Two weeks ago Clemson sat 4-4 with a top-15 Notre Dame coming to town. There was serious talk of Clemson missing a bowl game.
Since then Clemson beat Notre Dame 31-23 down multiple starters, and then thumped Georgia Tech in a not as close as the score indicates 42-21 game. Where Dabo Swinney was criticized earlier in the year, and deservedly so, for not getting the most out of his team he should get credit for a late-season resurgence.
Clemson doesn’t expect to be unranked, out of the national and ACC title chases at this point in the season. The Tigers don’t even have a chance at a 10-win season for the first time in over a decade. Dabo Swinney had a ton of work to do to keep his team engaged, motivated, and improving.
Mission accomplished so far…
Clemson’s defense is playing as well as anyone in the country this side of Michigan. DC Wes Godwin who looked overwhelmed at times last year got lights-out performances from his defense the last two weeks against two teams that play totally different styles of offense. Clemson has also found something that works on offense – give it to RB Phil Mafah. A week after rushing for over 180 yards against Notre Dame he had nearly 100 against Georgia Tech on 17 carries.
The Tigers have reduced the pressure on QB Cade Klubnik, and a limited passing game and seem to take much more what defenses give them rather than forcing things through the air.
Neither of Clemson’s last two opponents, UNC or South Carolina are ranked in the top 50 of rushing defense. The Tigers should be able to find success. The defense is locking down opponents, and if Clemson just keeps teams honest in the passing game then what looked unlikely just a couple of weeks ago is now possible.
Clemson now has a real chance to run the table in November. Who would have thought that not long ago?
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