ACC reality show just got better

CLEMSON -- Stock up on chips and dip and prepare for the Paradox Bowl, otherwise known as the 2009 ACC championship game.

It seems like Clemson's loss to South Carolina and Georgia Tech's loss to Georgia shook some luster off Saturday's game in Tampa.

Actually, those games only raised the stakes and made things much more interesting.

Winner still gets to go to the Orange Bowl, a trip that comes with plenty of rivalry sting medicine to go with South Beach and pink crustaceans.

Consider the carnage for the loser. One loss, fairly or not, will widely get connected to the other.

Dabo Swinney disagrees, but the head coach who guided Clemson to its first ACC title game is only half correct.

"When they crown the Super Bowl champion, they don't say, 'Well, they won the Super Bowl but, dadgumit, they lost to the Packers. They lost to their rival,' " Swinney said Tuesday.

It's an apples and Orange Bowl comparison as the NFL has a long playoff process prior to the big game. But if the Tigers win Saturday, and certainly if they win the Orange Bowl, it's a fitting analogy.

A loss in Tampa and the South Carolina loss will linger, linked by Clemson's failure to recover from a game in which it did not take a red zone snap while allowing 223 yards rushing.

Team goals

No. 12 Georgia Tech is teetering on a taller tumble than No. 25 Clemson.

One day the Yellow Jackets were 10-1 and mentioned as a team worthy of BCS at-large candidacy. A rough night against Georgia later, and Paul Johnson and Co. are scrambling for cover.

Remember that Georgia Tech players and coaches already were tired of hearing about almost losing to Clemson on Sept. 10 after blowing a 24-0 lead.

Swinney talked Tuesday at his weekly news conference about how difficult it is to win college football games these days. He's right. Ask Bobby Bowden and Charlie Weis.

Nagged by another South Carolina/Georgia question, he talked about what Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Stanford and BYU have in common: Losses this season to ACC teams.

Another good point.

As Swinney spoke, he was a screen pass away from a poster showing Clemson's official 2009 team goals.

1. Win the opener.

2. Win the Atlantic Division.

3. Win the state championship.

4. Win the ACC championship.

5. Win the bowl game.

Spurrier's advice

Well, the Tigers whipped Middle Tennessee to open the season and finished 6-2 in the ACC to leave no doubt about the Atlantic Division.

But now a win or loss in Tampa might be the difference between 2-3 in the team goal category and 4-1.

And more paradox stuff.

Steve Spurrier, of all people, has given Swinney comfort and perspective and hope.

The Head Ball Coach exchanged words with Swinney just after South Carolina's 34-17 victory over Clemson. Most of the words belonged to Spurrier and touched on his glory days at Florida.

"He told me, 'You know what? I lost to Florida State many times. But I'd turn around and go win the (Southeastern) conference the next week,' " Swinney said. "He said, 'That's what's important. You guys can do it. Good luck to you.' I thought that was very nice of him. Very encouraging."

Maybe it will make a positive difference for Clemson in an ACC championship game with stakes higher than they were last week.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5593.