Clemson football’s incredible journey to becoming Alabama’s equal

December 5, 2009

In order to make the playoff these days, a good start is winning the conference. Clemson had come a game short of making the ACC Championship two years earlier when Cullen Harper took a late sack against Boston College and allowed the Matt Ryan led Eagles to win in Death Valley, the Eagles would go on to lose to a Virginia Tech team with a defense anchored by Kam Chancellor, Brandon Flowers, and Cam Martin.

On December 5, 2009, The Tigers would find themselves in contention for their first ACC Championship since 1991 in a rematch against Georgia Tech.

Tech won the first matchup 30-27 at home and found a way to defeat the Tigers the second go around 39-34 behind big games from Jonathan Dwyer and Joshua Nesbitt who combined for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

Even though the Tigers didn’t win the ACC title that season, they finally made the championship game. Getting to the big game was half the battle and Dabo-led Clemson into the big game for the first time since 1991. Even though they wouldn’t take the title home for another two seasons, they finally acknowledged that they were talented enough to get there.