There are two legitimate perspectives from which to consider U of L's yard short 42-36 loss to Clemson in Death Valley.
There is the Now.
Given what a truly great team Clemson is, along with Florida State's home loss to North Carolina, it appears inevitable that the Tigers will win the division, play in the ACC's title game and thus hold the inside track to be the conference's best bet for the Final Four.
So, for the Now, this season's Cardinal aspirations though still lofty have become more difficult to attain. But, it is important to note, not impossible.