Clemson's Bowden tries to keep his team on even keel

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - Clemson coach Tommy Bowden delivered the message in the excited aftermath of his team&#39;s most important win of the season at Georgia Tech two weeks ago ``We haven&#39;t arrived yet.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> It&#39;s a message Bowden&#39;s seniors have faithfully carried onto the practice field, the weight room, the dorms and the community. Just because the Tigers (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won three in a row, ``I don&#39;t think anyone&#39;s ordering championship rings yet,&#39;&#39; center Tommy Sharpe, a senior, said on Tuesday. <br> <br> With a game at Maryland on Saturday, Bowden said his team&#39;s focus remained strong through its off week. The Tigers had a long, intense, productive practice Sunday without a lot of strutting or showing off over their recent success. <br> <br> ``I think with what they&#39;ve done the past three weeks (all wins), the players ought to feel like they&#39;ve accomplished something,&#39;&#39; Bowden says. <br> <br> The road to serious ACC title contention, though, is a long one. After the Terps come games with Virginia and North Carolina State the following two weeks a likely make or break stretch for the Tigers. <br> <br> ``Everybody&#39;s still really excited,&#39;&#39; defensive lineman J.J. Howard said. ``We have a great opportunity to start out 2-0 in the ACC. ... We&#39;re just looking forward to the opportunity.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> It&#39;s one Clemson hasn&#39;t take advantage of lately. <br> <br> The Tigers were 4-1 in 2001 and 3-1 a year ago. Yet, both seasons they needed a final-game victory over South Carolina to make the postseason. <br> <br> The players see significant changes in attitude between then and now. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re a lot more together, we&#39;ve got a better bond,&#39;&#39; Clemson cornerback Justin Miller said. <br> <br> Bowden said his seniors have so far said the right things at the right times. <br> <br> There&#39;s not a football coach in America, Bowden says, who doesn&#39;t dust off his best fiery pre-game speech to end a long losing streak or continue a big-time winning run. The difference is how many team leaders pay attention, take it to heart and spread it around to younger teammates. Bowden called the ``200-yard walk&#39;&#39; between Clemson&#39;s practice field and locker rooms a place where the message of hard work and improvement takes root. <br> <br> ``I think our guys are talking about the right things,&#39;&#39; Bowden said. <br> <br> They&#39;re also doing the right things on the field. <br> <br> Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is second in the ACC and 10th in the country with a pass efficiency rating of 153.6. Receiver Derrick Hamilton leads the conference in all-purpose yards. Clemson&#39;s defense is third behind Florida State and Maryland. And the Tigers are tops in kickoff returns and kickoff coverage. <br> <br> The mood on campus, in the dumps after Clemson&#39;s 30-0 loss to Georgia on Aug. 30 to open the season, was practically joyous after the Georgia Tech win. The seniors made sure the ``atta boys&#39;&#39; players got in dining halls and classrooms wouldn&#39;t seep into their psyches. <br> <br> Clemson&#39;s upperclassmen ``told us to keep your confidence high,&#39;&#39; Whitehurst said. ``But not too high.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Bowden struggled to get a feel for his team&#39;s intangibles through winter workouts, spring drills and fall camp. He crossed his fingers that the Georgia defeat wouldn&#39;t cloud the season. So far, it hasn&#39;t. And it&#39;s largely because of his most experienced players. <br> <br> ``I think the mental preparation of your team within the team itself,&#39;&#39; Bowden said. ``I think a lot of it is the team and its senior leadership and how they prepare. Ours has been really good.&#39;&#39;