Clemson Football: 4 reasons Tigers simply can’t afford loss to Notre Dame

1. It gives the perception that there’s a ‘crack in the armor’

You and I both know that this program is set up to be successful for the long-term.

We all know that D.J. Uiagalelei, Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, E.J. Williams and plenty of others will be back next year. We all know that Clemson is still recruiting at an elite level. We all know that the coaching staff is building continuity and that Dabo Swinney has made this into a program that can legitimately compete year-in and year-out.

That being said, the perception- if Clemson loses this game and is left out of the CFB Playoff- is that there is a ‘crack in the armor.’

All of a sudden, we will have to face an offseason full of ‘hot takes’ talking about how the ‘Clemson dynasty is coming to a close before it ever really got started’ and how ‘the Tigers are returning to what they once were.’

We all know none of that is true, but it will be the message and narrative pushed by hundreds of national media. That hurts recruiting and that hurts the perception of this program.

A lot rests on this Clemson football team Saturday evening when it makes the trip to Charlotte and the truth of the matter is simple: The Tigers can’t afford to lose.