Clemson's sudden success flips Palmetto State's football script

College football’s greatness is rooted in paradox.

Its traditions are unflinching and wonderful: Howard’s Rock. Auburn’s War Eagle. An afternoon in Ole Miss’ Grove with the finest sorority girls in America. Notre Dame’s Touchdown Jesus. Tennessee’s omnipresent Rocky Top.

Yet, as rooted as those traditions are, the game itself can change quickly. A new coordinator, a new look and new players, and a downtrodden team can go from the outhouse to the penthouse, taking control of its league and its state.

There might be no better example of this phenomenon than Clemson.

The Tigers have long held sway over the Palmetto State’s football fortunes, but 10 months ago, that status looked fragile.

South Carolina had just thumped Clemson 29-7, beating the Tigers in back-to-back years for the first time since 1970.

The Gamecocks were loaded. They had an exciting offense, led by mercurial quarterback Stephen Garcia, powerful tailback Marcus Lattimore and ultra-dangerous wideout Alshon Jeffery.

Now, look at them. This week, coach Steve Spurrier engaged in a public, petty spat with Ron Morris, a columnist for The State newspaper, and later the same day booted Garcia from the team after his final last chance expired. Compounding matters, Lattimore tore knee ligaments in Saturday’s 14-12 win at Mississippi State, ending his season.

South Carolina remains No.14 in the Associated Press top 25, but maintaining that status the rest of this year will be increasingly difficult, even with Jeffery and a stout defense.

Meanwhile, Clemson looks like a program transformed.

Dabo Swinney has gone from deflecting “hot seat” questions to deflecting queries about his team’s Bowl Championship Series ranking.

With Chad Morris’ hurry-up, no-huddle offense and the presence of one Sammy Watkins, the Tigers have rolled one defense after another.

They’re never out of a game.

An ugly two-plus quarters left them staring at a 35-17 deficit at Maryland Saturday night.

No matter. Following a shaky first half, quarterback Tajh Boyd was much better in the second half, spreading the ball around, but targeting Watkins for most of the big plays.

A 51-yard strike down the right sideline. A pair of athletic, impressive catches in the left corner of the Maryland end zone. He’s the nation’s best freshman and might be emerging as a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate.

And don’t forget Jaron Brown’s clutch catches or Andre Ellington’s 212 yards rushing with two scores, enhancing the ground game of an already powerful offense (Clemson now ranks 15th nationally in total offense).

The Tigers are 7-0. No.8 in both national polls. They have heart. And they’re the clear favorites to win the ACC.

Who could have imagined that 10 months ago?

Who could have imagined they’d have a chance of taking down the powerful Gamecocks in Columbia?

By the time Clemson rolls into Williams-Brice Stadium Thanksgiving weekend, they could be a decisive favorite.

That’s what makes college football – and rivalries like this – so enthralling.

Fans would be well advised to savor their team’s success, because it is too often pressurized and fleeting.

Clemson fans certainly need no such exhortation.