Clemson Fans Won’t Like This Post-Week 1 Prediction for Tigers

In an article by Bill Connelly that was published this week (subscription required), the ESPN staff writer gave his “overreactions” after Week 1 of the college football season, making bold statements about various teams – including Clemson – based on the opening week of action.

Connelly’s overreaction for the Tigers? It’s one that Clemson fans won’t like to see:

“Clemson is going 7-5.”

Here’s some of what Connelly had to say about the aforementioned statement and the “trouble for Clemson” that could be ahead after the Tigers’ 0-1 start and 34-3 loss to Georgia last Saturday in Atlanta:

“The depth chart holes that began to appear in 2021 still haven’t been addressed sufficiently, and the “Clemson offense” that has produced some of the fewest big plays in the country for years was almost completely incapable of damaging the Georgia defense, gaining just 188 yards in 52 snaps. Peter Woods and the Clemson defense tried their best, forcing either punts or field goals on Georgia’s first five drives. But they couldn’t stress quarterback Carson Beck much, and eventually a combination of Clemson demoralization and pure Georgia meanness set in: The Dawgs scored touchdowns on four of five drives in the second half.

… We really don’t know what the future of college football roster management holds. Scholarship counts are changing; rosters will be capped; and player compensation is being revamped. That Swinney would want to stick to his guns until these rounds of change are complete makes some sense. But while plenty of decent teams get thumped by Georgia, the Clemson we saw Saturday got obliterated. The Tigers didn’t just look like a team far from the standard of the top 10 or 15; they looked like a team that could lose quite a few more games this season. Granted, almost no one else in the ACC looks better — aside from the one we’re about to discuss next — but it doesn’t feel like much of an overreaction to think that a three-year slide at Clemson will continue apace into a fourth year.”

If Connelly’s 7-5 record prediction turned out to be true, it would be the Tigers’ fewest wins in a season since 2010 when Clemson went 6-7.

Last season, Clemson saw its streak of 12 consecutive double-digit win seasons come to an end. However, after a 4-4 start, the Tigers won their final five games to finish the year 9-4 and reach nine-plus wins for the 13th consecutive season – the nation’s second-longest active streak, and tied for fourth in major college football history.

The Tigers – now ranked No. 22 in the Coaches Poll, and No. 25 in the AP Top 25 Poll – will try to get in the win column this weekend when they host their home opener against App State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday (8 p.m., ACC Network).

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!