ShareThisBy GREG WALLACE
Monday, November 06, 2006
It all seems so strange, so out of place.
How can a team be tenth in the nation one week and fourth in its division the next?
That's the predicament Clemson finds itself in today.
A week ago, the Tigers were the toast of America, a dark horse BCS contender and national darling after a 31-7 home whipping of Georgia Tech.
Now, after Thursday's 24-7 mauling at Virginia Tech, they'll need serious help just to get a shot at Jacksonville and Dec. 2's ACC championship game.
In the Coastal Division, the Tigers' 4-2 league record would be a half game behind 4-1 Georgia Tech for the division lead.
But, in the Atlantic, it's fourth _ behind 3-1 Boston College, Wake Forest and Maryland.
Simply put, Clemson needs some help _ and some magic _ to have any shot at its first-ever BCS berth, the stated goal of this program from summer conditioning drills on.
It won't be easy. The Tigers control their fate against Maryland _ beat the Terps Saturday and N.C. State Nov. 11 and they own any tiebreaker there.
But, they also must hope Boston College loses twice against a mix of Wake Forest, Maryland, Duke and Miami, and the Demon Deacons lose somewhere along the line to Boston College, Florida State, Virginia Tech or Maryland.
Anything is possible, but expecting an Atlantic Division title is hardly a given.
Tommy Bowden admits as much, saying his team's destiny is "in someone else's hands."
The Tigers have no one to blame but themselves for their pitiful night in Blacksburg, but it was hardly surprising when taking the entire season in context.
Before the season, this column had pegged Clemson for a 10-2 record, with losses at Florida State and Virginia Tech.
I was a week late on the first loss, but was just about right on Thursday's debacle.
"Tech isn't its usual powerful self, but Clemson would have better luck with this game earlier in the season," I wrote. "Virginia Tech 21, Clemson 13."
Last week, such a prediction seemed preposterous, with the Hokies' recent struggles and Clemson's six-game winning streak factored in.
Afterwards, a Tiger loss makes sense: Clemson was tired from a five-day turnaround and an emotional blowout of Georgia Tech.
The Hokies were at home and had confidence from a blowout of Southern Miss five days earlier.
It doesn't excuse Clemson's flat performance, but it certainly explains it.
Now, Bowden's most important task will be getting his team to distance itself from a Hokie humbling and focus on a three-game, season-ending homestand against the Terps, Wolfpack and South Carolina.
No matter what happens elsewhere, the Tigers can still accomplish plenty this season.
A 10-win regular season remains within reach, which would rank as the best in Bowden's eight-year tenure.
Given the position Clemson found itself in a week ago, a Gator Bowl berth on New Year's Day could be seen as disappointing.
Given all the off-field distractions and the well-documented rash of injuries, it would be an excellent accomplishment.
