2014 Clemson Tigers...national champs??

Jul 20, 2015, 8:47 AM

Was reflecting back on last season and couldn't help but feel a sting of pain when thinking of what could have been. Sure, it was a great year with some signature moments...DW's emergence, beating Skerlina, the bowl game....but I can't help but feel like we were capable of so much more.

We had the best defense in the country last year, and one of the best anywhere in recent memory. We had an abundance of talented skill players on offense yet again. We had a phenomenal QB as good as anybody in the country. So what gives??

Despite all the success we had, I think that fate worked against us for the most part...

1. I've said before that starting Stoudt against UGA was absolutely the right call. But after 1 throw from DW, it was clear who the better QB was. Our D held up great until the 4th quarter, whose collapse was inevitable considering the offense couldn't stay on the field for more than 1 set of downs. With a few more 1st downs and a score or two, I think we would have won that game, or at least made it close until the end.

2. Fortunately, the coaches realized this by game 3 and DW got his chance to carry the team. And wow, what a performance. Watson's showing at FSU might have been remembered as the greatest performance by a true freshman QB of all time had we been able to pull off the upset. Thinking about JUST how close we were still makes me sick...

a. Stoudt underthrowing Leggett for TD early
b. Lakip missed FG
c. Lakip missed second FG
d. Seckinger being half a yard short of goal-line on
pass from DW
(immediately followed by)
e. Davidson being in on goal-line, but no review
(Immediately followed by)
f. Snap over DW's head
g. Alexander's lone blunder, falling while Greene scores
h. Davidson fumble
i. 4th and inches in OT

If one, JUST ONE of these things go our way, we would have come out on top that night. The fact that we didn't get any credit or respect from that game still irks me.

3. Watson injury, pt. 1. Had the defense not bailed us out, we could have potentially lost to Louisville, Syracuse, or even Wake. Luckily that wasn't the case as miracle plays at opportune times saved our butts (Humphries punt return, defensive TD, Kearse miracle tackle, Anthony INT vs Syracuse...)

4. Watson injury, part 2. No way in hail we lose to GT with a healthy Watson. We were on the verge of running them out of their own building. What's crazy is, after no offense and 3 horrible turnovers, we STILL could have potentially come back from behind.

I guess this is what coaches and writers mean when they say, "the ball has to bounce your way sometimes." I think we might have missed a great opportunity for a playoff season last year. Despite the setbacks, it's amazing to think we still won 10 games and had a very successful season. Truly a testament to where Dabo has brought us in recent years...we could have very easily folded and gone 7-6!

Looking forward to the many more playoff opportunities in our near future...it's a good time to be a Tiger! Enjoy the ride