The Clemson Tigers are not close to being the wealthiest program in the nation, but so what? The Tigers provided a blueprint for how universities with less money than Alabama can climb to the top. Clemson became the first team to win a national football championship being ranked outside the top 20 in total athletic revenue since 2005. The Tigers were 39th in 2014-15 with $83.5 million, according to the USA Today financial database, yet the Tigers defeated two schools who have over $300 million in athletic revenue. Clemson won its first national championship in over 30 years
“It’s a testament to understanding it’s still about people,” Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said. “I think there’s still pockets of places in this country where if you get the right people at the right time doing the right things, you can be incredibly successful. I really believe that. Without that, let’s just look at USA Today and figure out who spends the money and those are going to be the ones that win.”
Part of the reason why it was a breath of fresh air to see Clemson defeat a dynasty is that Alabama’s dominance made College Football a little boring to watch. As offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt put it, the Tigers are “America’s Team.” It is usually very enjoyable to watch LeBron James or Tom Brady achieve success that lasts more than 3-5 years, but how long are dynasties really supposed to last?
While the upset shocked many, some saw the upset coming. Take Brandon Streeter, who started at quarterback in the late 1990’s. “I knew it was going to happen,” Streeter said. “It was just a matter of time.” He went on to say, “We talked to everybody about calming them down.” Clemson won the game more than Alabama lost. The tigers and crimson tide were in a back and forth game with both teams taking the lead but Clemson did not let the pressure get to them and keeping their composure was as big as the championship itself.
Clemson is not exactly a football powerhouse and coach Dabo Swinney did not see Clemson football as a serious title contender.“Eight years ago, I don’t think anybody saw us as a national championship contender,” said Swinney. This game brought some back to Super Bowl XLIX when the Seahawks should have run the ball with Marshawn Lynch at the goal line with less than a minute left in the game. Clemson had the correct strategy to defeat Alabama and that was the passing game.
Last week Ben Boulware told the Players Tribune that before the last drive, the Tigers sideline was “totally relaxed.” Furthermore, the team was not going to let close losses of previous years repeat itself again. He also said that the championship was not the end and believes that the football program can take it to the next level if there is a team willing to do so.
At least for the summer leading to the beginning of the College Football season, someone else besides Alabama should garner more national sports media attention. Lets hope what Clemson earned on the field translates into media coverage at least until early September. Breaking the college football monopoly at least for one season is making college football greater again.
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