From The Gridiron to the TV screen, with Eric Mac Lain

August 23rd, 2025

In the second installment of my Q&A series, I chat with former Clemson Tiger and ACC Network analyst, Eric Mac Lain.  Eric has been with the ACC Network since its inception back in 2019. 

Eric was also a not-so-shabby collegiate player himself, having played for the Clemson Tigers for four years. Eric racked up the most wins for a single player in school history with 46. 

Here, Eric and I chat about life, being in the media world, Clemson, and of course, Louisville football.  

Enjoy, folks! 

(C)What do you think is missing from the game of college football today ?

(E)Leadership. We need an entity/group to step in and get CFB going in the same direction. Not just each conference or school looking out for themselves. 

(C) What are your thoughts on Coach Dabo slowly but surely adapting to the transfer portal method ? 

(E) He finally had roster spots open, and he took the utmost advantage of those, filling them with instant impact players. 1 sure started and 2 big-time role players. 

(C) What are your thoughts on the type of season that QB1 Miller Moss of Louisville can have ? 

(E) I believe he will have the most consistent year of his career. Under the direction and coaching from Brohm, I believe he takes it to another level. 

(C) Being a former player of Clemson, what exactly does it mean to be a Clemson Tiger ? 

(E) Everything. It means doing your best. It means doing the common things in an uncommon way. It means doing the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing. It means playing for something bigger than you.

(C) In your eyes , what type of job has Jeff Brohm done at the helm of Louisville ?

(E) A great job. I can’t imagine the amount of pressure he was facing internally and externally coming home to Louisville. And he has DELIVERED.

(C) A lot of folks are saying eight wins for the Cards is realistic, what are your thoughts on the amount of wins they can have ? 

(E) 8.5 is the number… give me the OVER! I love this offense. And think Brohm continues to build. 

(C) How’d you get your start with the ACC network ?

(E) Long answer… I got super lucky. And was ready when the call came! Blessed beyond measure to say this is my job. 

(C) Are certain conference commissioners being unrealistic with their expectations of the CFP ? 

(E) Yes. We have to do what is best for college football. It goes back to my first answer. 

(C) Was Louisville’s win in Death Valley last season their “okay, they are back” moment as a program ? 

(E) beating Clemson for the first time ever is certainly a moment. But we can’t have the Stanford loss. We have to be more consistent to take that next step.

(C) What’s it like being a husband and dad for you, and how important is it to have a supportive partner in order to do what you do ? 

(E) It’s the two best titles I’ve ever had. Nothing brings me more joy than being with my wife and our baby girl. I 100% could not do this job without her full support. She keeps me going to be the best I can be.

(C) What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received ? 

(E) “Love your neighbor.” We all probably need to do that a little more, a little better.