Clemson technically has three more games left, including its bowl, but this really does feel like season over for the Tigers. As soon as Tait Reynolds injured his knee on the first offensive series of the game, Clemson was going to be so up against it offensively. Trent Pearman came in and did pretty much nothing before eventually giving way to a hobbled Christopher Vizzina, who was playing on one ankle.
Still, Clemson should not have gotten worked the way it did against Georgia Tech at home in Week 11. The Death Valley struggles continue for the Tigers, as they have lost nine of their last 11 home games against Power Four teams, dating back to early November 2024. Georgia Tech had lost four games in a row and was 2-7 coming in. Yet, the conference rival from Atlanta looked like the far superior team.
Clemson had issues holding onto the ball, protecting its quarterback, and, above all else, stopping the rushing attack of Georgia Tech. Whoever did better running it and stopping the run would win. In a game where old-school football was always going to win it, Clemson played pitifully once its starting quarterback went out due to injury. The Tigers should not have collapsed like a house of cards today.
Dabo Swinney may not win another game the rest of the year at Clemson
This is the harsh reality of the situation. If you can lose to a Georgia Tech team at home by multiple scores, one that just saw Brent Key fire four key assistants from his staff on Monday, you can lose to anyone. Since Clemson's last two games of the season will be against two surging teams from the Carolinas, Duke and South Carolina, this may very well be a 6-6 team heading into the bowl game.
Duke may have a brutal end to its season with a Miami loss in Week 11, Clemson at home on a Friday night, and then finishing the year at Wake Forest. However, this Clemson team we saw today is bound to suffer a fifth loss on the campaign if it plays like this again in six days. As for the home date with South Carolina, if you cannot stop Georgia Tech running the ball, how can you stop LaNorris Sellers?
Yes, this game quickly got out of hand for the Tigers, but not really. With the way Clemson's offense looked on Saturday, Georgia Tech having a double-digit lead for the better part of this game felt like an impossible ask for Chad Morris' offense. Frankly, this should be his last day of employment as part of this Clemson staff. Sadly, Swinney's last win of his Clemson career may have come last week.
Bowl games are always a tricky proposition to forecast, but if the Tigers are riding a three-game losing streak at 6-6, why would Graham Neff and Clemson's many big-pocketed boosters agree to one more year of this offensive nonsense? Swinney's son Clay will be done holding kicks. The game is changing rapidly for Swinney. He has been in this job for two decades, but it might be time to leave.
When Swinney was in his bag as a head coach, he would never lose to a team as bad as Georgia Tech.
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