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Clemson Football: Ranking all 11 seasons of the Dabo Swinney era

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers greets fans during the Tiger Walk prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers greets fans during the Tiger Walk prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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1. 2018 (Best Ever)

Record: 15-0

Notable Games:

  • 28-26 win at Texas A&M
  • 41-7 win vs. No. 16 NC State
  • 27-7 win at No. 17 Boston College
  • 42-10 win vs. Pittsburgh in ACC Championship
  • 30-3 win vs. No. 3 Notre Dame in CFB Playoff
  • 44-16 win vs. Alabama in National Championship

*This is the only season in the Dabo Swinney era where the Tigers didn’t lose a single game*

Many may consider the 2016 season to be ahead of the 2018 season simply because of the amount of top-25 teams the Tiger faced in the regular season and the fact that it ended with the first National Championship and that’s a valid argument.

Also, from a fan’s perspective, there were many more exciting moments during that 2016 season than in the 2018 season, but you have to look at the dominance to truly appreciate why this is the best season Dabo Swinney’s coaching career.

The Tigers simply didn’t lose. They played a total of one close game the entire season and finished as the first 15-0 team in the modern era of College Football.

All of that was done with a freshman QB at the helm by the name of Trevor Lawrence.

Oh, and I didn’t even mention that Clemson capped off its amazing run with a dominating 44-16 win over Alabama, officially taking the throne as the king of College Football.

Next. UofSC's 2021 class is ranked behind all 14 ACC schools. dark

Clemson was simply better than every team in the country that season and that dominance shouldn’t be taken for granted or forgotten. ‘Best Ever’ is a real argument for this team and it’s clear that Swinney will always remember this group for the special feat they were able to accomplish.

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