In Clemson's Darkest Night, One Ray Of Hope Shines Through

Clemson just allowed a record 70 points in a BCS bowl game. At no point in the evening did it appear they were capable of stopping even the most modest of West Virginia's offensive designs. This was an utter and complete debacle, the kind of defeat that years later causes spontaneous weeping and fainting spells among those unfortunate enough to have watched it from the wrong side's stands.

Still, you have to hope, Clemson. Maybe you feel like hope in these circumstances is an impossibility, but we tell you, devastated Clemson fans: it is not only possible, but necessary and alive. Hope claps with both hands forward like Les Miles. Hope wears an orange ballcap, and frankly...well, not even hope can keep up the charade for the entirety of a single round of applause for a garbage time TD in the worst blowout in your program's bowl history.

The little moment of utterly transparent despair at the end is where this gif takes the onramp from the Merely Humorous Highway to the Turnpike of Sublime Sorrow. We salute your pathos, Clapping Clemson Fan, and remind you that as courageous as you are, we'd still rather eat glass than be in your shoes tonight.