The 1988 season looked like it was going to be something really, really special.  Clemson opened the season ranked #4 nationally and the Tigers, most importantly, were defending the belt.  Clemson opened with Virginia Tech, blasting the Hokies 40-7.  Furman was the next contender.  Clemson proceeded to knock off the eventual I-AA National Champion Furman Paladins 23-3, setting up a belt match the next week with the highly ranked Florida State Seminoles.  Wrapups of those games are in the links above.