The Clemson Tigers faced a tough test in their first game of the season.
Head coach Dabo Swiney and the Tigers traveled to Atlanta for Saturday's matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs, a team that has won two of the last three College Football Playoff National Championships.
Clemson's 34-3 loss to the Bulldogs was one of the most lopsided defeats of Swiney's tenure. The loss raised numerous questions about the direction of the program, but ESPN college football analyst Booger McFarland shared his thoughts on what he believes has contributed to the Tigers' shortcomings in recent years.
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Former NFL player and current NFL analyst Booger McFarland looks on before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
From McFarland's perspective, the lack of creativity on offense has been a liability for Clemson. The Tigers managed just 188 total yards of offense on Saturday.
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“I'm afraid it's business as usual,” McFarland said during Saturday's broadcast.[There is] There's no creativity on offense. It's been the same stagnant offense for four or five years… If you're a Clemson fan, you have to ask yourself: When are we going to change?
Swiney's approach to the transfer portal has been widely criticized. McFarland suggested that Swiney's philosophy on roster building would have to change in order for Clemson to have the most competitive roster possible.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney on the field before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
“Dabo chooses not to do it [use the portal]”So there will be breaks in the program,” McFarland said. “And I'm afraid that, at the moment, there is a bit of a break.”
August 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Swiney was asked about the transfer portal after the crushing loss.
“People are going to say what they want to say,” Swinney said, via ClemsonWire. “It doesn't matter what I say. People are going to say what they want to say. And when you lose like that, they have every right to say what they want to say. So, say what you want to say, write what you want to write. That's part of it. It's just part of it.”
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Swiney and the Tigers will have a chance to get back on track Sept. 7 when they host Appalachian State.
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