PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — You really have to hand it to the Clemson Tigers. They have somehow managed to become the most respected disrespected team in college football history.
The reigning national champions are favored by 2 1/2 points against Ohio State Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl. They have won 28 consecutive games and earned a fifth straight College Football Playoff invitation. They have been in the top five of the AP poll for 39 consecutive rankings.
Much respect.
The Tigers choose not to acknowledge it.
“We’ll take our ROY bus,” safety Tanner Muse said last week.