Clemson Football Preview - Luck

Aug 25th 2008 - Written by: Derek Chinners

Once you reach a certain point in your life, everything boils down to two simple things: Preparation & Opportunity.

At some point, in order to become a Champion you need several things to work in your favor, one of which is Luck. Luck is a key ingredient in the making of a legend, and Luck has purposely avoided the Clemson Tigers over the last few seasons.

Matt Ryan tossing up that pass at the end of the game last year is pure luck.

Perhaps Tom Brady would not be known as the best of the best had the ‘Tuck Rule’ fumble in 2001 been called differently.

Eli Manning evading a sure sack, spinning around, and literally throwing up a prayer only to be caught by a third team receiver (David Tyree) by pinning the ball against the side of his helmet on a critical third down in the fourth quarter of the biggest game on the planet, that is pure luck.

The Michael Hamlin interception in 2006 at Boston College to seal a crucial victory being overturned and called a reception, that is bad luck.

James Davis waltzing into the end zone virtually untouched against Maryland in 2006 to seal a victory and assure a spot in the Championship game… Oh, we’re sorry; ten men on the field sir… please try again. That is bad luck.

Aaron Kelly dropping the go-ahead touchdown against BC in 2007, that is bad luck.

For Clemson football and its fans, it appears that the old saying is true, “If not for bad luck, we’d have no luck at all”.

During the Tommy Bowden era, Clemson has been notoriously unlucky. We need that one year where everything goes our way. There’s no doubt, we are due.

People often speak of the intangibles, and this guy has that or the other. Once you reach a particular level of talent, cohesiveness, and execution (which I believe we have eclipsed here at Clemson), you need the most important factor of them all, Luck.

Luck is often determined by ‘Mindset’. For example, if you were to ask Jack Nicklaus, he would tell you he has never missed a four foot putt. This is simply his belief which aids in execution during moments of extreme pressure. He has truly bought into the idea, in his subconscious mind, that every four foot putt he sees is automatic.

This team needs to have the ‘Mindset’ that – the ball always bounces our way, we will always pull it out in the fourth quarter, nothing can stop us, We are Champions. For example, no matter what happens during the season, for better or worse, we always feel we will beat South Carolina, and we usually do.

The big fear is that this team has bought into the viewpoint of the media. Surely they have heard the naysayers crowing about how this team lacks toughness, they are underachievers, and they can’t get over the hump. They need to become indignant over this viewpoint and develop into a Championship team, bound and determined to prove everyone wrong. In essence, creating their own Championship identity.

Luck = Preparation + Opportunity. The 2008 Clemson Tigers have prepared diligently for this season, and they have the opportunity to make a historic championship run this year. Will they have luck on their side… finally?

If you would like to comment on this column then you can email Derek at chinners.derek@lycos.com.

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