Clemson may have left Memorial Stadium with a win over Troy, but analyst Todd McShay walked away more concerned than ever about the Tigers’ offense. In his eyes, the issues that started in the season-opening loss to LSU weren’t just lingering — they might be growing.
“I’m more concerned about Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense after this win against Troy than I was after the loss to LSU,” McShay said. “We all know Cade is a phenomenal quarterback. We’ve seen the tape, we’ve seen him get better, we’ve seen him make special plays. But none of that matters if you can’t protect him and if the weapons aren’t where they’re supposed to be.”
Protection Problems Exposed
McShay pointed to the foundation of Clemson’s offensive struggles: the inability to keep Klubnik clean in the pocket. “You’re not comfortable, you start rushing throws, you make bad decisions, you don’t trust your protection or your receivers,” he explained.
The LSU loss could have been chalked up to Week 1 jitters. But after a rain-delayed, disjointed performance against Troy, McShay believes the warning lights are flashing. “That first drive of the second half when Troy had Clemson backed up? They ran it eight times in 10 plays. They don’t trust their protection,” McShay said. “This is Troy. How are you not more scared after this game?”
Klubnik’s Talent Overshadowed
It wasn’t long ago that Klubnik was a rising star, carving up defenses and sparking Clemson’s playoff push last year. His signature moment — a long run against Pitt in the College Football Playoff — showed the kind of dual-threat dynamism that had Tigers fans dreaming of a new golden era.
But McShay fears that if the offensive line and receivers don’t hold up, Klubnik’s potential could be wasted. “We know what Klubnik is,” he said. “But if you can’t protect him, if the elements around him aren’t stable, the whole thing breaks down.”
What’s Next for Clemson?
Clemson still boasts four returning starters up front and an arsenal of talent, but the execution hasn’t matched the résumés. With ACC play looming, the Tigers must find answers — fast.
McShay’s bottom line was blunt: “You’re still Clemson. You’ve still got the talent. But right now? They don’t trust their protection. And if that doesn’t change, Cade Klubnik won’t be the quarterback everyone knows he can be.”
The Tigers may be 1–1, but the bigger battle isn’t against their next opponent. It’s against their own offensive flaws — and whether they can fix them before the season slips away.