The Clemson football team began up its 2024 season on Saturday with a major showdown against Georgia football. The Bulldogs came into the battle rated #1 in the country, and the Tigers came into it ranked #14 in the country. It was expected to be a fairly competitive game, but Georgia was clearly the far better team, and they ended up breaking away for a stunning 34-13 win. That was not how Clemson wanted to start the year.
Clemson football actually played extremely well on defense in the first half and this was a very competitive game at the break. The Bulldogs were able to move the football a little bit, but they had to settle for a couple field goals, and they were only up 6-0 against the Tigers at halftime. Clemson was right there in this game at the end of the first half.
The third quarter is when things started to go further south for Clemson football. Georgia promptly drove the field and scored a touchdown to start the second half, and after Clemson kicked a field goal to make it 13-3, the Bulldogs drove down the field again and punched it in to make it a three-score game.
Things only got worse in the fourth quarter as Clemson’s offense continued to struggle and the Georgia offensive stayed in a rhythm. The Bulldogs were able to hit the end zone two more times, and they ended up winning the game 34-3.
After a few years of problems, this is not how Dabo Swinney and Clemson football planned to start the year. It’s not like everyone w3as expecting the Tigers to come in and win this game, but the second half was an unmitigated disaster, and Swinney and his staff were significantly outcoached in the second half. Things need to change fast if they are going to have a successful season. If not, Swinney is in trouble.
From 2015-2020, the Clemson football team was one of the best in the country. It was them, Alabama and then everyone else. The Tigers made the College Football Playoff six years in a row during that span, and they won two national championships. Dabo Swinney built a dynasty at Clemson, but ever since 2020, things have been heading south. It looked like the Tigers were constructed for persistent success, and they had complete control of the ACC. Now, it’s been three seasons without a playoff berth, but it will be much easier to qualify in 2024. Things didn’t get off to a good start, though.
With the College Football postseason expanding to 12 teams, it would be a significant letdown if Dabo Swinney can’t get his Tigers into the postseason this year, especially with how weak the ACC is. It looked like biggest threat to Clemson in the ACC was Florida State, but it doesn’t seem like that is the case anymore. The Seminoles are now 0-2 to start the year, and they have two embarassing losses. After week one, Miami seems like the top team.
This is a crucial year for Clemson football and Dabo Swinney. Since things have gone south in recent years, some Tigers supporters are questioning if it could be time to move on from Swinney. Now, he has a fantastic opportunity to get into the College Football Playoff every season due of expansion. However, if he can’t, it could be time for Clemson to move on. This week one setback doesn’t harm Clemson’s ACC prospects, but they need to play better.
Week one was not beautiful, and here are three Tigers to blame for the awful loss to Georgia.
