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Ninth-ranked Clemson fell mightily on Saturday to Alabama 34-10 before a packed Georgia Dome.

This excerpt from The State pretty well sums it up:
It was a heaping appetizer of humble pie for a team hoping to use the stage as a springboard to a breakthrough season under Bowden.

Indeed, Head Coach Tommy Bowden said "We got whipped about every way you can get whipped. We haven't been physically beaten that bad in 3 years."

The only glimmer oh hope seemed to be C.J. Spiller's kickoff return at the start of the second half that he returned for a 96-yard touchdown.

It's worth remembering that Virginia Tech suffered a devastating start last year before rising up to claim the ACC title, but that loss was against No. 2 LSU.

Both The Post and Courier and The State have coverage, but I generally preferred The State's. Plus they have a photo gallery, and a bunch of links to related coverage.

Clemson's next game is home against The Citadel at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Septmber 6. TV coverage is to be on ESPN 360.