CHARLOTTE– A golden, dazzled cuban link chain formed a frenetic narrative about a program that had officially arrived once again.
The chain was to created to provide Miami players an incentive outside of simply doing a job for the greater good.
The Tigers didn’t need any extra flash or motivation on Saturday night. They physically and schematically dominated a Hurricane team that prided itself on the powers of the chain. It was just another game for a team that’s looking more and more like a buzzsaw.
Clemson looked like they belonged from the moment they walked on the field, with Miami players howling at their entrance for warmups. It failed to phase the “attacking champs” as Dabo Swinney has dubbed his team.
Instead of playing to its gimmick of mojo, Miami fell flat on its face in back-to-back weeks.
Canes coach Mark Richt had this assessment of his team after the game:
“Well, congratulations to Clemson. They thoroughly whipped us. Their coaches did a great job. Players did a great job. Our guys fought, but, you know, obviously it didn’t go well at all. Early in the game they scored every time they touched it. We couldn’t get it going offensively really the entire game obviously.”
The turnover chain came out once, with Miami failing to capitalize on the supernatural bling. Miami had a chance to get on the board on its second drive after a Ray-Ray McCloud muffed punt, but booted a field goal sailed wide left. After that failed attempt, the game wasn’t close to being competitive.
Heck, South Carolina decided to settle for a field goal last week down 34-0 just to get some points on the scoreboard. Miami did the same with 3:29 left in the quarter, down 38-0. (Both) Fans booed them for that.
Clemson all the while is peaking at the right time. The Tigers capped off a third straight ACC title, with this one being the most dominant of the three. Not only was it the first conference three-peat in 29 years for the team, it’s also the first title without some guy named Deshaun Watson.
Here’s co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scot on the year long message within the program:
“Today, December 2nd, was exactly three months from the start of the season on September the second. We talked about the storylines going into the season regarding Clemson, regarding the ACC, and all the questions were about 78% of our production had left and how in the world are we going to be able to replace Deshaun Watson and those guys never really listened to that. Our message to them was to just be the best version of themselves. That’s going to be more than enough and I give those guys a lot of credit, they just go to work and even at the end of the season, we only had three offensive players voted in the top 22 of All-ACC players on offense but that’s just kind of been the storyline for whatever reason. I think Kelly (Bryant) for what he’s done this year definitely should’ve been in that group. That’s really who our guys are, just a common group doing things in an uncommon way and accomplishing uncommon feats.”
Bryant started the game 15-15, breaking Watson’s ACC title game record of 13 straight completions. Not that shabby for the first year starter who is now 12-1.
It was the eighth time all season the Tigers had scored a touchdown on the opening drive. They looked were laser-focused from the first snap putting a clinic on display in the opening 30 minutes of play.
It wasn’t all Bryant alone, with 11 receivers accounting for a whopping 254 yards, averaging 10.2 a catch. Dabo Swinney has a well-oiled machine humming right into December.
The Tiger defense moved with flow and swagger forcing three turnovers themselves. Malik Rosier hasn’t looked comfortable in weeks, and that didn’t change Saturday evening either.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Miami. Richt has recruited very well for a program that was failing to take advantage of the talent-rich 30-mile radius within and around Dade County and southern Florida. Priority number one later this offseason is to retain defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and land a stud quarterback. Miami should be a top-15 program in the years to come with Richt at the helm but for now in the ACC, it’ll be all orange.
Any ill-conceived notions that the Tigers were done for after losing the likes of Watson, Mike Williams, Wayne Gallman and other monsters turned out to be misguided.
Clemson isn’t going anywhere. They’ve now put themselves in three consecutive playoffs, positioning for a title repeat for the first time in five years. It’s officially a plug-in-play program, just like Alabama.
It’s pretty easy to say the Tigers had bigger things in mind than a silly turnover chain. Maybe something more to the tune of championships.