Josh Pate on Duke beating Clemson: "Well within the realm of possibility."

247's Josh Pate addresses the scenario in which Clemson falls at Duke in week 1.

247Sports' Josh Pate has an ongoing offseason segment where he discusses some of the biggest fan "What Ifs?" of the upcoming season. This particular show brought a question to light that many fans aren't even considering because of the ramifications and ripple effects it could have on the program. The question? What if Duke actually pulls the upset and beats the ACC favorite Clemson Tigers in week 1 of the season?

Pate starts off by acknowledging a couple of key points; Duke is only a 12-point underdog and the game is in Durham, North Carolina which, according to him, puts this outcome "well within the realm of possibility." He also reminds everyone that this game is on a Monday night which will be the primetime environment that can sometimes create pressure-filled mistakes from the favorites.

Clemson hasn't played at Duke since 2012, a 56-20 win for the Tigers. (Clemson Athletics)

The Late Kick host then goes on to discuss what the consequences would be if this wild turn of events came to pass. "I legitimately think this would throw the entire sport into early season chaos," Pate says. "I think this would be the early season crowbar to the knees that, quite frankly, this sport needs that time of year."

The two most immediate aftereffects according to Pate? "No. 1, if Duke beats Clemson then Mike Elko instantly becomes the hottest name in the head coaching market."

"No. 2, and this is on the Tigers' side of things, Clemson would just delve into full panic mode. Fanbase would be in full panic mode because of everything you told yourself about the reset button up there, you would forget that. Everything you told yourself about Garrett Riley coming in and he's gonna save the offense, you would forget that and everything you told yourself about the program being back on track, you'd forget all that! You shouldn't because week 1 losses aren't the end of the world but you and I both know what it would actually be like."

While that paints a dire, but probable, picture of how people would view both teams following a shock like that Pate does admit he would probably pick up some Clemson stock since so many others at that point would be throwing it away.

While it's clear that Clemson fans want to return desperately to the mountaintop of the sport - that starts with not losing games to programs like Duke with the spotlight on you - Pate indicates for good reason that all hope would not be lost.