Difficult road lies ahead for Tigers to become bowl eligible

CLEMSON — In recent years, Clemson's football team has come up with all kinds of catchy slogans to outline its expectation of reaching the ACC title game.

With those hopes extinguished, the Tigers probably won't bother devising any mottos that reflect their dramatically downgraded expectations.

Destination D.C. (Congressional Bowl)? Boise or Bust (Humanitarian Bowl)?

Don't hold your breath.

Back in August, when this team was ranked No. 9 and considered the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC, the thought of landing in those bowls would've induced nausea. Now it would induce celebration.

Having lost three consecutive games, Clemson (3-4, 1-3 ACC) must win four of its last five to merely secure bowl eligibility. It's an astounding reality that perfectly illustrates just how much of a disappointment this season has been to date.

"I know a lot of our goals are out the window," said senior tailback James Davis. "Almost every goal is out the window. But me personally, I would love to go to a bowl game to end my season."

The Tigers received a much-needed weekend off after practicing two days last week. Most players went home and relaxed after a tumultuous period in which 10th-year head coach Tommy Bowden resigned under pressure.

The team returned to practice Monday knowing it has a difficult road if it wants to be bowl-eligible for the 10th straight season. This week, Clemson plays at Boston College (5-2, 2-2). Following that is a trip to No. 16 Florida State.

That sounds hard enough. And the two games that follow aren't the leisurely jaunts that might've been expected before the season.

Duke visits on Nov. 15, and the Blue Devils (4-3, 1-2) are closer to bowl eligibility than Clemson after last week's surprising win at Vanderbilt.

The Tigers travel to Virginia on Nov. 22, and the ascendant Cavaliers (5-3, 3-1) are atop the Coastal Division after wins over Maryland, East Carolina, then-No. 18 North Carolina and then-No. 21 Georgia Tech.

Then there's the finale at home against rival South Carolina. The Tigers' two games this season against Football Championship Subdivision teams (The Citadel and South Carolina State) mean seven wins are required for bowl eligibility.

"Everybody is playing well," Davis said. "We've definitely got to do everything it takes to win these games."

Said junior end Ricky Sapp: "I never thought we'd have to think that way about trying to get to a bowl game."

The Tigers say they still have hope, and that hope resides in the notion that interim coach Dabo Swinney has infused the team with spirit that was missing before and immediately after Bowden's departure.

"What I've been most impressed with this team is no one is pointing fingers," said junior center Thomas Austin.

But everyone on the outside is pointing fingers at the Tigers, who've become known as college football's biggest flop this year. They began it boasting their first Top 10 preseason ranking since 1991 but were summarily smashed 34-10 by Alabama in the opener.

They generated some good vibes by winning three straight games, but all that has washed away with losses to Maryland, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.

"This is where we're at," said junior tight end Michael Palmer. "This is reality. There's nothing we can do about it anymore."

Said Davis: "I'm not going to lie. This is a very discouraging season for me, and probably for a lot of other players on the team."

Worth noting

--Redshirt freshman quarterback Willy Korn said he had a good day of practice Monday and is certain he'll play against Boston College.

Korn suffered a bruised shoulder against Georgia Tech and was limited last week. He said he's made substantial progress since, paving the way for a dual-quarterback approach against the Eagles.

Fifth-year senior Cullen Harper has been named the starter for Boston College. Swinney said he's hoping to play both Saturday, and for the rest of the season

"They deserve to play, both of them," he said. "I want competition, and I think that's what we've got."

--Swinney said tailback C.J. Spiller, who's missed the past six quarters with a slightly torn hamstring, "bounced around real well" Monday. Quarterbacks coach Billy Napier said he anticipates Spiller will play Saturday.

-- Swinney was encouraged by what he saw from guard David Smith, who's missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain.

"He was a lot further along than I thought he'd be today," he said.

-- Defensive line coach Chris Rumph said tackle Rashaad Jackson will play Saturday, but he's not sure how much. Jackson has missed all seven games after suffering a knee injury during preseason camp.

-- ESPN/ABC declared a six-day option for two Nov. 8 games: Clemson at Florida State and Georgia Tech at North Carolina. A decision on game times and networks will be decided before noon Sunday, according to the ACC.