CLEMSON, S.C. -- The starters had long since retired to the sideline amid Clemson's blowout win over FCS foe South Carolina State when defensive end Clelin Ferrell decided to sneak a peak at the scores around the rest of the ACC.

And there it was: Louisville 63, Florida State 20.

During the summer, the Tigers spent time studying each of their 2016 opponents, so Ferrell had a good idea that Louisville would be a strong team this year -- but 63 points against FSU? That was a bit of a surprise.

“Seeing them do the things they’re doing so far, it’s crazy the numbers they’re putting up,” Ferrell said. “But we’ve got some competitors on our side, so it’s more that we can’t wait to get our chance against them. It’ll show how good we are.”

That measuring stick arrives in two weeks when Clemson hosts Louisville, but in the interim there’s still the small matter of a trip to Georgia Tech -- a place the Tigers haven’t won since 2003 -- on a short week, so there weren’t many players eager to look ahead to the looming date with the upstart Cardinals.

What did linebacker Jaylen Williams think of the Louisville score?

“Gotta get ready for GT,” he said.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables echoed that sentiment. Beating the Yellow Jackets on short rest is no lock.

But how can you not be impressed by a 43-point blowout of the No. 2 team in the nation? The ACC Atlantic, after all, has come down to the winner of Clemson-Florida State each of the past six years, but Saturday’s domination of the Seminoles means Louisville is now a clear challenger to the throne.

“It’ll be a great challenge,” Venables said. “But it’s exciting having that in front of us. Florida State is loaded with great players, so for Louisville to do that on them, it tells you where they’re at right now.”

Indeed, it was a statement win for Louisville. Quarterback Lamar Jackson may be the nation’s most feared player at the moment, and the glare of the spotlight that just a few days before seemed to be overwhelming Clemson, has shifted to the Cardinals.

All true, safety Jadar Johnson said, but that’s just fine by Clemson.

“Do whatever, man. If y’all feel like you like them, go like them," Johnson said. "We’re worried about Clemson.”

That’s not to say Johnson wasn’t sufficiently impressed by Louisville’s performance Saturday. It’s just that, there’s little sense in building up the moment. Clemson has played in its share of big games, and it’s been doubted in most of them. And after a week in which Deshaun Watson apologized to fans for letting all the attention the Tigers have received the last few months weigh on him, letting another team handle the weight of expectations isn’t a bad thing. After all, Clemson relishes the role of underdog.

“We got a little slack because we came off a little slow the first couple games,” Ferrell said. “We know the media is going to sway.”

The attention of media and fans may sway, but the Cardinals already had Clemson’s respect. Louisville’s win, dominant as it was, didn’t displace Clemson as defending ACC champs, and Clemson isn’t conceding anything to its new challengers. It’s just a little extra spice for a matchup that in each of the past two seasons has come down to the final drive of the game.

“It’s good publicity for them because it’s just raising the hype for the game, and we love those big games,” Ferrell said. “That’s what we’re here for.”