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Clemson Football: 5 reasons the nation loves to hate the Tigers

By Andrew Boardwine

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with the trophy in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with the trophy in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers holds the ACC Championship trophy after as win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clemson won 42-10. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers holds the ACC Championship trophy after as win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clemson won 42-10. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

5. Tigers play in the ACC

The ACC is always going to be hated when it comes to football. Even in 2015 when the conference was the best in every single statistical category, many looked down upon the ACC.

With programs like Clemson, Louisville, Florida State, NC State, Virginia Tech and Miami all vying for top-25 spots, the ACC was the deepest conference in the nation that season, but that still didn’t change the perception.

The perception across the nation is that the ACC year-in and year-out is an easier path to the CFB Playoff than conferences like the SEC, Big Ten or Big 12. This point has been amplified over the course of the last two seasons in which Clemson football has absolutely dominated the ACC.

There used to be a perception that the Tigers wouldn’t be prepared for postseason play because of their weak ACC schedule. Now, the excuse is that Clemson doesn’t have to play anybody, so they get to rest and remain healthy for the playoff.

Either way, one of the major knocks for Clemson football is the fact that the Tigers play in the ACC and people love to hate on them for that simple fact.

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