CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson's Dabo Swinney got where he is by dreaming big.
With his 18th-ranked Tigers so close to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, Clemson's first-year coach won't let the players' hopes for success get in the way of what's important.
Swinney tells his players all the time to enjoy their season's journey. Right behind it, though, comes his cautionary words. "Be careful what you listen to," Swinney said Tuesday.
And this week, that's sure to be some crazy, excited Tiger fans.
Clemson (7-3, 5-2) can wrap up the ACC's Atlantic Division and reach its first league championship game with a win over the Cavaliers (2-4, 3-7). A victory in Tampa, Fla., over Georgia Tech next month would be the Tigers' first ACC crown since 1991.
While there's likely to be a large crowd at Death Valley on Saturday afternoon, Clemson's ticket staff says it's getting as many orders for ACC title game tickets from backers already looking past this weekend.
"There's definitely that kind of buzz in the air," guard Thomas Austin said.
There was a different buzz six weeks ago when the Tigers were 2-3 after a loss at Maryland, still the Terps' only ACC victory of the season.
Swinney, who turns 40 on Friday, had never been a head coach and coordinator and surely wasn't up to the job, critics said. The Tigers were no different, detractors continued, than during the years of near-misses and close calls of former coach Tommy Bowden.
Since Oct. 17 and a 38-3 win over then-Atlantic leader Wake Forest, the Tigers have been one of the ACC's best.
Clemson has scored 27 touchdowns and averaged 42 points its past five wins after managing just seven and 24 its first five.
The Tigers' "Steele Curtain" defense, nicknamed for first-year coordinator Kevin Steele, is second in the ACC in overall defense and leads the league in sacks and interceptions.
Each step of the comeback, though, the question's come up: When will Clemson stumble?
Virginia presents the last chance for a slip-up.
The message of Swinney and Clemson's assistants hasn't changed from the start of the season, offensive coordinator Billy Napier said.
"In our minds, hopefully, our message has been consistent enough for these guys that every game so far has been exactly like this game," he said. "It's our opportunity to advance."
The players felt that, too.
During the two weeks between the Maryland loss and Clemson's next game, the Tigers took the opportunity to become accountable to each other, tight end Michael Palmer said.
What emerged was smarter, crisper play on offense and defense.
"Sometimes, you have to go through the valley to get to the mountaintop," Palmer said.
Clemson's almost at the top -- and star tailback C.J. Spiller vows to keep his younger teammates on track during a week when it might be easy to lose their way.
The Tigers are a nearly three-touchdown favorite and appear Virginia's better in most all statistical areas.
"I don't spend time looking at that. I just turn on the film," Swinney said.
Clemson's coach sees a big, fast group of Cavaliers in Al Groh's NFL-style defense playing at a higher level than their record.
Spiller doesn't see any slip-ups ahead. Too often in the past, Clemson's breakdowns have led it to depend on other ACC teams for any title shots.
"We've been kind of riding the coattails, depending on other people for a long time now," the Tigers senior said. "We control our own destiny."
That means a solid, spirited week of practice, no matter how many orange-colored fans are shouting about Tampa.
"The only thing we can do is have a great week of preparation instead of sitting around and worrying," Spiller said.