Clemson lost again Saturday . This time to SMU 35-24 to fall to 3-4 (2-3), and the sad part is hardly anyone noticed.
The Tigers will go over a calendar year without beating P4 team at home. Clemson now needs a 3-2 finish to just make a bowl game.
How far has Clemson fallen? The issues run far, wide, and deep. Where do you even begin if you are Clemson, trying to fix the declining program?
Dabo Swinney has changed both coordinators over the last few years, and both sides of the ball are as inconsistent and uninspired as ever.
He had QB in Cade Klubnik with experience, and by many considered a top 5 collegiate QB going into this season. Klubnik didn’t play today due to injury, but I don’t think anyone would have him in the top half of ACC quarterbacks.
Remember when Clemson’s best teams had leaders like Ben Boulware, Deshaun Watson, and Christian Wilkins? I can’t think of single player like that the last several years.
Dabo Swinney’s refusal to embrace the transfer in the way most programs have has led to a converted WR playing RB, and a team frequently wilts late in games due to a seeming lack of quality depth.
I think one is becoming readily apparent. For Clemson to return to the elite of college football, the fix won’t be easy or likely very fast.
Overhauling a roster through the transfer portal rarely results in sustained success, though some roster turnover certainly couldn’t hurt.
Does Clemson dare think about the Penn State direction and just remove a successful coach? Now, James Franklin never accomplished what Swinney did, but could that be on the table, especially if Clemson goes 4-8, 5-7 with another loss to South Carolina?
That may be a premature, and Clemson is still only a year removed from an ACC Title and Playoff appearance, but if this decline extends another 2 or 3 years, then what?
It’s an ugly situation at Clemson, and there are no easy answers. What is clear is that Clemson is simply a bad football team right now.
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page.
Leave a Reply