This morning is no different, and possibly even worse. Yesterday, we watched the worst defeat that a Clemson team has taken during the Dabo Swinney tour of duty. Yesterday's loss was not to a good football team (although it was to a team that wanted it much more than we did). It was a loss to a team that exposed us for who we really are. This Clemson team has been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes since the Auburn game when they were able to start sneaking up on people and out-tricking them. Well, the bag of tricks has finally run out. When it came time to man up, and play some smack-you-in-the-mouth football, our team was the one reeling in the dirt. Anyone who knows anything about winning a fight knows that you don't let up when the other guy goes down. You keep hitting him till he doesn't try to get up again. That's what NC State did to Clemson last night.
The question now, is whether this will finally serve as a wake-up call to our players. Coach Morris explained it well when he said that this team has lost its hunger. No better place or time to regain that hunger than after a smack-down by an inferior opponent and a chance to prove something against your HATED rival in Columbia. We all know they are crowing and enjoying yesterday's embarrassment that we are suffering. And no doubt, we as fans should prepare for getting our tails drug through the mud next week if this team(our Oline in particular) continues to play like a bunch of middle school girls. But this is not a good team we are going to face next week. This is a team that struggles offensively and is prone to giving up the big play on defense. The key is to see if this offensive line finds their manhood in practice this week. This is the same offensive line that protected Tajh against defensive fronts such as FSU, VT, & UNC. These were much tougher defensive lines than the ones we faced over the past three weeks, or the one we face next week.
Last night's loss was frustrating and I, along with countless thousands of other die-hard fans, sat in front of my TV and watched in disbelief. The anger and helplessness is something that we all face. Half the little boys in South Carolina grow up with dreams of playing in Death Valley. Unfortunately, heart is not enough to win games, because if so, Clemson would win a National Championship every season. Almost all realize that this is just a dream, but the love never dies. The anger kicks in while watching the players who laugh on the sidelines while getting beat down, because to them it is just another game.
The key is toughness and swagger. Regaining these attributes are the first steps towards becoming the team we were before GT. With Sammy Watkins returning next week, we get some of these attributes back. The freshman seems to instill a winning attitude and his toughness is unquestionable. There is no better weapon than speed and Watkins presents major problems for the USC secondary. There is also the revenge factor. This team has played well against teams that beat them last season, and this is an opportunity to get revenge for the worst stomping we took not only all of last year, but also in Death Valley. This Clemson team was once a top 5 team this season. There is no question that this team is better than the Gamecocks. The question is... Who wants it more?
But have heart Clemson Nation. Next Saturday will come with our bellies full of turkey and a brand new chance to redeem ourselves. There is no excuse for the way this team represented us yesterday, but we should also remember that no one expected us to win 9 games, let alone a chance at ten. We are still Atlantic Division Champions and we are still The Clemson Tigers. So shake it off, drink your coffee, and encourage our players and coaches to beat the Lamecocks for us down in Columbia. What better venue to get that 10th win and get rid of... "The Hangover."
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