Editorial/Opinion
By Neil Burnett
Let’s get in the wayback machine and go back to 2016. Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers were 6-0 with the Wolfpack of NC State coming to town. Clemson was a big favorite to win the game. Nothing seemed to go right that day. Watson completed 39 out of 52 passes for 378 yards. Clemson had 4 turnovers. Thanks to a missed FG with time running out, Clemson went to overtime, scored on a Watson TD pass, and then the Clemson defense got an interception in the endzone to win. Here is the kicker; no one went home happy that day. NC State fans were upset their kicker missed a chip shot, then lost in overtime. Clemson fans walked away feeling that they were lucky and almost lost. Walking back to the car, no one seems happy.
Roll forward to the Syracuse game in 2018. Clemson rolling along, and as everyone knows, Trevor Lawrence was knocked out in the 2nd quarter, and Chase Brice took over, leading Clemson to a come from behind win. Once again, Clemson fans not happy because they almost lost, and Syracus fans are unhappy because they almost won but couldn’t pull it out.
On Saturday, the same scenario happened. UNC scores with 1:14 left on the clock to make the score 21-20. A two point conversion would have given them the lead. Mack Brown made the right move but the play he called didn’t work. Sam Howell was not getting in the endzone on that two point conversion. Clemson played like a team lacking focus somewhat. UNC stuffed the running game most of the day, but the offense’s biggest enemy were procedure calls and false starts. SIX penalties hurt the offense. Did I mention the fanbases as the final seconds ticked off? UNC fans were unhappy they didn’t pull off the upset and Clemson fans were all breathing a sigh of relief and was not happy that they almost lost.
Are we seeing a pattern here folks….?
Finally, the bye week and Coach Swinney has said many times before “We will look at the film, and there are a lot of teachable moments.” Dabo and staff will be working hard to work on these “moments”. Florida State is up next and will be interesting to see how the Tigers perform on October 13th. Clemson dropped in the polls and to listen to ESPN announcers and other media outlets to try and convince everyone Clemson is overrated. Again just look at years past and keep calm. Clemson has a history and history usually is always right.
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