Palmetto Proving Grounds

I agree. Not suer how we didn't at least jump Stanford. We have the same record as them and played a much harder schedule. They essentially played three tough teams. They got the benefit of the doubt because of Luck.

I am actually not that upset about it. Yes, would have liked the home town paper to give us a homer rating, But let's face it, its the state paper.

However, love the fact he ranked clemson 24, behind the power houses of Southern Mississippi, new SEC rival Missouri( which puts them behind 6 SEC teams. As well as TCU, and Northern Illinois, yes Northern Illinois. They were the highest ranked ACC team at 24.

so again, not that upset with the wisconsin and michigan state jump over us.

You're probably correct. Writers elsewhere have been known to swallow their self-respect and vote the home team higher than they deserve in order to avoid bruising the fragile sensibilities of the local fans. It's the duty of every sportswriter.

Now is the winter of our discontent

I would be much more concerned about why/how clemson was picked #5 by one national poll.

It is only a matter of time as it is a dying industry, sadly. Some have commented about a "homer" rating and that is missing the point. A homer rating would have had us much better than what the rest of the country thinks. I would expect the hometown newspaper to have us at least as good as the consensus, but The State rag has always taken a negative approach to all things USC, which makes no sense from a marketing perspective. Cancelled my subscription years ago.