TIME TO TALK ABOUT CLEMSON.

Time to Talk: Addressing the Tough Questions Facing Clemson Football

Over the past few weeks, the volume of frustration surrounding Clemson football has spiked dramatically. Questions have come in droves. So have the critiques — some fair, others less so. Tonight, I’m sitting down to tackle a few of the more pointed inquiries I’ve heard in person. Let’s get into it.

1. “What happened to Cade? Why does it feel like nothing is clicking for him?”

This question doesn’t lend itself to a tidy, one-line answer. It’s not just one thing — it’s a constellation of issues converging at once.

I could tell you I’ve got sources who say there’s a genuine disconnect between Cade Klubnik and his wide receivers. But frankly, you don’t need insider info to see that. The lack of cohesion on the field speaks volumes.

Is Cade the only problem with this offense? Absolutely not. But even he would admit the urgency of stepping up — for the sake of his team, and for the future he envisions at the next level. The margin for error is gone. The clock is ticking.

2. “Why does it feel like Dabo has just turned into a preacher? And why does he keep making excuses at the podium?”

Alright, read this closely — because it's crucial to understand the full picture.

What Dabo Swinney says publicly — to the media, to fans — is very often not what he says behind closed doors. He’s never been a coach to air the program’s dirty laundry or take a flamethrower to his staff and players. He recruited these guys. He hired these coaches. His loyalty is real — but that doesn't mean accountability isn't happening behind the scenes.

In fact, I’m told the mood inside the football offices was plenty tense after the Georgia Tech game.

As for the second part of this question? Let’s tread carefully here.

Dabo’s faith has always been central to who he is. It was true when he hoisted the national title in California, giving praise to God. And it’s still true now, with Clemson sitting at 1–3 and fans looking for someone to blame. Where was the outrage at “Preacher Dabo” back then?

Now, it does seem like he's leaning even more heavily into his faith during this stretch of adversity — and perhaps that's because he’s run out of levers to pull. From what I’ve heard, Dabo is mentally grinding, trying every possible angle to salvage this team. He’s fighting like heck to pull Clemson from the depths of the ACC standings.

And yet... there’s something deeper going on. I’ve recently caught wind of conversations — serious, behind-the-curtain moments — where Dabo may be grappling with a harsh reality.

He knows what has to happen. He sees the mountain ahead. But whether he has the strength or willingness to tear it all down and rebuild — in ways that may contradict the very values that got him here — remains to be seen.

This isn’t 2015 anymore. This is a different college football world. And Dabo Swinney may already be having some brutally tough internal discussions about what’s next.

3. “Can you tell us what the players are personally feeling, and what has happened to our preseason All-American players?”

I want to be respectful here. I can’t speak for every player on a personal level — that’s not my place. But what I can tell you is this: a good number of Tigers in that locker room are embarrassed.

They know the standard. They know what’s expected when you wear that paw. And right now, the product on the field isn’t close to that standard.

What’s most jarring is the regression in basic fundamentals — especially from the guys who came in as preseason first-rounders. Missed tackles. Soft contact. Lazy reps. Face after face getting run through.

It’s not just underwhelming — it’s unacceptable.

And yet, here’s where I’d ask the Clemson faithful to lock in: This is now an eight-game season. The path ahead is clear. And I promise you this — Dabo wants to win more than anyone else.

He’s going to exhaust every option to turn this thing around.

You best believe that.