Bowden thinks what could've been for Tigers

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Whenever Clemson coach Tommy Bowden looked at his sidelined stars, he knew what could&#39;ve been for the 25th-ranked Tigers.<br> <br> Bowden said Monday having starting linebackers Anthony Waters and Tramaine Billie on defense, or guard Roman Fry on the offensive line, instead of injured in sweat pants might have made a difference in one-point losses to Boston College (34-33 in double OT) in September and Maryland (13-12) two weeks ago.<br> <br> Victories in both game could have put Clemson (8-3, 5-3 ACC) in the thick of the Atlantic Coast Conference race.<br> <br> Waters was lost for the year after tearing ligaments during the second half of Clemson&#39;s opener with Florida Atlantic. Billie hurt his ankle in the preseason and has not played.<br> <br> Fry went down early against Georgia Tech, also with torn knee ligaments.<br> <br> And don&#39;t forget receiver Rendrick Taylor, who broke an arm against Wake Forest in October or defensive lineman Etta Etta-Tawo, who was lost because of a heart condition.<br> <br> Any or all of them might have made a difference, Bowden said.<br> <br> ``I think I could&#39;ve squeezed out another win,&#39;&#39; the coach said Monday. ``I think those guys was worth another point in one of those two games.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Clemson finished 11 straight weeks of games with a 20-14 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday. The team has this Saturday free before closing the regular season, as always, against rival South Carolina.<br> <br> Injuries also cost Clemson starting safety Michael Hamlin; receiver Chansi Stuckey, the ACC&#39;s leading receiver a year ago; and senior runner Reggie Merriweather for several games.<br> <br> Bowden says he could have had all them in the lineup at Virginia Tech on Oct. 26 and it probably wouldn&#39;t have mattered much in the Tigers 24-7 loss.<br> <br> Without the injuries, the other losses had chances to be wins, Bowden said.<br> <br> ``Nine, 10 wins, kind of what we thought, I thought that would&#39;ve been very realistic,&#39;&#39; the coach said.<br> <br> Should Clemson defeat South Carolina the Tigers have won eight of the past nine games with their rival and then whatever bowl game they go to, they would finish with 10 victories for the first time since 1990.<br> <br> Bowden has began breaking down the Gamecocks. His players will start preparations when practice resumes Tuesday. And while work will get done, Bowden says it&#39;s just as important for the players to get mentally and emotionally revived after such a grueling season.<br> <br> The Tigers will get a three-day weekend starting Friday before returning to campus and regular game-week preparations.<br> <br> Bowden says Clemson will have to be crisp to overcome South Carolina, which has hung with nationally ranked opponents, Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida before losing all by a touchdown or less.<br> <br> The Gamecocks also have had top-25 recruiting classes in Steve Spurrier&#39;s two seasons. ``They got guys that we wanted,&#39;&#39; Bowden said.<br> <br> South Carolina&#39;s performance in losing 17-16 to Florida in Spurrier&#39;s return to The Swamp shows the Gamecocks aren&#39;t a fluke, Bowden said.<br> <br> ``They&#39;re playing toe to toe,&#39;&#39; Bowden said. ``When you play that close to quality competition, obviously you got some good players ... and good coaches.&#39;&#39;