Jim Brown? Clemson players didn’t know who ex-Syracuse star is

This is Clemson’s second appearance on a Sports Illustrated cover, following Perry Tuttle as part of the Tigers’ 1982 Orange Bowl team that beat Nebraska to seal Clemson’s 1981 national championship.

Watson also faces the distraction of a rising Heisman Trophy profile. It’s all good, it’s a great honor.

For a half last week, Watson was ordinary, missing open receivers and making a mistake when he spiked the ball on third down near the end zone in the final minute, forcing Clemson to settle for a field goal.

“I enjoy it, of course”, Watson said. Saturday I made that mistake on the spike. Why do I say it’s a tough game? “We knew we had the better team”. The week after Florida State will always be unsafe for Clemson, especially after it clinched the division.

Co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott understands too well the pitfalls of losing focus. “You can’t abandon the plan”. It’s hard to get to this point in the season and be 9-0 and do the things we’ve done.

Last season, the Tigers let games slip away late against Notre Dame, Louisville, and NC State that could have very well decided their season.

For many Clemson teammates, the latter Jim Brown is the only one they know.

After Week 10 saw four undefeated teams lose, how does the Heisman chase shake out after Derrick Henry and Deshaun Watson looked great and Trevone Boykin and Leonard Fournette looked human? Scott is the star on the outside, but rookie WR Deon Cain is coming on strong and TE Jordan Leggett has caught six touchdown passes. “I embrace the position that we’re in and we celebrate what we’ve worked for”. “We just have to go back to work and keep doing what we’re doing”.

After a 23-13 record and a trip to the NIT Semis two seasons ago, expectations were high entering last season for the Clemson Tigers. This year, the Tigers play two intriguing games against Minnesota, Georgia, Alabama, and SC in the non-conference slate, but don’t be mistaken, the season will be won and lost in ACC play.