A Clemson Football Thanksgiving List: Things To Be Thankful For in 2009

That's right. We can all be thankful for Maryland. They handed the Tigers their worst loss of the season, but they also propelled Clemson into a bye week and the team never looked back. The Tigers caught fire, winning five in a row and scoring at least 38 points in all five games.

Thank goodness for Miami and Florida State. Clemson established themselves on the national scene in their games against FSU and Miami. The wins over the schools from the sunshine state gave Clemson football an air of legitimacy. Not to mention C.J. Spiller racked up over 300 all-purpose yards in both games.

Like it or not, for better or for worse, Tommy Bowden left a major mark on Clemson football. Whether you are of the belief that he wasted a decade of talent, or of the disposition that he left the school better than it was at the end of the Tommy West era, Bowden undoubtedly had some influence. Now that Clemson approaches an ACC title game appearance, many old wounds will likely be healed by an ACC championship. So, let's give thanks for Tommy Bowden because, one way or the other, Clemson football wouldn't be where it is without him.

From old to new and disappointment to success, Dabo Swinney deserves as much credit as anyone for Clemson's new ways. This year's team never had its meltdown that cost itself the Atlantic Division, and even when things got low at the beginning of the year, Swinney remained positive, enthusiastic, and kept us "All-In". Tiger fans owe much thanks to Dabo, especially once the ACC crown returns to Clemson.

Kyle Parker could have been a complete disaster. He could have been a very sub-par quarterback and this season could have gone into the books as a wasted year. Yet, he wasn't. Parker has shown poise and promise. His development over the course of this season has opened up the offense and helped turn it into a scoring machine. Thankfully, Kyle Parker is breaking freshman quarterback records left and right, and the Clemson offense is reaping the benefits.

It's hard to talk about how thankful Clemson fans are for C.J. Spiller without bringing a tear to my eye. Spiller has developed into a Heisman candidate, a leader of the team, a role model off the field, and possibly the greatest Clemson football player ever. Fans have shown their love by positioning him first in Nissan's Heisman Fan vote by a comfortable 14,000 vote lead. Be thankful for C.J. while he's still a Tiger, because his likes may never grace Death Valley again.

Without Clemson fans, none of this would really matter. Death Valley is one of the most difficult places to play in the entire country thanks to the fan base. Clemson boasts an SEC caliber fan base in the midst of the ACC and it shows. Against Florida State, you could tangibly feel the Clemson players feeding off the energy of the crowd. When nearly 80,000 Clemson fans sang "We Will Rock You," the stadium itself shook and I knew the game was over. No one can face the full energy of Death Valley in the 4th quarter. So, finally, let's be thankful this Thanksgiving for the Clemson family of fans, students, and alumni that cheer the Tigers to victory ever Saturday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Go Tigers!