“IS CLEMSON STILL A BIG GAME PROGRAM”
It was just last year when Josh Pate posed the question that still lingers in the minds of many around college football: Is Clemson still a big-game program? That question referenced to when the Tigers squared off against SMU in the ACC Championship — a matchup loaded with intrigue and significance.
Fast forward to this Saturday. While this week’s game against SMU doesn’t carry the same championship stakes, it quietly feels like a defining moment in Clemson’s 2025 season. Make no mistake — this is not Boston College or North Carolina walking into Death Valley. SMU has more bite, more talent, and far more to prove.
So does Clemson.
A win this weekend wouldn't just boost the Tigers' record — it might finally show the fans that this team can beat an opponent with a pulse. And maybe, just maybe, it would offer tangible signs that the Tigers are finally turning the corner after a tumultuous start.
Yes, the last two weeks have felt like major wins. And in many ways, they were. But even as the scoreboard tilts in Clemson’s favor, some fans remain unconvinced. Questions continue to swirl — especially about the quarterback position and what the future holds beyond Cade Klubnik.
Backup Chris Vizzina has seen the field in spots, but for many, the sample size is already enough. The chorus calling for Clemson to hit the transfer portal in 2026 is growing louder. That said, it’s a tough — maybe even unfair — ask to evaluate a young quarterback based on limited reps and conservative play-calling.
Still, concerns aren’t unwarranted. With Cade likely moving on after this season, the Tigers' quarterback picture for 2026 is hazy at best.
That’s a conversation for another day, though.
Right now, Dabo Swinney and his staff are focused on the task directly in front of them: preparing a team that’s starting to find its identity. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen has moved down to the field, a decision that’s raised some eyebrows but doesn’t seem to be a major turning point — at least not yet. Whether he’s in the box or on the sidelines matters little if the defense plays fast and together.
Despite the noise, there’s been a noticeable uptick in cohesion and performance these past two weeks, albeit against lesser opponents. The Tigers are staying together — no small feat in an era of instant gratification and transfer windows. Dabo knows full well that keeping this locker room united is key to closing the season strong, regardless of what the final record says.
Still, the portal looms. Clemson could face player departures at a level it hasn’t seen before. Yet historically, the Tigers have done an impressive job with retention, thanks in large part to the culture Swinney has built. Whether that holds true this year remains to be seen.
For now, we’ll steer clear of speculation. These are deeply personal decisions made by young men and their families — not fodder for predictions or message board debates.
Saturday represents a fork in the road for Clemson. It could be the launchpad for a strong finish, or it could mark the beginning of an all-too-familiar late-season unraveling. One thing is certain: Dabo Swinney is pushing every button, tweaking every lever, trying to get this group locked in and ready to roll.
Because whether Clemson is still a big-game program or not — well, that answer may start to take shape at Memorial Stadium this weekend.