Clemson is still a serious ACC title contender until proven otherwise. No program has defined this conference over the last decade-plus more than Dabo Swinney’s Tigers. However, they are coming off their worst season in a generation. Furthermore, Clemson, per some, no longer strikes fear in ACC opponents. Miami has emerged as a national title threat. Louisville and SMU are ascending programs on the rise as well.
Although the Tigers will not play them this regular season, Swinney’s team should not tolerate letting Jeff Brohm and Rhett Lashlee’s programs walk around in the upper echelon of the ACC like they own the place. To date, neither of them has won the ACC before. Neither has Miami, but the Canes just played for a national title. It kind of makes you wonder if Clemson is being sorely overlooked in all this.
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt may have said it best on his podcast about if Clemson still has “a fear factor.”…