The Clemson Tigers first broke the top 25 under head coach Dabo Swinney in 2011, winning the program’s 18th Atlantic Coast Conference Title that same year. The next three years were similar: 11-2 (11th), 11-2 (8th), and 10-3 (15th). In the past four years, the Tigers have secured three bowl victories. In the past five years, Dabo Swinney has sent 24 players to the NFL.
Sure, Clemson was a respectable competitor and fairly dominant in the ACC, but when the Tigers claimed a 24-22 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame during week five in ruthless conditions brought about by Hurricane Joaquin, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers changed their designation from “competitor” to “College Football Playoff Contender”.
Clemson Tigers: From Competitor to CFP Contender
With wins in recent years against top ranking programs such as Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina, Auburn, and LSU, there’s no question that Clemson is able to win on some of the biggest stages of college football. Despite having double-digit wins in each of the past four seasons, we hadn’t seen the consistency or championship-caliber team that we’re seeing now in 2015.
While Clemson fans and analysts recognized this in early September when the Tigers opened their season, most bought into the Tiger’s undertaking after a statement win over Notre Dame. The Tigers ran for 199 yards, taking an early 14-0 lead that they would hold for most of the first half. On the other side of the ball, the Tiger’s defense would hold Notre Dame’s star running back C.J. Prosise to only 50 yards on 15 carries, a mere 3.3 yards per carry. Clemson sacked quarterback DeShone Kizer four times, and recorded nine tackles for loss.
Fast-forward two weeks and two wins for the Tigers, and this Saturday’s dominating 58-0 win over Miami have any doubters converted.
The Tigers traveled to Miami and successfully left 7-0 after delivering the largest margin of defeat in Hurricane history. Another Tiger-factoid; rushing 416 yards against Miami, Clemson recorded the most by any Tiger team since 2006. In pregame interviews, Dabo Swinney said the keys to the game against Miami were in the hands of the Clemson defensive line in winning match-ups and big plays from the secondary. The Tiger held Miami to 13-32 for 93 yards with three interceptions.
Sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson only needed less than three quarters to record an impressive 15-19, 143 yards, and two touchdowns before Nick Schuessier took over at play caller. The Georgia native is considered by some to be the best dual-threat quarterback in college football, and it’s no wonder. Watson is 116/170 this season, recording 1410 yards and 14 touchdowns.
What was most interesting about the Tiger win was not the score, but the halftime speech. Clemson had done everything right against Miami as they headed into the second half, but Dabo Swinney didn’t think so. With a nearly empty Sun Life Stadium, Swinney kept his team on the field for halftime. Many, including myself, took to Twitter, thinking the Tigers were just rubbing in the 42-0 lead but it was the opposite. Swinney was reprimanding his team about winning with class. ESPN camera crews caught some of the dialogue:
“You be who we are. You understand me? You be who we are. You don’t be anything other than what Clemson is. You win with class, you lose with class. You got everybody out here; you got kids, you got ladies. This is Clemson! It ain’t about them.”
This followed pregame scuffles between the two teams as well on field antics by both sides. Dabo’s message was heard loud and clear by his team as they went on to score another 16 points in the second.
Saturday’s commanding rout of Miami does more than put the Tigers at 7-0; it’s a complete statement. Every game on the Tiger’s schedule is crucial this season. Swinney has said it best from Clemson’s point-of-view after Saturday’s win.
“Each and every week we come in and have the same message – it’s the biggest game of the season. They’ve taken ownership of what we do and our message. Today was flawless.”
From Wofford in Week 1 to Notre Dame and Florida State, it’s plain and simple; the Tigers have to win out if they want a shot at the four-team playoff. That’s how it is, especially for a team out of the ACC this year. Sure, the winning-out is routine and expected, but a 58-0 rout on the road is more than predictable, it’s proving. This Clemson team is hungry, winning is their mindset. The Tigers aren’t looking to just compete anymore; they’re here to contend. And they’re here to stay.
Main Photo via Getty Images Sport
