Cheez It Bowl Difference

Clemson had a down year and went 10-3.   Clemson has won 2 National titles in the past 5 years.   Players want to go to Clemson and play for Dabo Swinney (Clemson Head Coach)  so they can win National Championships.   I expected that Clemson would have better talent because of this fact.   However Iowa State played them tight.   The score was 6-3 at halftime, and it was anybody's game at that point.   

There were 2 primary reasons Iowa State lost.   1.  Both teams had an interception.   But the Iowa State Interception was a pick 6, which resulted in a touchdown - The Key Difference.   Iowa State's interception we eventually turned over on downs.   2.  Clemson had 128 yards rushing and Iowa State had 66.  They nearly doubled us on the ground.   I would say we missed our All American Running Back Breece Hall just a touch in the game.   

All and All, I was looking to this game as a barometer of where the program stands.   Clemson has been a consistent BCS playoff team for the past 5 plus years.   We played they tight and hung with one of the very best programs in College football.   We should be proud, this is a better outcome than I expected.   Now it is next man up and on to next year.