Making SC Stronger: Positives all around for Clemson

▪ Finish the regular season ranked No. 1. Check

When the first College Football Playoff ranking of 2015 was released on Nov. 3, Clemson sat atop the field. The Tigers beat Florida State the following Saturday and didn’t give up the top spot.

▪ Win the ACC Championship. Check

After Clemson’s 45-37 win against North Carolina, the second ACC title of the Dabo Swinney era was celebrated as confetti flew and a trophy was hoisted.

▪ Finish as the nation’s only undefeated (13-0) team entering the College Football Playoffs. Check.

Since Clemson went 12-0 in 1981, only 32 FBS teams have posted a perfect record. Since 2000, no team did it in 2003, 2007, 2011 or 2014.

▪ Have a consensus star. Check.

Deshaun Watson became the first Tiger to be named a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third. He won the Davey O’Brien Award, given to nation’s top QB, and was a consensus All-American.

▪ Beat Oklahoma in the CFP semifinals and advance to the National Championship game on Jan. 11. Check.

Watson and Wayne Gallman led a rushing attack that had more than 300 yards against the Sooners.

▪ Win the national title. We’ll find out on Jan. 11.

It wouldn’t come as much of a shock to Swinney. “We went into the season expecting to win all the games. And we’ve had a little luck, too.”

Rick Millians