The truth is, how much “Team X” is over or under hyped usually depends on where you live and what media you pay attention to. So this could be total rubbish, or it could have a kernel of truth, but it feels like we’re all sleeping on Clemson.
There may be no more impressive resume in the country than that of the Clemson Tigers, who’ve scurried around various top 25’s in a myriad of places since pretty much being a unanimous number two to start.
This past weekend, they clipped Florida State for their third win this season over a top 15 team, two of which came on the road (Auburn).
Yet somehow, it feels like the Tigers are being overlooked by the behemoth that is Alabama and their “lawnmower to grass” defense and resurgent Michigan and Washington.
Granted, none of it matters. Perception in college football is still reality, but only such reality that exists outside of the built-in advantage of winning your conference. Which, by the way, that’s the right call.
The winners of the ACC, Big Ten, Pac 12, and SEC probably have a one-game cushion on getting in the playoff now that the Big 12 has ostensibly bowed out and there are no mid majors that are going to make the conversation different. Sorry, Western Michigan.
That said, how is it that a team that played for the title last year seems to be overlooked? It’s anyone’s guess, but Clemson would be wise to use it.
The Tigers appear in the top 15 nationally in no significant categories other than team sacks. All-everything quarterback (for three years now) Deshaun Watson has been overtaken in hype by Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.
But the Tigers keep on chugging, regardless of what anyone really recognizes. They have that special gift about them where, whether it’s special or not, they just find ways to win.
Flash back to the first week against Auburn, when we all thought much less of the Auburn version of the Tigers on a national level. There was Clemson, scuffling with what was assumed to be an also-ran from the SEC. Their defense led the way in a 19-13 victory that looks a whole lot more impressive now these days.
Then, they outlasted everyone’s flavor of the week in Louisville at home, as Clemson blew an 18-point lead and rode two Watson touchdown passes in the final seven minutes to claim a win that, to date, may be the biggest of this season thus far. At one point, Louisville was pegged by ESPN’s bizarre metrics as having an 89 percent chance of winning. Laugh, laugh, laugh.
Against top shelf Florida State in Clemson House of Horrors, Doak Campbell … Watson tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes left to Jordan Leggett and the Tigs held on for the win.
Folks, Clemson is that team that just knows how to win, no matter what you think of how they do it.
When the smoke clears this January, one team will stand alone. Alabama is a buzz saw. Michigan at times looks like one, too. Washington looks like they cannot be stopped on offense. Clemson? We’ve taken them for granted, but they look like they just win.
There may be no more redeeming of a quality. May we all start “Clemsoning,” as it were.
