CLEMSON, S.C. -- The point of Brent Venables' meeting with the media last December was to tamp down the rivalry between Clemson and Oklahoma -- his current employer and his previous one -- before their matchup in the 2015 College Football Playoff. Venables touted his affection for Sooners coach Bob Stoops, hyped the talent on the Oklahoma roster and downplayed his departure from the school following the 2011 season.
No, Venables assured, there would be no extra motivation.
Then he remembered the steely gray grave marker planted just a dozen or so yards from where he was standing at the entrance to Clemson's practice facility.