January 11, 2016. Unarguably one of the worst days of 2016 for Clemson Football fans. We watched as our team lost to the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. It was devastating. We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we didn’t fully anticipate that outcome.

Walking through campus the following day was almost as if someone important had died. Usually, there is a liveliness in every student and staff member. January 12 was different. The silence was pretty unbearable. People were hugging and crying. No one really spoke in class. From an outsider’s perspective, I’m sure it probably looked odd, but that’s just how the Clemson Family works.

We fans felt the pain the players felt. We watched our Tigers dominate every game leading up to that championship game. We wanted it all, but maybe not enough.

This season is different. You can see it in the way they work. They’re stronger. More determined. These Clemson Tigers want it all. They want revenge. They want to hoist that National Championship trophy over their heads. They want to say that they won the rematch.

They want to not only beat Alabama, but all of the naysayers who have been talking poorly about Clemson for years. They showed us in the semifinals versus Ohio State when they didn’t even allow a single point. They want to redefine the term “Clemsoning.” They want this victory for themselves, their teammates, and their fans. They want it. I believe they want it more than they did last year.

This is our year. This is Clemson’s year. 2017 will start off differently for Tiger Fans.

No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: we will always love our Clemson Tigers.

Fight Tigers. Fight Tigers. Fight Fight Fight.

GO TIGERS!