The Clemson Insider

QUALK TALK: Bye Week Viewer’s Guide

By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net November 1, 2014

By William Qualkinbush.

Clemson bye weeks represent a wonderful opportunity to do whatever you want. It’s time to catch up on that honey-do list, work in the yard, spend time with the family, go on vacation, or do literally whatever you want…or you can sit on the couch and watch more football. For a Clemson fan, here’s a guide that can take you through a potentially restful Saturday on the gridiron…

Duke at Pittsburgh, 12:00, ESPNU. There are five teams in the ACC Coastal Division with two losses, and that has people who predicted a Coastal apocalypse—including me—salivating at the prospect of a multi-way tie in the standings. The Blue Devils are in the driver’s seat with a 6-1 overall record and will probably be favored in their final four games, but they are underdogs at Pittsburgh today. Florida State-Duke for an ACC title isn’t particularly sexy, but if both teams are at least 11-1, that says something. It could happen if Duke can escape today against Pittsburgh.

Florida vs Georgia, 3:30, CBS. You have to have the spectacle formerly known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party on this list. Georgia is a heavy favorite in what might be Will Muschamp’s last stand at Florida. If you like Clemson, you might want to root for anything that slows the spinning of the coaching carousel, and a Florida win would temporarily accomplish that. Depending on the mood of Jeremy Foley, all three prominent Clemson coaches could be in play in Gainesville should Muschamp lose his job. That speculation might begin soon and very soon. If this game gets unbearable, TCU-West Virginia is an excellent alternative.

Auburn at Ole Miss, 7:00, ESPN. I almost put Tennessee-South Carolina on this list, but I was concerned about the sanity of people choosing to watch that game. I’m sure Clemson fans will watch the Gamecocks, but I couldn’t advise it against a possible elimination game for the four-team playoff. Ole Miss is coming off of a loss, while Auburn is looking for redemption against the other team from Mississippi. I love these elimination games, so this is where my TV will be locked.

Utah at Arizona State, 11:00, FS1. This game seems out of sight, out of mind, but it has tremendous implications. Both of these teams have one loss, making this another elimination game. As you slumber off to sleep for an extra hour tonight, this matchup of speed (ASU) and toughness (the Utes) might provide the proper backdrop. In addition, Arizona travels to UCLA in a game that kicks off 30 minutes earlier if more exciting offensive football games are your preference.

God Bless!