Clemson - What's next?

ATLANTA - For Clemson, it's time to recover.

Considered the best team in the Atlantic Coast Conference with expectations of a national championship run, the Tigers were humbled by No. 24 Alabama 34-10 on Saturday night and rode home from Georgia searching for answers.

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden signed a rich, new contract in the offseason, largely because university leaders saw the Tigers closing in on the big time. But midway through the fourth quarter, most of the orangeclad

Tiger fans had left the Georgia Dome with a disappointment they've felt several

times during Bowden's 10 seasons.

The coach was surprised how easily Alabama dominated Clemson's offensive and defensive lines¿ the Tigers managed zero rushing yards compared to the Tide's 239. Still, there's much left for Clemson to achieve and it's Bowden's job to remind his players.

"Let's see how we do at the end of the year," Bowden said Sunday. "We played one game, and it was a big game. We got a few big games left."

Perhaps none, though, could define the 2008 Tigers as much as this one. Beat all the Dukes, North Carolina States and Citadels you want and it won't wash out the bad taste left from Alabama.

The Tigers have a history of losing in the biggest spots under Bowden. A win over a middle-of-the-pack Maryland in 2006 or Georgia Tech last fall would've put Clemson in the ACC's title game.

Finally, though, Clemson seemed ready to break through this season.