How Far Have The Tigers Really Fallen?

            I realize that when Clemson fans read an article about this season in terms of anything other than a failure, they might get mad. That’s understandable considering Clemson’s lofty expectations at the beginning of the season, and even the faint whispers of a national championship contender. Let’s take a minute, though, to consider what has gone well this season.

           During ten years as head coach, Tommy Bowden did some good things for the Clemson football program. Forward progress was clearly made from the days of Tommy West, but Bowden had gone as far as he could. He couldn’t get Clemson over the hump and left the preseason #9 team with a .500 record. There is now a bright optimism in the hearts of the Clemson faithful not felt for a long time as a result of Bowden’s departure.

           Following some surprising ACC games the last few weeks, and Clemson’s recent win over Boston College, a path to the Atlantic Division title has reappeared for the Tigers. Before you laugh and write off this season and this article as a joke, consider the following:

1.      Florida State won the Atlantic Division three years ago in the first year of the ACC’s divisional system. They did it with three conference losses.

2.      With Clemson’s win over BC, they take the tie-breaker head to head with Boston College. As a result, the Tigers move into fourth in the division.

3.      IF Clemson wins at Florida State next weekend, the Tigers would leapfrog the Seminoles into third place in the Atlantic Division.

4.      IF Clemson then wins against Duke at home and at Virginia, they will be guaranteed a third place finish in the conference. Clemson is in charge of its own destiny only as far as third in the division, but there are ways Clemson could move up the ladder.

5.      IF Maryland losses 3 of its final 4 conference games against Virginia Tech, UNC, Florida State, and Boston College, Clemson would move ahead of the Terrapins.

6.      Finally, IF Wake Forest losses 2 of its final 3 conference games against Virginia, NC State, and Boston College, the Tiger’s would take over the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Certainly, after Clemson’s impressive showing against BC, I think Dabo Swinney can focus this team and lead them to three more conference wins. Numbers two through five seem very plausible – even likely – to me. If I were a betting man, I would pick Clemson to finish 2^ndin the Atlantic Division. However, with a little luck in the form of a couple Wake Forest losses, Clemson COULD STILL WIN THE DIVISION AND PLAY FOR AN ACC TITLE?!?!!??

It does seem laughable at a distance, and the last thing many Clemson fans want to do is get their hopes up again, but the Tigers aren’t down and out yet. Watch out for Clemson, we haven’t fallen as far as you may think.