Category: Clemson Tigers

Clemson football heading to the ACC Championship game against SMU

Clemson is heading to the ACC Championship.

Despite an earlier crushing 17-14 loss to South Carolina, Clemson football’s College Football Playoff hopes are still alive. The Tigers, 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the ACC, received the unexpected lifeline they needed as Syracuse stunned No. 6 Miami, 42-38, to clear Clemson’s path to the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson will next play SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC) a week from Saturday in Charlotte. The winner will clinch a spot in the Playoff, though Clemson’s loss likely affects its seeding and could position the Tigers to take the road in the first round. The stakes are monumental as Clemson seeks to capitalize on its ninth appearance in the ACC title game.

The matchup will be a first-ever meeting between the two programs. SMU represents the surprise story – it finished the regular season unbeaten in conference action. Clemson seeks to bounce back after an up-and-down year. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on ABC.

Reactions to Clemson football’s brutal rivalry loss to South Carolina

Reactions to Clemson’s crushing loss.

Clemson suffered a disappointing defeat on Saturday, losing 17-14 at home to rival South Carolina in a game that delivered a severe blow to its College Football Playoff hopes.

The defeat marked the Tigers’ second consecutive home loss to the Gamecocks, a streak not seen in nearly 30 years. For a program that once thrived in big moments, this loss serves as a painful reminder of how far Clemson has fallen in recent years.

The Tigers had their chances, forcing three turnovers and starting strong in the second half with a Cade Klubnik-led touchdown drive. But their failure to capitalize offensively, combined with the dominant performance from South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, sealed Clemson’s fate. Sellers proved unstoppable, rushing for 166 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining.

The loss sends the Tigers reeling as playoff hopes are dashed and questions arise about the program’s direction. Social media had a lot to say:

 

Clemson throws away a lot College Football Playoff chances with loss to South Carolina

Clemson comes up short when it matters most.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have lost their touch in big moments in recent years, facing another crushing defeat that has nearly completely wipe the Tigers College Football Playoff chances.

Clemson lost at home to rivals South Carolina 17-14 in what many would call embarrassing fashion. With all of the opportunities a team could need to win, the Tigers came up short when it mattered the most.

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers delivered a game-winning 20-yard scramble touchdown with just over a minute remaining to the win. Sellers proved a dual-threat nightmare, rushing for 166 yards on 16 carries and adding 164 passing yards on 13-of-21 completions.

The loss marked Clemson’s second consecutive home defeat to the Gamecocks, a streak not seen since the 1990s. Cade Klubnik showcased his mobility and poise with 280 passing yards, 62 rushing yards, and two touchdowns but fell short late with a decisive interception.

Clemson struck first in the third quarter, as Klubnik’s second rushing touchdown highlighted an 11-play, 75-yard drive. However, Sellers answered for South Carolina, whose defense then limited Clemson to minimal production down the stretch.

Clemson forced three turnovers, including a key interception by Khalil Barnes, but couldn’t capitalize offensively. Injured players, such as Tristan Leigh and Wade Woodaz, made valiant returns but were unable to push Clemson over the top.

The loss effectively ends Clemson’s playoff hopes and leaves its postseason fate unclear.

Clemson takes the lead over South Carolina behind another Klubnik touchdown

Klubnik scores another on the ground.

Clemson football’s starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik, is having a great day on the ground against rivals South Carolina, giving the Tigers their first lead of the second half using his feet.

Heading into the second half tied 7-7, the Tigers needed to be the first team to put points on the board, and that’s exactly what Klubnik and the offense did. It was a sweet 11-play 75-yard drive for Clemson’s offense as they proved to get it done through the air and on the ground.

Klubnik capped off the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run, showing his development mentally while showcasing his explosiveness as a duel threat player.

Clemson is looking good in this second half.

Halftime Report: Clemson leads South Carolina in close rivalry matchup

Clemson leads South Carolina in a close one.

Clemson football and South Carolina are tied 7-7 at the half in a hotly-contested rivalry affair at Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers are balanced offensively, with 227 total yards-80 on the ground with a 4.7-yard average per carry. Cade Klubnik had a solid first half, completing 10-of-16 passes for 148 yards and three big plays of 25+ yards. But he also overthrew a would-be deep touchdown to Bryant Wesco and guided an offense that struggled on third down, converting 1-of-5 chances and failing on a crucial fourth-and-one.

Klubnik’s influence extended to the ground game, with his 13-yard touchdown run exemplifying excellent timing and play-calling by Garrett Riley. The freshmen receivers chipped in for the Tigers, as Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore had big catches, while Antonio Williams led the way with five receptions for 75 yards.

On defense, Clemson excelled in pressuring Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers, tallying three sacks, five tackles for loss, and the game’s only turnover. Despite this, Sellers evaded several tackles to create big plays, including a 25-yard touchdown run that tied the game. Sellers’ ability to scramble and extend plays remains a challenge, as he already exceeded his typical rushing output for a full game in the first half.

Clemson will look to open the second half with a big drive.

Dabo Swinney says Clemson ‘will be ready’ if they make the College Football Playoff

Swinney and the Tigers will be ready.

This year, the matchup between Clemson and South Carolina means a little more with the Tigers’ playoff hopes in the balance.

Clemson heads into this weekend with a pivotal opportunity that could shape its postseason. Currently ranked No. 12, the Tigers (9-2) need a win over No. 15 South Carolina to remain in the hunt for an at-large College Football Playoff berth. However, their path could shift if Syracuse upsets No. 6 Miami, potentially vaulting Clemson into the ACC Championship Game.

Head coach Dabo Swinney has made his preference very clear: to win the ACC title, to get that first-round bye, and to give his injury-ravaged team some real rest. “It would be ideal,” Swinney said, not disguising the injuries that have taken place. The Tigers have lost six offensive linemen this season and will lose reserve Trent Howard, who tore his ACL this week.

While Swinney prefers a title game scenario, he’s prepared for whatever. “We’ll take whatever we can get and be ready,” he said. Still, the Tigers’ clash with South Carolina and Miami’s performance against Syracuse will collectively determine Clemson’s fate. Every Saturday play carries significant weight for a team eager to return to championship contention.

How Clemson responds to being under pressure could very well define its postseason hopes during a wild playoff race that seems to be full of surprises. The stakes are this high, and the Tigers must balance their ambitions for a league title with their ultimate goal of reclaiming a spot among college football’s elite.

Clemson star running back ready for one more shot at South Carolina

Mafah wants to put on a show in his final home game.

This year, Saturday’s game between Clemson and South Carolina means a little bit more as the Tigers playoff hopes rely on the outcome of the matchup.

For senior running back Phil Mafah, it will be his last chance to face the Gamecocks in Death Valley. The running back reflected on the rivalry, saying the most important thing is to maintain a “championship mindset.” “All records are out the window. It’s a game of its own, it’s a championship game, championship mindset,” Mafah explained.

He also reflected on the highs and lows of this rivalry and particularly that which hurt – the loss this year, 2022. “The first thing I thought of was just the seniors,” said Mafah about the soul-crushing defeat of 31-30. “Not being able to send the seniors off with a great farewell, I felt for them and the Clemson fam in general.

This season, Mafah is determined to send off the 2023 seniors on a higher note. “I’m looking most forward to finishing my senior season here in the Valley,” Mafah said. He also spoke to the special nature of the Tiger Walk tradition: “You get to see all the fans, you get to feel them and it’s just a great environment that they create for us to get hyped up.”

With Clemson’s all-time record of 73-43-4 over South Carolina on the line, Mafah is determined to finish on a winning note and extend Clemson’s success in the rivalry.

Dabo Swinney on the large number of decommitments in Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class

Swinny talks Clemson’s decommitments.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are having a brutal time with decommitments in their 2024 recruiting class, as the new era of college football recruiting and NIL having some big impacts on the Tigers upcoming class.

Times are changing fast and Swinney’s program seems to be at the forefront of some of the negatives of these recent changes. Following Wednesday’s practice, Swinney addressed questions about the six decommitments in the current recruiting class.

“It’s just 2024,” Swinney said on his weekly Zoom call. “It doesn’t happen a lot here. Hopefully, it won’t happen a lot once we get into a little bit more of a normal environment. Hopefully, it will be a rare thing. I do think, no matter what, it would be something that, unfortunately, will be a little more common for everyone.”

Swinney hopes the upcoming House Settlement will bring clarity and consistency to recruiting regulations, addressing challenges amplified by NIL and the transfer portal. The change should benefit the Tigers in the long run compared to what we are seeing right now.

Clemson 2024 class is definitely an interesting case.

Swinney says ‘I don’t see how you can’t put us in’ the CFP if Clemson downs South Carolina

Swinney on Clemson and South Carolina’s opportunity on Saturday.

Clemson football is currently on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff field, but head coach Dabo Swinney is making a pretty clear case for why the Tigers belong inside.

At 9-2, Clemson boasts seven wins against Power 5 opponents, six of which came by double digits—a mark tied for first in the country. Swinney praised his team’s resilience and challenging schedule, including facing No. 1 Georgia to open the season. While that loss could hurt their résumé, Swinney defended the choice to play tough opponents, saying, “We could’ve played XYZ Group of 5 University, and now we’re sitting here instead of 9-2, we’re 10-1, and you’re having a different conversation, right?”

Swinney, confident of his unit’s ability to hold against anyone, did not shy from stating, “We’re a good football team. We’re not perfect. We’re flawed like everybody else, but we’re a team that I think can play with anybody in the country.” His standout performances only helped his pitch: Strong play from quarterback Cade Klubnik and linebacker Barrett Carter , who was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Looking ahead to Saturday’s game with South Carolina, Swinney called it a critical “playoff game” for both teams.

“When we go win this game and we’re 10-2, I don’t see how you can’t put us in.” For Clemson to make the CFP, it must first defeat South Carolina and then hope Miami loses at home to Syracuse to advance to the ACC Championship Game. A conference title would ensure Clemson one of the playoff’s five automatic berths. Reflecting on Clemson’s place in the national landscape, Swinney said, “We’ve been on the ‘rest of y’all’ team forever. but guess what? Check our records.

Versus all of them.” He added, “What’s been demonstrated is that if you do earn it, you’ll get the opportunity.” While Swinney is clear that Clemson’s postseason hopes depend on earning a victory this weekend, he remains optimistic about the Tigers’ credentials. “This is a Top 15 matchup, and it would be one of the best wins in the country, on anybody’s résumé, when you look at it,” he said. The blueprint for the future is fairly simple: win Saturday and, depending on how results shake out elsewhere, maybe secure a spot in the playoffs consistent with Clemson’s recent history.

Clemson could crash the party, storming up the College Football Playoff rankings

Clemson is right in the running.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are one of the most intensely discussed teams in college football right now as their path to the College Football Playoff is clear, and possibly controversial. 

Clemson jumped from No. 23 in the first edition of the CFP rankings all the way up to No. 12 in the latest. At this point, a loss to South Carolina is a certain end to any hopes the Tigers have of making the playoff, but a win might make them undeniable as they jump up to the top twelve. 

USA TODAY Sports analyst Blake Toppmeyer believes Clemson is a team to watch closely down the stretch. 

Here comes little ol’ Clemson.

Two weeks ago, when a reporter asked Dabo Swinney to offer a pitch for his Tigers to make the College Football Playoff, the Clemson coach obliged, but his heart didn’t really seem in it.

Swinney offered some meandering rhetoric that amounted to: Why not Clemson?

The answer, at that time, was that Clemson’s résumé didn’t stack up with a number of at-large contenders ahead of it.

Since then, the SEC cannibalized itself.

Now that the College Football Playoff committee values Clemson ahead of three-loss SEC teams like Alabama and Mississippi, we must ask with a straight face: Why not Clemson?

If Clemson beats No. 15 South Carolina on Saturday, then the committee will be forced to strongly consider the Tigers’ credentials.

The SEC has made this thing absolutely wild. There’s no denying, there is SEC bias and how that will effect Clemson could be very interesting. If Clemson takes down South Carolina, the committee has a huge decision to make.

Will they want to add a three loss SEC team? Honestly, they probably do… but is Clemson undeniable if they take down South Carolina, especially if they do it emphatically? I don’t see how they wouldn’t be.

If Clemson handles business against the Gamecocks on Saturday, be prepared for some anarchy.