Clemson’s offense has put itself in a hole early, and Dabo Swinney didn’t try to soften the blow when asked about it.
The Tigers have been miserable on third down through two games, going 1-of-13 against LSU and 2-of-14 against Georgia Southern. That leaves Clemson at 3-of-27 on the season, a brutal 11.11 percent. When told the Tigers were ranked 136th in the country out of 138 teams in third-down offense, Swinney’s answer was blunt: "I'm surprised we aren't 138th."
Team Rankings has Clemson at 132nd in third-down conversions, with the same 11.11 percent mark. By that metric, only Missouri State, Washington State, East Carolina, Kentucky, and Wyoming are clearly worse.
Northwestern has not played an FBS opponent yet. At the top of the list is rival South Carolina, which is converting at 87.5 percent.
South Carolina being 76.39 percent more efficient on third down versus FBS competition in unreal!
The problem goes beyond one bad number. The offense has looked out of sync, with Chad Morris back in place as coordinator after being away from the program for about 12 years. Quarterback play has been substandard, and the running game has been even worse.
If Clemson is going to climb out of this mess in the situations that matter most, Morris has to get a few things fixed fast. First, the offensive line has to wake up.
Matt Luke’s front five has not given Clemson much to brag about, whether it was the early test against LSU or the Georgia Southern game that stretched into early Sunday morning. Wake up!
Second, Tait Reynolds needs easier throws on first and second down. This will be his career start after taking over for Christopher Vizzina, and while he brings talent and some mobility as a true freshman, the short-to-medium passing game should be the place to build his confidence. That kind of rhythm can also create more manageable third downs and give him a chance to use his legs.
The third piece is leaning harder on the wide receiver group, which is the one offensive unit that can be trusted right now. That means TJ Moore has to keep producing, while Bryant Wesco Jr. and Tyler Brown need to make even more plays when the game is on the line. The freshmen and the tight ends have to contribute, too.
For Morris, this is the kind of game that can shape whether his second stint as Clemson’s offensive coordinator keeps moving forward. He needs to show he is the right fit, and he’ll have to do it against a Bill Belichick defense.
The UNC head coach might be licking his chops when it comes to what he sees from Clemson. Go make the big difference!
Swinney may not like what he has seen out of Clemson's offense, so he must light a fire into Morris.
In Other News...
Clemson Suddenly Has A UNC Defense Problem Fans Didn't See Coming
Brian Belichicks role change on the North Carolina sideline adds another layer to a matchup Clemson has been circling since the season opened. After Steve Belichicks resignation as defensive coordinator, Brian Belichick took over the defensive play-calling duties and handled that responsibility in the first two games, where the Tar Heels were able to keep opponents scoring in check. For Clemson, it means preparing for a defense that already has a new voice directing it and a more streamlined staff structure around it.
It also gives Bill Belichick more room to focus on the other parts of the team, including offense and special teams, which could make North Carolina a little harder to project in the weeks ahead. Clemson fans may have been watching the broader storyline around the Tar Heels staff shake-up, but the real issue is how quickly the defense can settle under the new arrangement and whether that early stability holds when the schedule turns tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Faces One Brutal Reality In Any Dabo Swinney Debate
Dabo Swinneys place at Clemson has long been tied to more than just wins and losses. Since taking over in 2008, he has turned the Tigers into a national power, piling up a 187-53 record, multiple College Football Playoff trips and two national championships while cementing himself as one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport on a 10-year, $115 million deal that runs through 2031.
That contract is also what makes any serious Swinney debate so difficult for Clemson. The buyout protections are massive, especially if the school were to move on before 2027 or if Swinney were to leave for certain programs, which leaves the Tigers staring at a financial reality that can shape every conversation about the future. Even when the scrutiny grows, Clemson is not dealing with a simple coaching decision. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson's Defensive Progress Comes With One Big UNC Concern
Clemsons defense took a clear step forward in the 22-7 win over Georgia Southern, especially against the run, where the Tigers held the Eagles to just 22 rushing yards. Dabo Swinney singled out defensive end Will Heldt and transfer defensive tackle Devarrick Woods for the way they helped set the tone, a good sign for a group that needed a cleaner, more physical showing.
Vic Burleys return added another layer to the conversation, but his availability heading into North Carolina is still worth watching closely. He was reinstated after serving a suspension, yet Clemsons latest depth chart did not include him for the matchup, leaving one of the more intriguing defensive pieces in a gray area as the Tigers prepare for a bigger test. [Read more 🡒]