Overview
- Clemson sits 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC, unranked after a 34-21 home loss to Syracuse that capped the program’s worst start under Swinney in years.
- Swinney said “we’ll see” on potential benchings and announced the staff will evaluate every position during the bye ahead of the Oct. 4 trip to North Carolina.
- The offense is averaging 19.8 points per game, its fewest in 27 years, with line play and third-down execution flagged as major weaknesses.
- Quarterback Cade Klubnik has opened with a downturn, completing 60.1% for 996 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions through four games.
- National voices escalated criticism this week: Paul Finebaum said “it’s over” and urged Swinney to move on, Joel Klatt called the start “an utter failure,” Aaron Murray labeled it “embarrassing,” and David Pollack compared Clemson to last year’s disappointing FSU, while reporting highlights that Swinney’s reported buyout near $60 million lowers the chance of an immediate firing.