Following the G.O.A.T. Kelly Bryant performed admirably, but was it enough?

In retrospect it’s difficult to recall the exact moment it became a thing, but as far as my memory allows it was some point after The Citadel game. Hunter Johnson went 7 for 8 for 144 yards including a 78-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, and at that point, it was Johnson who was elevated from 3rd team quarterback to the answer for Clemson’s perceived quarterback ills in the minds of many Clemson fans.

It didn’t matter that The Citadel defense, a middling Football Championship Subdivision outfit, had been mauled, bullied, and blasted by the Tiger offense to the tune of 52 points by the time Johnson took the field.

It didn’t matter that Clemson starter Kelly Bryant had a day himself, going 17 of 22 for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns in less than a half of play.

It also didn’t matter to fans that Bryant had performed admirably in taking over for the programs G.O.A.T. on the heels of Clemson’s first National Championship in 35 years.

Not to mention Bryant already led the Tigers to wins over Auburn, Louisville, North Carolina State and Florida State among others, and would follow with wins over South Carolina and Miami in the ACC Championship.

None of it mattered. Tiger fans wanted to see more Hunter Johnson.

He was the answer.

But what was the question?

Johnson hadn’t played a meaningful snap all season, and by the time the season concluded Johnson’s playing time occurred with an average lead of 37 points against an average defense ranked 86th.

There was no stress of facing a physical Auburn defense, no pressure of outplaying Lamar Jackson on the road or facing Bradley Chubb and his hard-hitting teammates.

Johnson didn't have to face down Florida State with the division on the line, worry about keeping the winning streak against South Carolina alive and wasn't called on to defeat an up and coming Miami team in the ACC Championship game.

Those are all things Kelly Bryant accomplished, yet somehow Johnson became the answer because of a few passes against The Citadel and a couple of pretty spirals against Wake Forest.

There's no argument whether Kelly Bryant needs to improve for Clemson to contend in 2018. If you need reminding just look back at the Alabama game or consider the play calls that didn't occur in 2017 that did in 2016.

There's also no question Hunter Johnson is a talented quarterback that may someday lead the Clemson offense, perhaps as soon as the 2018 season.

If that happens, it’ll be because what the coaches see in practice, in the spring, and over the summer. Not because Johnson lit up an overmatched opponent in a tune-up game.

It’s easy to throw pretty spirals when you’re up 50. Your opponent’s not as skilled and has likely given up for the day. 

It’s not as easy to do when Bradley Chubb or D’Shawn Hand is bearing down on you with malice aforethought.

College football fans memories and patience are short.

Three years ago, being one of the four teams to make the playoff and leading your team to a 12-2 record, conference title and playoff appearance as the #1 seed would have led to a Heisman push from the athletic department. Bryant probably should have hit "big man on campus" status. 

Only when you follow the G.O.A.T. do you get criticized while your untested backup becomes the answer to what woes Clemson fans. The problem is that there really isn't a question.

National Championships alter expectations, sometimes for decades, and sometimes irrationally for a fan base.

While some Clemson fans ponder who the starting quarterback should be in 2018, outsiders are pondering Kelly Bryant’s chances of winning the Heisman, apparently having more confidence in Bryant than his own fan base.

It's amazing when you think about it. 

Of the four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, the rising senior that led his team to a 12-2 record and the College Football Playoff is an afterthought to some, if not most.

Yet, a quarterback with 0 meaningful snaps, a redshirt that has never played a down of college football, and a true freshman that should be getting ready for his senior prom are thought to be better options.

I'm not sure what you call it, some might say crazy. I call it "Tua Tagovailoa Syndrome".