If there's one benefit to turning 50 next year, it's that age gives you some perspective. My 14-year old son acts like Clemson football is on life support, and that's because he only knows Clemson football since 2015. But for us that have been around longer, we've seen what down years really look like.
So I offer the following perspective:
Clemson Football 2021-2024:
40-13 Overall Record (.754%)
2 ACC Championships
2-2 Against S. Carolina
2-1 Bowl Record
Final AP Rankings: 14, 13, 20, 13 (currently)
Clemson Football 1987-1990:
40-8 Overall Record (.833%)
2 ACC Championships
3-1 Against S. Carolina
4-0 Bowl Record
Final AP Rankings: 12, 9, 12, 9
Clemson Football 1981-1984:
37-6-2 Overall Record (.822%)
1 ACC Championship (Probation)
3-1 Against S. Carolina
1-0 Bowl Record (Probation)
Final AP Rankings: 1, 8, 11, NR
My old-man, get off my lawn point - Prior to 2015, I think most of us would have considered those 2 runs in the 80's as the high-water mark of Clemson football. And I think the past 4 years are right in line, historically, with those two runs in the 80's.
Have we slipped from the magical period of 2015-2020? Sure! But the sky isn't falling. Historically, the past 4 years have been one of the best periods in Clemson football history.
So, like I tell my 14-year old, try to still enjoy it. It could be a lot worse (and if you lived through the Hatfield, West, and Bowden years, you know it!).
So I offer the following perspective:
Clemson Football 2021-2024:
40-13 Overall Record (.754%)
2 ACC Championships
2-2 Against S. Carolina
2-1 Bowl Record
Final AP Rankings: 14, 13, 20, 13 (currently)
Clemson Football 1987-1990:
40-8 Overall Record (.833%)
2 ACC Championships
3-1 Against S. Carolina
4-0 Bowl Record
Final AP Rankings: 12, 9, 12, 9
Clemson Football 1981-1984:
37-6-2 Overall Record (.822%)
1 ACC Championship (Probation)
3-1 Against S. Carolina
1-0 Bowl Record (Probation)
Final AP Rankings: 1, 8, 11, NR
My old-man, get off my lawn point - Prior to 2015, I think most of us would have considered those 2 runs in the 80's as the high-water mark of Clemson football. And I think the past 4 years are right in line, historically, with those two runs in the 80's.
Have we slipped from the magical period of 2015-2020? Sure! But the sky isn't falling. Historically, the past 4 years have been one of the best periods in Clemson football history.
So, like I tell my 14-year old, try to still enjoy it. It could be a lot worse (and if you lived through the Hatfield, West, and Bowden years, you know it!).
