Too close for comfort

We've documented Clemson's colossal struggles in close games over the years.

Most of the time, you'd expect to break even in close games. Over it entire history, Clemson is 176-173-45 in games decided by a touchdown or less. That's about right.

What's not about right is Clemson's close-game fortunes over the last several years. The Tigers have lost 19 of their last 26 games decided by a touchdown or less.

It's really been feast or close-game famine for this program during that stretch. Since the start of the 2005 season, Clemson has won 43 games overall. Thirty-two of those victories have come by double digits.

Over the same stretch, the Tigers have won 24 ACC games. Eighteen have come by double digits.

I haven't done the research, but I'd say there's a good bet that Clemson is near the top of the ACC when it comes to convincing victories over that period.

We already know the Tigers are near the bottom of the ACC when it comes to close games over that period.

From 2005 to the end of the 2009 season, Clemson was 9-17 in games decided by seven points or less, and 3-10 in games decided by three points or less.

Here's how the rest of the Atlantic Division fared in those games over the same stretch:

BOSTON COLLEGE
Three points or less: 8-5
Seven points or less: 19-9

FLORIDA STATE
Three points or less: 6-4
Seven points or less: 9-15

MARYLAND
Three points or less: 10-5
Seven points or less: 17-14

N.C. STATE
Three points or less: 3-5
Seven points or less: 14-15

WAKE FOREST
Three points or less: 6-8
Seven points or less: 14-13

Take a look at Georgia Tech's record in close games over that stretch:

Three points or less: 9-6
Seven points or less: 18-11

No mystery why the Jackets won 20 games and an ACC title in 2008 and 2009. Georgia Tech won 10 of 13 games decided by a touchdown or less those two years.

Interestingly, the Jackets' two losses this season (at Kansas and to N.C. State at home) were by three and seven points, respectively. They did win 24-20 at Wake Forest.

Taking a deeper look at Clemson's close-game difficulties, a lot of their problems have come inside Death Valley.

The Tigers have won just two of their last 10 games decided by a touchdown or less in their home confines:

2009: TCU, 14-10 L
2008: Georgia Tech, 21-17 L
2008: Maryland, 20-17 L
2007: Boston College, 20-17 L
2007: Florida State, 24-18 W
2006: South Carolina, 31-28 L
2006: N.C. State, 20-14 W
2006: Maryland, 13-12 L
2005: Boston College, 16-13 L (OT)
2005: Miami, 36-30 L (3 OT)

And here's what's really bizarre: Before the 2005 loss to Miami began this trend, Clemson had won eight of its previous 10 home games decided by a touchdown or less:

2005: Texas A&M, 25-24 W
2004: N.C. State, 26-20 W
2004: Maryland, 10-7 W
2004: Georgia Tech, 28-24 L
2004: Wake Forest, 37-30 W (2 OT)
2003: Virginia, 30-27 W
2002: South Carolina, 27-20 W
2002: Georgia Tech, 24-19 W
2001: Virginia, 26-24 L
2000: South Carolina, 16-14 W

So, how to reconcile this stark contrast? How to explain how the Tigers, who've had more talent in recent years, have a higher percentage of late-game failures -- particularly at a stadium that's supposed to give them an edge in close games?

I'm not sure you can explain it. But I'm open for suggestions.

That's it for today. No links. Y'all can get along fine without them, right?



LW