Things are getting heated at Clemson following the Tigers’ 34-21 loss to Syracuse at home on Saturday afternoon. Not only is Clemson 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC, but head coach Dabo Swinney reached his boiling point last week during his weekly press conference.
Looking to turn things around after losing to Georgia Tech on September 13 on a field goal as time expired, the veteran Clemson head coach instead watched his team get outplayed at home by the Orange. On Sunday, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum called out Swinney on the Matt Barrie Show.
“My advice to Dabo…is get out of there,’’ Finebaum said. “Be quiet. Quit talking. Because he has no credibility now with his fanbase. They’ve heard the whines before. He’s become a meme. For a really good coach, he’s become somewhat of a laughingstock.”
Clemson Heading Into Uncharted Waters
For the first time since 2004, the Tigers have lost three of their first four games to begin a season. Turning things around won’t be easy. They lost their opener to LSU at home after being shut out in the second half, 17-10. One week later, they struggled to beat Troy at home. Clemson fell behind 16-0 in the second quarter before rallying for a 27-16 victory over the Trojans.
A loss at Georgia Tech, which is an ACC dark horse team this season, and now a loss to Syracuse have Clemson searching for answers. Barrie also piled on Clemson and Swinney with Finebaum on his show.
“I can’t remember the last time I saw a team with so many returning stars look like Clemson does after a loss to Syracuse,” said Barrie.
It is up to Swinney to figure things out over the next two weeks. The play of quarterback Cade Klubnik has not helped things. Swinney did not do himself any favors in his press conference last week.
“If Clemson’s tired of winning, they can send me on my way,” Swinney said. “But I’m gonna go somewhere else and coach. I ain’t going to the beach. Hell, I’m 55. I’ve got a long way to go.”
Last year, Clemson needed a Syracuse win over Miami at home on Thanksgiving Weekend just to reach the ACC Championship Game. After beating SMU on a field goal as time expired in Charlotte, they lost to Texas in the 12-team College Football Playoff. They began the 2025 season ranked 4th in the country and the preseason favorites in the ACC. Now, they are left searching for answers.
Clemson is Facing a Long Two Weeks Before Playing North Carolina
If there was a team that needed their first bye of the season in Week 5, it’s Clemson. They get it next weekend and can reset before heading off to Chapel Hill to play North Carolina on October 4.
Things are not going any better for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. They lost 34-9 at Central Florida on Saturday to fall to 2-2. This game was one that a lot of people had circled on their calendar before the season started. Bill Belichick vs. Dabo Swinney, North Carolina vs. Clemson, and all the storylines surrounding it. Instead, this game will be for bowl-eligibility survival at the end of the season.
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