Tigers in the elephant graveyard ... Gee-Haw'd is satisfied

Jan 8, 2019, 6:14 PM

There are moments in our short, shallow lives that transcend all that we will ever be as individuals.

Last night, roughly halfway through the third quarter of what would become a seismic shift in the landscape of college football, the Clemson Family joyously careened through one.

When Alabama ... Ala-Freakin'-BAMA ... is already down by two scores and had to try to convert some sort of lumbering Land-Before-Time dino-fake field goal to keep a drive alive, you knew. Somehwere, in your heart if not your head, you just KNEW.

Things were different.
Things had changed.
Clemson was king.

We, the faithful, the True Sons of Clemson had suspected all along. But in many, there remains a small pocket, a crusted over scab or scar of doubt. Sure we could do this. We could . But would we? Was it destiny or dream to stand alone as the only unbeaten?

The answer came midway in the third quarter. Not on A.J. Terrell's slash-and-score that came before the Tide faithful had been able to work out a decent rammer-jammer or two. It didn't come on the arm or Trevor Lawrence or the grinding ground game or the X-Box antics of our receivers. All of this was going to be needed to beat mighty Bama.

Saban offers Mack Jones out as a snack for Nyles Pinckney

When Saban sent Mack Jones out on that fool's errand, he knew what the rest of the college football world was beginning to realize. There was no way Alabama was going to win. Why else even try a fake that was going to leave you two scores short anyway? Why not go for it? Why not?

Because it wasn't going to happen. After that, surrender cobras came slithering out all over the Bama side of the field, and about 90 seconds later, Lawrence and Justyn Ross kicked open the door to delirium for the Clemson faithful. If you didn't know it before, you knew it then.

Things felt different. The sun was shining at midnight.

Honestly, after that it was all wishing for the clock to hurry and wishing for the night to never end. No one expected 44-16, but no one would have minded seeing half-a-hundred lobbed on the battered elephants, would they?

Most folks who know Gee-Haw'd know it's origin. Spawned in the depths of despair and mockery more than 13 years ago in a loss to Wake Forest ... yep, li'l old Wake Forest ... it burned a bitter flame to consume those who wrongly stood between Clemson and our righteous place atop the summit of football. It was an angry, vengeful spirit spilling from the hills. Our plows have hung heavy with with blood and entrails of the impure and we have bleached the bones of the pretenders and the profane to fertilize next year's crops.

The level of domination, of Saban soul-crushing involved, would invoke pity if we were talking about anyone but Bama. But we are, so let's just say it was extremely satisfying. I'm d@mn proud of every young man who has put aside self and put on the orange to make this happen. You have out-gutted and out-gritted everyone.

No "yeah but it was an illegal pick play" or "The refs gave you that game." Nobody gave Clemson anything ... not the game, not a chance, certainly not the crown. Yet, as Dabo said, "Here we are."

Now, there are none left. Tigers in the elephant graveyard at 15-0, the only team left unblemished. We stand alone, victorious.
Vindicated. Are there any left who say we are not where we should be?

Didn't think so.

Well done, Tigers!