The ACC’s last best chance at the playoffs is history.
Clemson went to South Bend and was absolutely undressed and exposed by Notre Dame.
On a bad weather night, Notre Dame had a simple effective game plan – run the ball, play solid defense and special teams.
Check, check and check from the Irish.
Clemson on the other hand tried to play a game that was more suited to 70 degrees and a dome. They were needlessly aggressive with frequent deep downfield passes. They went for and failed to get a 4th down when punting would have been the more prudent play.
QB DJ Uiagalelei regressed to his 2021 form where even not under pressure he forced passes and missed easy one.
It was a collective collapse at every level by Clemson. They were exposed and exposed badly.
What is very apparent is Clemson lacks speed on offense. There is nobody that can stretch the field against a quality defense. Notre Dame has a quality defense and showed that tonight.
In addition in a game like this, your special teams have to be excellent. Notre Dame’s punt block and TD score sent game the sideways, and Clemson never recovered. It was a sloppy punt blocking that the Irish took advantage of.
Is Clemson a bad team? No – Their wins and record speak for themselves, but Saturday night proved they are not a playoff team.
When you’re Clemson you’re expected to get to the playoffs not miss them for the 2nd straight year.
Dabo Swinney has to look in the mirror at how a 5-star QB regressed to last year’s form? How does a roster full of NFL talent on defense play so unevenly? Did he make questionable internal hires at OC with Brandon Streeter and DC with Wes Goodwin? Why is there no speed on offense? Is it time to truly embrace the transfer portal?
There are plenty of questions for Clemson now.
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