We are better because of you. Let me explain.
In the 1980s, Clemson was the class of the league. We won five ACC championships during the decade and are proud of our program's only national title in 1981. Things were going swimmingly. Then, you came along.
You spurned the SEC, who realllllly wanted you, and decided to join a league you felt you could dominate. You were right.
You didn't lose a conference football game until your fourth year and only lost two from 1992 through the year 2000. You won nine straight ACC titles, 12 of the first 14 you were a part of the league, and two national championships (1993 and '99).
You also woke a sleeping giant. You see, Clemson, we thought we were great. But we didn't know until you came along that we were far from being atop the college football food chain. We suffered in the 90s through three bowl-less seasons. We couldn't beat you. We lost every time.
57-0. 34-3. 48-0. 54-7. You planted your spear in our itty-bitty Tiger paws and then scalped us.
We didn't have trouble with ACC opponents. Heck, we've got 14 ACC championships. We had the most ACC titles in the history of the conference. Now all the sudden, you come to the league and we can't win a dang thing! You now own the conference record with 15 championships.
But like all good programs, we did something about it. We went out and hired your coach's son, Tommy Bowden. He stabilized the program and put us back on the map. He brought a new philosophy, one his father, Bobby Bowden, brought with him to FSU.
Things plateaued with Tommy 10 years into his Tiger coaching career, but the molding of a powerhouse had taken place. Bowden visualized brand new facilities at Clemson. The athletic administration put on their hard hats and went to work. Then, Bowden and his staff knew if they were going to beat Florida State on the field, they had to beat them on the recruiting trail. Or at least try to take something away from the Noles.
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| Dabo Swinney, right, and Jimbo Fisher have Clemson and FSU at the top of the ACC. (Photo courtesy AP/Richard Shiro) |
Enter Dabo Swinney. Young, charismatic, charming, passionate, confident. As a receivers coach under Tommy Bowden, Swinney wanted speed. He wanted playmakers. He wanted ... CJ Spiller. No way the fastest guy in the state of Florida would leave his home. No way would he head north to sleepy ole Clemson, South Carolina. He was destined for Florida, FSU, or Miami.
Dabo didn't care. Dabo recruited the heck out of him. And Dabo got him. Then, he got Jacoby Ford to wear orange and purple. Then, Sammy Watkins donned the Paw, not the Spear.
Now, Clemson's 85-man roster has 15 Sunshine State natives on it. You already know No. 8, or at least his backside. Deon Cain's blinding speed left your defensive backs in the dust on a 38-yard score Saturday. Artavis Scott leads the Tigers receiving corps. Tight end Jordan Leggett had over 100 yards receiving against you. Mackenzie Alexander, Travis Blanks and Jayron Kearse anchor one of the best defenses in the country the last two years. Another freshman playmaker, Ray-Ray McCloud hails from your backyard.
This is not to say your time is done, Seminoles. We know you're going to be there. You're a college football blue blood. But just as Alabama has LSU, Texas has Oklahoma, Florida has Georgia ... You now have Clemson to deal with. On the recruiting trail. On the field. In the polls.
Yes. Clemson is back. For the first time since 1981, we are No. 1. We have momentum and we are picking up steam.
So thank you, Florida State. Thank you for making us realize who we were and who we could be. If not for you, we might have got caught in the past thinking we were great, when in reality we were good. You showed us what greatness was really all about.
Now, it's our turn. As Dabo said, "The best is yet to come."
-BtW
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