Additional Coverage:
- AP Top 25 Takeaways: Clemson’s feeble performance against Georgia confirms descent of Dabo’s Tigers (newsbreak.com)
Early assumptions often cool off by mid-fall, as demonstrated by the 2023 Colorado football team.
Clemson’s deterioration has been clear over the past three seasons, to the point where it’s fair to say that Dabo Swinney’s team is no longer in the running for national championships and not risk looking foolish later on.
The 34-3 battering Clemson received from the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta wasn’t a shocker. It was more a confirmation of Clemson’s standing.
Dabo Swinney didn’t mince words post-game, laying the blame on himself for the dismal performance, particularly in the second half, stating, “Sometimes you get your butt kicked and we did today.”
While Georgia, not the current champion (a title held by 9th ranked Michigan), is the benchmark in college football with a formidable record of 43-2 and two national titles since 2021.
Georgia’s dominance started with their 2021 season opener against Clemson, where they won 10-3 in a defensive slog in Charlotte, North Carolina—since then, Georgia has soared while Clemson has stagnated.
Clemson has struggled, particularly on offense and team improvement strategies, the latter evidenced by Swinney’s minimal use of the transfer portal.
Swinney remains unapologetic about his approach, emphasizing he does what he believes is best for Clemson, regardless of external criticisms.
Quarterback development remains a sore spot, with neither of their last two five-star quarterbacks, including Cade Klubnik, meeting expectations.
Despite preseason hype around their receivers, particularly freshman T.J. Moore, who only made one catch against Georgia, offensive prowess remains weak with few players drafted into the NFL in recent years.
Georgia’s performance suggests they’re almost peerless, while Clemson could still potentially clinch an Atlantic Coast Conference title, riding on their strong defense.
This situation leaves a bitter taste for the ACC, given that Clemson was a former powerhouse in the conference. Additionally, Virginia Tech’s recent loss to Vanderbilt has raised further concerns regarding the strength of ACC teams.
Meanwhile, Miami showed potential in their victory against Florida, and Florida’s coach, Billy Napier, is under scrutiny after a disheartening start to the season.
Clemson, despite last season’s late surge, showed no resurgence against Georgia, though Swinney reminds everyone that Clemson’s aspirations are still alive with the new 12-team playoff structure.
Other noteworthy debuts included Riley Leonard for Notre Dame, a promising start for Penn State’s new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Iowa’s new offensive schemes under Tim Lester, and impressive performances from fresh talent at Ohio State and Nebraska.
Elsewhere, coach Kalen DeBoer led Alabama to a triumphant win in their first game post-Nick Saban era.
Retention of key players like Ashton Jeanty at Boise State is crucial outside the Power Four conferences, as demonstrated by impressive debut performances across the country.
These highlights and changes underline the continuous evolution and competitiveness of college football nationwide.