On the Gramlich&MacLain show with fellow Clemson alum Kelly Gramlich, former Clemson standout and All-ACC offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain weighed in on the Tigers’ 28-14 win over rival South Carolina in Columbia on Nov. 29.
It was a sweet finish to a disappointing campaign for Clemson (7-5), the defending ACC champs who were picked to repeat. The Tigers had national title aspirations after entering this season ranked No. 4 in the country, but got off to a 3-5 start before rallying to end the regular season on a four-game winning streak.
“Great for Clemson,” Mac Lain said. “A team that had so much expectation on them, so much pressure, so much whatever, and it fell to the wayside quickly. Like, the sky fell really, really fast, and they never quit. And there’s something to that. And I don’t know – again, is this like the participation trophy award, here? Like, I don’t know what I’m giving out. But I don’t think a lot of programs today have this ability. I don’t think they’re able to do that. Again, does that matter, does anyone care? I don’t know. It’s worth saying, and it is something that’s tangible and real, and there’s also frustration built in that as well.”…