A few days ago, TCI posted a roundtable discussion about whether this was the biggest game at Clemson in its history or not. The responses varied, and much of the difference was based upon the criteria each person used.

For me, there are different categories of games. This one falls into a group of nonconference clashes that matter on a national level. The previous Notre Dame meeting and most of the Georgia games would be in this group. I would exclude South Carolina, since the annual meeting with the Gamecocks has an entirely different set of stakes all its own.

This clash with Notre Dame is huge. Ticket sales—both primary and secondary—would indicate that. National buzz would indicate that. The teams’ respective rankings would indicate that.

Many people have tried to compare this matchup with Notre Dame to the one with Florida State back in 2013. That comparison seems to be a bit of a stretch because of the tangible stakes associated with that game. The Atlantic Division was on the line. A national title berth was on the line. The winner had something, and the loser had nothing.

This is exactly why division and conference games have to be viewed differently. In this particular game, the only thing on the line for either side is a seat at the table. Even the loser in this game still has a decent shot to make the College Football Playoff, but there is plenty of football left to be played after this weekend.

Because of this, I don’t think any non-conference game played at Death Valley can be the “biggest” game ever, unless there are legitimate fates tied directly to the outcome. Boston College in 2007, Florida State in 2013, even Wake Forest in 2011—those games played in Death Valley meant the winner walked away with something, at least in Clemson’s case. It’s hard to put this game ahead of that one.

A better comparison would be the 2013 game against Georgia. College Gameday was in town for the first time in seven years and just the second time ever. There was an entire offseason of buildup. Plus, the two teams hadn’t played in a decade, so there was the anticipation of a renewed rivalry.

Obviously there isn’t a rivalry component to this meeting with Notre Dame, but scarcity has created a similar sense of anticipation, whether you were around for the 1977 Fighting Irish trip down to Clemson or not. Much like that matchup against the Bulldogs, the eyes of the nation are squarely on this one (and in Athens for Alabama-Georgia, too). Both teams are nationally relevant, as well, so the landscape figures to look different in the aftermath.

That’s why this game is the biggest nonconference, non-South Carolina game ever. The nation won’t look the same afterwards, even if the damage is relatively minor for the loser. Rarely has that been the case when football is played at Clemson in October.

God Bless!

WQ