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Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is still trying to pump positivity into his 2-2 program following a heartbreaking loss to rival Florida State. Despite his team’s 0-2 start in ACC play, the head coach is taking a big picture look at the first four games in hopes of convincing everyone that his empire’s not crumbling.
Swinney hit the ultimate spin cycle during a recent call-in show saying that his team is just a few plays away from being a national title contender.
Keep in mind that this comes after a season opening loss to Duke where the Tigers fell by three touchdowns, as well as that overtime defeat to FSU.
In some ways, he has a valid argument. Clemson has outplayed each of their ACC opponents on the stat sheet, outgaining both the Seminoles and Blue Devils.
In that loss to Duke, the Tigers ran and threw for over 200 yards. Redzone turnovers and missed field goals proved costly in that defeat as Clemson came away scoreless on three second half trips inside the Blue Devils’ 10-yard line.
Of course, that also conveniently leaves out a pair of Duke turnovers in the first half, one of which set the Tigers up for their only score of the day. The Blue Devils totaled 175 yards or more both rushing and passing on the day, coming close to Clemson’s balanced production.
After the loss, Swinney said it was the “weirdest game he’s ever been a part of.”
In the FSU contest, Clemson led throughout the first half only to be held scoreless over the final 18 minutes of play. The Tigers missed a game-winning field goal on their final drive of regulation, and they’d eventually fall in the overtime period.
That kick came under immediate scrutiny given the fact that the placekicker had been retired from college football just the week before.
Again, Swinney’s team outgained its opponent, but second half miscues allowed the Seminoles to keep it close and eventually win the game.
Unfortunately, the seemingly fluky trends continue to happen in Death Valley.
Dabo Swinney deflects as Clemson criticism continues to roll in.
The Tigers have lost four of their last five games to Power Five foes. In those matchups, they’ve blown double digit leads to South Carolina and Florida State while outgaining Duke and Tennessee a combined 906-749.
The same issues have arisen in each loss: a poor kicking game and turnovers.
Clemson connected on just 3/9 field goals in those defeats while losing the turnover margin 4-to-9 (4 INT, 5 FUM).
Tiger fans have attributed the lack of success to in-game coaching while the national media continues to criticize Dabo Swinney’s unwillingness to utilize the transfer portal.
Amid the criticisms, the Clemson head coach is attempting to put a positive spin on the season thus far. Here’s what he had to say in a recent call-in show.
“Doesn’t always go the way you want it to, but I can tell you this, I’ve never been prouder of a team that I’ve coached than what I was this weekend. This bunch, this is a team, and my heart breaks for them, because I know how talented they are. They’re literally three plays away from being a Top 5 team in the country and the narrative is how good they are and I’m trying to tell them they’re not that good. That’s the reality.”
Tiger fans don’t necessarily agree with that statement.
“Is every Clemson loss going to be the ‘weirdest game he’s ever been a part of?'”
“We lost by 21 to Duke.”
“We are what our record says we are! A 2-2 team.”
“Yeah, and I’m three 0’s away from being a millionaire but that’s the way life goes!”
“Oh, please don’t start that… The 2016 and 2018 teams were a couple plays from missing the playoffs, too. NC State missed field goal, Texas A&M fumbling out of the end zone, etc. That kind of stuff evens out.”
During Clemson’s national championship caliber seasons, the Tigers seemed to find ways to win while maybe having a few balls bounce their way. Now, things appear to be evening out.