Offense: D-
Cade Klubnik entered the season billed as a breakout star, but he struggled to establish rhythm against LSU’s secondary. While he flashed mobility and extended plays, the accuracy and big-play execution weren’t there. Clemson finished with just 10 points at home, a number that simply won’t cut it against elite competition. The offensive line — supposedly a strength — was overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum noted, “LSU was so much more physical on the line of scrimmage that we thought was going to be Clemson’s calling card.”
Defense: B
Tom Allen’s defense kept Clemson in the game, forcing LSU into long drives and limiting explosive plays. But in crunch time, the Tigers’ front seven failed to consistently disrupt LSU quarterback play. The secondary bent but didn’t completely break, though losing the physical battle in the trenches ultimately sealed Clemson’s fate.
Special Teams: C+
No game-breaking mistakes, but also no momentum-swinging plays. In a game decided by just one score, special teams had a chance to flip the script — and didn’t.
Coaching: D+
This one falls on Dabo Swinney and his staff. The offense looked predictable, the O-line unprepared, and the Tigers were out-schemed in critical moments. LSU head coach Brian Kelly “called his shot” and backed it up, while Swinney’s staff looked reactive. Clemson fans expecting a national title contender instead saw a team still searching for answers.
Overall: C-
The offseason hype painted Clemson as a legitimate College Football Playoff threat. But after a deflating 17-10 home loss to LSU, the Tigers look more like a team with glaring flaws than one ready to reclaim national dominance. Next up: a critical showdown with Florida — but it no longer feels like the playoff-defining matchup many expected.