Sports Talk: Don't give up on Clemson yet

Clemson didn't play football this weekend. Of course, there are some Tigers fans who will tell you they didn't play the previous weekend against Maryland.

That surprise loss not only dropped Clemson's record to 2-3, it started a cascade of catcalls for Dabo Swinney's head. OK, maybe not his actual head, but his job.

But come on now, are 12 games over two seasons enough to judge a coach's worth? (USC fans will tell you that's a relevant sample size; just ask Richard Bell.) But it seems to me that Dabo's bell isn't ready to be rung. There are a lot of games to play, and given the ACC's weak lineup of teams, there are a lot of games to be won.

All right, Maryland was part of that weak lineup. You got me there. Still, this season may look different before it's all over, just like the top sports headlines do from week to week.

Take a look.

Tony Stewart takes on two tires instead of four to win Chase race in Kansas City. Hey, Starsky and Hutch spent four seasons driving on two tires in that Gran Torino.

Jay Haas charges past tentative Tom Watson to claim Senior Players Championship. Hey, when I get to be 60 like Watson, I just hope I can finish 18 holes of mini golf at Myrtle Beach.

USC football team moves to No. 25 in AP poll. At their rate of progression, the Gamecocks should move into the top 10 in March.

Slow start has FSU's Bobby Bowden on the hot seat. I thought the old fellow was probably sitting on one of those inflatable rings.

Neighbors say accused stalker of ESPN's Erin Andrews lived a quiet life. Have you ever known a neighbor to have a clue about the weirdo next door was doing?

Five NFL teams fall to 0-4. That's five teams that are actually worse than the Panthers.

Minnesota Twins stage final-month rally and win tiebreaker game with Detroit Tigers. Which means bitter Braves fans have to wait at least one more week until the Metrodome never will be used for baseball again.

Greg Norman and Chris Evert announce separation. Sounds like Chrissy jumped the Shark.

USC basketball coach Darrin Horn to host Ladies Clinic in November. Does this mean women's coach Dawn Staley will be hosting a Guys Clinic?

Brett Favre leads Vikings to revenge victory over Green Bay. It's almost enough to curdle the cheese on your head.

SEC states official erred on call for excessive celebration in Georgia game. Interestingly, the conference also came out and admitted it wished Mississippi State hadn't beaten Vanderbilt three weeks ago.

Byrnes drops from No. 2 to No. 3 in USA Today national poll after loss to country's top-ranked team from Florida. The Rebels hope to move back up by scoring 100 on a couple of instate schools.

Oliver Purnell calls current Clemson basketball team possibly his most talented. Psssst, Oliver, you might want to lower those expectations, just in case you start 2-3.

Cycling great Lance Armstrong signs deal to be spokesman for Michelob Ultra. Now I know why he made a wrong turn in the mountains during the last Tour de France.

Major League Baseball approves sale of Chicago Cubs for $845 million. The playoff tradition was thrown in for nothing.

Rush Limbaugh part of group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams. Guess you'll never see a black quarterback on this team.

USOC leader Stephanie Streeter forced out days after Chicago's failure to land 2016 Games. She's also being blamed for the Detroit Tigers' collapse.

Gator Bowl wants to end its ties with the ACC. It's worried about being stuck with a 2-10 Duke team.

NASCAR to standardize start times for 2010 season. I understand this decision was made after the low attendance and television ratings for the 3 a.m. start of the Old Spice ExxonMobil Lubricants Mars Petfood 400.

Presidents Cup golf pits U.S. team against International team this weekend. Yeah, I'll be riveted to that.

Cards' Matt Holliday drops final-out fly ball that allows Dodgers to win Game 2. The left fielder said he tripped over one of Manny Ramirez's discarded dreadlocks.

David Stern envisions NBA expansion into Europe. I'd have no problem with him giving the Charlotte Bobcats to Paris.

Kentucky lineman from Swansea tired of hearing about his hit on Tim Tebow. Hey, everybody's tired of hearing about that hit.

Golf, rugby reinstated as sports in the Olympic Games for 2016. I thought they were trying to make the Olympics more interesting to watch. Maybe they should combine golf and rugby into one sport.