Saturday saw another nail in the coffin national of the Clemson program. For most programs, 9-3 isn’t too bad of a regular season. For Clemson it is especially when it is as hollow a 9-win regular season can be for the once-elite program.
Clemson started the year getting boat raced by the Georgia Bulldogs on national TV 34-3. Then Clemson mowed the portion of their schedule without playing a team that currently is over .500. When they played the next best team on their schedule up to that point Louisville it was a 33-21 not as close as the score indicated loss. Saturday was another mess of a home loss to a quality team, as Clemson blew a 14-7 4th quarter lead when the offense went into a shell in part to bizarre play calling and in part to QB Cade Klubnik’s inept late game play.
It all leads to the fact, the only team Clemson beat with a semi-pulse on the road was at 7-5 Pitt – losers of five straight.
Clemson came out with a gate with a smart game plan. A short quick passing game to nullify the South Carolina pass rush. It worked for awhile until South Carolina adjusted midway the through 3rd qtr, and Cade Klubnik couldn’t lead the Tigers to a 4th quarter scoring drive.
His inability to hit an open receiver on a 3rd and short in the 4th quarter was the epitome of Clemson’s play late in the game. After Clemson fell behind 17-14, Klubnik drove Clemson inside the South Carolina 20 only to throw an interception well inside of of FG range.
That’s what Clemson does now. They lost two of the last three games in Death Valley. They don’t win big games, and they don’t beat teams they used to anymore. It was just another step in the program’s decline that has plagued Clemson since the 2020 national title, but and there is a big but.
Syracuse gave Clemson new life. With Syracuse’s upset win over Miami, Clemson isn’t dead. Maybe they should be, but they aren’t. Clemson with get their 4th try to beat a team with an actual pulse. They’ll face 11-1 SMU, and a chance to get to the College Football Playoff.
Clemson played Georgia – failed, Clemson played Louisville – failed, Clemson played South Carolina – failed.
Clemson gets another shot to salvage to their season.
That’s one way to stunt the decline of a program, win the ACC and make a little run in the playoff. Remember what NC State did during basketball season after winning the ACC Title, then used it get to the Final 4?
It is the opportunity sitting there for Clemson and Dabo Swinney.
Can they finally play a 4 quarter game against a quality opponent?
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