Overview

• Clemson dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC with a 34-21 home loss to Syracuse, its worst start in more than two decades.
• ESPN’s Aaron Murray, who picked Clemson to win the national title, said he would be embarrassed if he were Dabo Swinney and criticized the Tigers for being pushed around up front by LSU, Georgia Tech and Syracuse.
• David Pollack compared this Clemson team to last year’s disappointing Florida State squad and called the Tigers the biggest letdown in college football so far.
• FOX analyst Joel Klatt labeled the opening month an “utter failure” after backing Clemson as a preseason championship pick.
• The Tigers have a bye before facing UNC on Oct. 4, and coverage notes their slow start has severely dimmed playoff hopes and cast doubt on bowl eligibility.