SU gave Clemson the toughest game all year

[FrancoPizza]

That game against Clemson in defeat gave us a lot of media attention, positive PR all season, and continued last night as a couple of times it was mentioned how Clemson was on the brink, until rescued on that late 4th Q 94 yard drive and that crucial 4th and 6 conversion. All of that positive love has certainly done a lot for the program's current image.

However, that being said, there's no doubt Clemson was distracted all week by the QB drama, and it would be foolish to think it didn't have any affect. Dabo himself admitted to same in his interview after the game. They played a sloppy game, along with 4-5 turnovers, including one on a completely muffed punt by their returner early 4th Q where we scored our only TD in the 2nd half...an 8 yard drive punching it in on 4th and goal. Otherwise, we had been completely dominated in the 2nd half, and the total first downs for the game were like 28 for Clemson, 12 for us.

When you have a chance to beat the #1 team -- those are the breaks that have to fall your way. Call them excuses or whatnot, it's part of the game. How often does the #1 team lose when all factors even out? Probably never. We just need to keep this game close and let the Dome do the rest. ESPN and ADJW should be pulling out the stops for a Saturday night primetime tilt. It may be the best ACC matchup all year.

 

[orangecuse]

What was the distraction the prior season?

I'm not sure if they were distracted as much as just overlooking the game since we were a 24 point underdog, or something like that. We were coming off a 4-8 season, one in which Clemson destroyed us in the year prior 56-0. Heading into that game, we were 3-2, and had lost to Middle Tennessee in the Dome. Their QB was also injured coming in, and it was apparent due to his lack of mobility, etc. prior to being injured further and knocked out for the remainder of the game.

After that major upset, we did go on to lose ALL of our remaining games on the schedule. So, looking back, Clemson, in regards to your question, probably was pondering the same thing.

 

[orangecuse]

No matter how good you are there are going to be 'turning point' games like that each year. For Clemson it was the Syracuse game.

Indeed, and us the UNC game.