Saturday was a day many Clemson Tiger fans will want to forget. We want to forget it but let’s not forget it. We need to remember this especially as we progress in the season. It does not matter whether we beat Georgia Southern by 50 or we are a contender in the ACC. Why is that the case? Well let’s dive into the reasons why by looking into the season opener of the 2026 Clemson Tigers.
To start the game, Ashton Hampton picked off Sam Leavitt to start the Tigers offense in LSU territory. It was a great start but the offense was only able to move the ball two yards. A drop on third down from Bryant Wesco stalled the drive. Clemson would go up 3-0. LSU’s next drive would take them all the way down the field before Clemson’s defense would get a stop. LSU would make a field goal to tie the game 3-3.
To start Clemsons second drive, an amazing back shoulder throw from Christopher Vizzina to Bryant Wesco for 22 yards. After that, the offense would stall. Then after an LSU touchdown, Vizzina would throw a pick six. Clemson would punt on every drive until the fourth quarter. LSU’s offense did not slow down. Clemson would score a touchdown on LSU’s backups in the fourth quarter.
So who’s fault is this loss on? It is not on Christopher Vizzina or Tait Reynolds. Despite struggling, neither of them were so bad to the point of not being playable. Gideon Davidson did a decent job when he had an opportunity. TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco got limited opportunities. The reason, the offensive line. Missed blocked caused no run blocking, no protection for our Quarterbacks.
The Defense, despite looking very bad is salvageable because one of the reasons they gave up so many points is because they were on the field the whole game.
What is the solution? The solution could be multiple different options. One path is Head Coach Dabo Swinney is either fired or he willingly resigns. Option two is he cleans house with the staff, fires everybody except a few that are really good. Part of option two is that he actually uses the portal. I do not mean, he gets a Middle Tennessee transfer. I mean he is active in the portal, trying to get some of the best guys he can.
My opinion. I have always given Dabo the benefit of the doubt because he did win 2 National Championships with Clemson and then he made the playoffs in 2024. Yes they had struggled since 2021 but they still had been competing in the ACC and you knew that a few fixes could make Clemson a powerhouse again. However, last year was the breaking point. A team who had a lot of NFL talent at so many positions. Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Defensive Line and Defensive Back. A 1-3 start, including a terrible loss at home against Syracuse was what showed people, “Hey, Clemson is not elite anymore.” Clemson started the season ranked fourth in the nation and fell very quickly. Clemson ended the season 7-5 and went on to lose the bowl game against Penn State, ending the season at a 7-6 record. For a team who was expected to be in the championship conversation, that was abysmal. Despite people talking about Clemson having another shot at it this year, I knew that Clemson is nothing close to elite. My score prediction for the LSU Clemson game was a 24-13 win for LSU, which had LSU covering the spread. I thought when Pat McAfee said they would win by 50 he was crazy. They lost by 41, he was not far off. My opinion is that Dabo Swinney should not be the head coach for Clemson going into the 2027 season. Whether he gets fired or he willingly resigns, it is clear, College Football has passed him by. We will always be grateful for what Dabo has done for this football program but he has to see what is happening. It is time for someone new in Clemson.
My prediction for the rest of the season has changed a bit. I thought they would go 9-3. Now I see it a bit differently. On the bright side, the Tigers do have an easier schedule.
I see Clemson beating Georgia Southern next week easily and getting their first win. Sitting at 1-1, the Tigers will face the Tar Heels. I thought this would be an easy win but seeing the UNC defense against TCU, this could be a tough one. I still see Clemson pulling out a win against the Tar Heels. Clemson is 2-1(1-0 in ACC) as they go on the road to face California. I do not think they are that good, I think it will be tough for the Tigers on the road but I see a Clemson win. At 3-1(2-0) going into the Miami game, people may think Clemson has some momentum and has a chance but they do not. Miami will blowout Clemson. Clemson will beat Charleston Southern easily as well. Clemson is now 4-2(2-1). Against Virginia Tech, Clemson will lose this game and drop to 4-3(2-2). They will beat Florida State and Syracuse and advance to 6-3(4-3). Then they will lose one or two of their last three games against Georgia Tech, Duke and South Carolina. I do not know which ones those will be or how many but I see Clemson 7-5 or 8-4. I hope that after some wins, Clemson fans will not think they can be better next year but nothing real will change. I could also see Clemson missing a bowl game though.
After the 51-10 beatdown against LSU, it is time that Clemson moves on from Dabo.
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