fans that don’t like me can dunk me because I tell them I don’t like their team, which I still find funny. I guess if I don’t like your team, that makes me a bad guy. They’re going to be able to dunk me in a dunk tank and so far, we’ve got great reviews from social media. Even some of the Clemson fans want to dunk me which is pretty funny, but we’ll put the rivalry aside for two hours and help Jimbo (Fisher) and his family with the situation that they’re going through.
