Associated Press

CLEMSON, S.C. — If this were any other week, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden would worry his 21st-ranked Tigers might not find a reason to keep going after their deflating loss to Boston College last Saturday.

But with South Carolina ahead, Bowden sees little need for fiery talks and motivational ploys. "The fact that it's a rival, I think, elevates your intensity and energy level a little bit higher," Bowden said Tuesday.

Clemson needs all the energy it can muster after last week.

The Tigers (8-3) fell to No. 15 Boston College 20-17 in a dramatic showdown for a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.

Clemson rallied to a 17-13 lead with under six minutes to play on Cullen Harper's leaping TD run. Boston College star Matt Ryan answered with a scoring drive of his own, connected on a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rich Gunnell with 1:46 to go.

Harper pushed the Tigers back once more and looked to win it with a perfectly thrown ball to Aaron Kelly. But Clemson's single-season record holder with 11 touchdown grabs this year saw the ball go through his fingers near the goal line and fall incomplete. A desperation 54-yard field goal try by Mark Buchholz to tie things fell short.

Their conference title goal gone, safety Michael Hamlin says the worn-out Tigers have found a new achievement to drive them this week.

"We haven't won 10 games around here in a while," Hamlin said. "We think we can still do that."

Hamlin acknowledged that the Tigers were emotionally drained after the BC loss. However, once they returned to the practice field, they quickly got their minds on South Carolina. "It's going to be difficult at times, but we have to focus on what's ahead," he said.

Bowden can't predict Saturday's outcome, although he's won six of his eight meetings against South Carolina. He will guarantee his team's effort, which he said has barely waned through the long season.

"The biggest thing I like about this team, I think every time we pretty much showed up to play," Bowden said. "When the ball fell short on the field goal and there were double zeros on the clock, I think our players left everything on the field. I think they pretty much have every game."