CHESTNUT HILL, MA. - The biggest mistake in sports journalism today – and one I make quite often – is assuming that fans who post on Internet message boards provide an accurate gauge of the general fandom.
Au contraire. Message boards attract the lunatic fringe. And not to suggest that there aren’t realists who are measured in their opinions, but mostly, posters look at the world as though that cloud coming on this sunny day is a sure sign of impending thunderstorms.
Such is the case in the wake of Boston College’s 16-10 win over Clemson on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. They’re still killing coach Frank Spaziani, especially over playcalling. This is always amusing. You’re never sure the pedigree of the questioners, half of whom might think “nickleback” is the group who sang “Rockstar” and not an actual position in the secondary.
Question: While you all obsess about playcalling, does Spaziani bear any responsibility whatsoever for one of the best defensive efforts in many years?
With Deleon Gause, Brad Newman, Alex Albright and Wes Davis out?
Does he get any credit at all?
Especially with his team in the morass of a five-game losing streak?
Clemson, a team with considerably more talent than Boston College, scored three points on offense. Three. Raise your hand if you saw that coming.
As for the offense: Spaziani and coordinator Gary Tranquill deserve some criticism for dumbing down the offense too much at times. Saturday, however, was not one of them. The best way for the Tigers to score would have been via a turnover, as was the case early. Spaziani’s decision to let the defense win the game in the second half wasn’t merely prudent but entirely necessary.
To suggest Boston College needed to “open it up” is a better rant for another day. Not Saturday. Chase Rettig played better, Montel Harris played great and the offense thinks positive thoughts heading to this week at Wake.
BC’s effort suggests they’re still listening to Spaziani and his coaches. That’s cause for celebration. Five-game losing streaks tell you more about The Fire Within than five-game winning streaks. The man coached a great game Saturday. If you don’t understand that, you belong anonymous behind your screen name posting your blather. Because if the rest of us knew your identities, we’d expose you for the nitwits you are.
I’m one of those people who marvels at Boston College beating Clemson in football. Clemson. A tradition-rich southern school that – sorry, but this is the truth – just doesn’t have the same admissions standards as Boston College. Clemson is always more talented. It was more talented Saturday. But BC won. Spaziani should be commended.
Mike DiMauro is the sports columnist at the New London (CT) Day.
