Since a 34-3 loss to Georgia, Clemson has scored 125 points against Appalachian State and NC State. The halftime scores were 56-13 and 45-7. This team is humming, and getting right as the Tigers get into the meat of their ACC schedule.
Just how good is Clemson though? Is this a product of their competition, or is Clemson truly turning the corner?
Well, there is no reason to think it’s not the later. When you do it to App State, who just lost 48-14 to South Alabama you can be a little skeptical, but when you back it up against a not-great or even good, but a credible NC State then you might have something.
In the last few years, Clemson really lacked big play explosive plays against anyone. The QB play was spotty. The offensive line was inconsistent, and there really wasn’t a deep vertical passing game.
We’re seeing things from the Tigers we haven’t seen from the Tigers the last 3 years. The only game the Tigers exceeded the 50-point barrier was a 51-point 2 OT win over Wake Forest in 2022, and 66 points against FCS school Charleston Southern in 2023.
So the results of the last 2 games mean something.
QB Cade Klubnik has completed 40 out of 50 passes for 8 touchdowns and looks as comfortable as Clemson QB has since Trevor Lawrence was manning the controls. The emergence of freshman receivers Bryant Wesco Jr, and T.J. Moore has given Clemson a deep play threat not seen in years. That has helped every part of the Clemson offense, including the run game behind an offensive line playing some quality football, and RB Phil Mafah.
It’s fair to still temper expectations given the competition, but Clemson certainly has something to build on.
Stanford is next, and that’s an improved Cardinal team that just won at Syracuse, but one Clemson should handle. They get #19 3-0 Louisville at home, and currently, 4-0 Pitt is on the road, but Clemson should be favored in every one of their games the rest of the season.
The trajectory is currently very much in the right direction for the Tigers.
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