It isn’t supposed to look like this.
I’ve seen what “number one” looks like. I’ve seen it in person. I’ve felt all the things “number one” is supposed to make you feel—fear, respect, honor, reverence—and seen the personification of greatness.
In 1999, Bowden Bowl I—still the craziest day I’ve ever experienced as a sports fan—featured top-ranked Florida State. The Seminoles were deep and talented and quick and fast and strong, and they were facing a Clemson team that was “kind of” all of those things. The Tigers lost that game 17-14 playing the best game they could possibly have played.
That’s the only time I’ve ever seen “number one”. Last year in Tallahassee doesn’t count. “Number one” without its Heisman Trophy-wielding quarterback isn’t the same.
Growing up, I knew “number one” was reserved for college football’s blueblood programs. If the team atop the polls ever played in Death Valley, it had to be Florida State—the most feared and revered program in the country, or so it seemed.
One thing I knew for sure: “Number one” would never wear orange, purple, and white.
Clemson just wasn’t that program. Fast starts gave way to crushing defeats and deflating finishes. The year before Bowden Bowl I, the Tigers went 3-8. I remember feeling disappointed as a youngster, but I never really assumed we were being cheated out of potential greatness. I just assumed those seasons happened when you root for a program that wins about half of its games.
Fans older than me remember a different Clemson, one that feared no opponent and achieved at the highest levels of the country. Those are all fairy tales to me, but the stories are true. They happened. That Clemson existed.
Since taking over in 2008, Dabo Swinney has endeavored to bring Clemson back to those glory days. In his efforts, he has managed to do things that have never been done before.
He just added a rather large one to the list.
When Clemson stands atop the Hill and rubs Howard’s Rock on Saturday against Florida State, it will symbolize the Tigers standing atop the college football universe. It will be the first time in the 119-year history of Clemson football the Tigers will play a regular season game as “number one”.
Never has Memorial Stadium cheered for “number one”. Never has “number one” run down that Hill. Never have Clemson fans saluted “number one” singing the alma mater after a game at home.
Swinney will say it doesn’t matter. He will say phrases like “so irrelevant” to describe where the Tigers are in the College Football Playoff rankings. He will dwell on his team’s upcoming games and say winning the next one is the only thing that matters.
Of course, he’s right. Going 8-4 would make Clemson’s stay on top of the world brief and insignificant. Losing to Florida State would make that fall more painful for all involved.
It’s easy for all of us to get caught up in the inevitability of this season. It’s easy to gloss over “number one” as an honor that’s bestowed upon a team when it treats its opponents like Clemson has so far in 2015.
Heck, that’s what I’ve been doing for weeks now.
It goes much deeper than that, though, because “number one” isn’t who Clemson is. “Number one” is for other people. “Number one” is for other programs. Clemson isn’t good enough to get there.
Yesterday, that paradigm changed. That story was rewritten. That book added a new chapter.
Not only did the Tiger’s roar echo o’er the mountain height, it sounded first and echoed loudest across the entire college football universe. Clemson is now feared. Clemson is now respected. Clemson is now honored. Clemson is now revered.
What used to be for others, what used to be so untouchable, is now ours to hold in our hands. Yes, I’m saying that as a fan and alumnus, not as a writer or a radio guy.
If you have a ticket to Saturday’s game, you’re in luck. In the long and storied history of Clemson football, no Tiger fan has ever had the privilege to do what you will get to do—cheer for “number one” in Clemson.
When “number one” stands atop the Hill on Saturday, take a mental picture. You’ll want to remember it forever.
God Bless!
WQ