NC State senior Mike Rose still sighs at the mere mention of last year's game against Clemson, a 41-0 thrashing that, for Rose at least, still feels like a fresh wound.
There were myriad explanations, from a battered team to young players getting their first taste of a hostile road environment to the immense hangover created by a near miss against Florida State the week before, but none of them lessen the sting.
"It was bad," Rose said. "Just bad."
A lot has changed since last season, however. Clemson is now the No. 3 team in the country, with sights set on a playoff berth.