The Clemson Tigers are feeling good. And why wouldn't they be? After a shaky 1-3 start that had the Tiger faithful questioning everything, Dabo Swinney's squad has rattled off two straight blowout wins against ACC opponents. The offense is clicking, the defense is suffocating, and all seems right in Death Valley. But as the Tigers prepare for their upcoming matchup against a scrappy SMU team, a dangerous sense of complacency could be setting in. And in college football, complacency is a killer.
Let's be clear: the Tigers should absolutely be on high alert. While the wins over a struggling North Carolina and a floundering Boston College have padded the stats and boosted morale, they've also masked some serious underlying issues that a more formidable opponent could exploit.--not to mention the revenge factor of having lost to Clemson on a last-second field goal in last year's ACC Championship.
The Klubnik Question Mark
First and foremost is the health of quarterback Cade Klubnik. While he's expected to play after an ankle injury against Boston College, any limitation to his mobility could be a significant blow to the Tigers' offense. Klubnik's ability to extend plays with his legs has been a crucial element of their recent success, and if he's a step slow, the entire offensive game plan could be compromised.
A Deceptive Defense?
On the other side of the ball, the Tigers' defense has looked dominant in the past two weeks. But let's consider the competition. North Carolina and Boston College are not offensive juggernauts. A deeper dive into the season's stats reveals a run defense that has been porous at times and a secondary that is susceptible to the deep ball. SMU has the offensive firepower to test this unit in ways they haven't been tested since their early-season losses.
The Intangibles: A Perfect Storm for an Upset
This game has all the makings of a classic "trap game." Clemson is coming off two easy wins, they're playing at home, and they're likely already looking ahead to tougher conference matchups down the road. SMU, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to make a statement on a national stage. A win over Clemson would be a redemption moment for the Mustangs, and you can bet they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder.
So, while the Tigers may be favored on paper, this game is far from a guaranteed win. If Clemson comes out flat, if Klubnik is less than 100%, and if the defense can't contain SMU's playmakers, we could be looking at one of the biggest upsets of the college football season. The Tigers have been warned. The question is, will they listen?