What’s happening to the Tigers?

It wasn’t long ago that the 2025 Clemson Tigers were being hailed as one of the elite title contenders in college football. National analysts and preseason panels were practically tripping over themselves to project the Tigers into the College Football Playoff — maybe even all the way to the top.

But fast forward just two weeks into the season, and that narrative has taken a nosedive.

Clemson now finds itself outside the Top 10, with a cloud of skepticism hovering above the program. Many of the same media voices that once praised Dabo Swinney’s squad are now turning a cold shoulder, their tone shifting from admiration to concern — if not outright criticism.

What Went Wrong?

It all started with a thud in the season opener against LSU, a matchup that many believed would be a launchpad for Clemson’s offensive fireworks. Instead, it became a showcase of stagnation. The Tigers sputtered on offense, struggling to find rhythm, identity, or any sense of explosiveness — leaving fans and experts alike scratching their heads.

After an offseason filled with bold declarations and high-octane optimism, the product on the field felt…flat. Disconnected. Confusing.

Now, questions swirl around the offensive decision-making. Who exactly is pulling the strings in the playcalling department? Are the schemes and personnel in sync? Or worse — are the players being let down by the very system meant to elevate them?

A Narrow Escape — and an Ironic Twist

Week 2 didn’t do much to calm nerves either. Facing Troy — a team many expected Clemson to dispatch with ease — the Tigers found themselves down 16-0 at one point in the first half. For those keeping score at home, that’s the same “16-0” Dabo referenced during the offseason, presumably to symbolize perfection. Oh, the irony.

But to Clemson’s credit, what followed was a second-half surge that reminded everyone of this team's potential. The Tigers roared back, scoring 27 unanswered points and ultimately securing a much-needed win. It was a gritty, gutsy performance — one that could’ve easily spiraled into disaster.

Dabo Swinney himself acknowledged that resilience in his postgame presser, highlighting the grit and fight his team showed when backed into a corner. And he wasn’t wrong — that second-half display could very well be the emotional pivot this team needed.

The Bigger Picture

So what now?

Despite the early turbulence, there’s still reason to believe the Tigers can right the ship. The roster is loaded with talent. The tools are there. This isn’t the first time Clemson has started slow only to find their stride late. Sound familiar?

If this team still has College Football Playoff aspirations — and make no mistake, they do — it’s going to start with offensive rhythm. Quarterback Cade Klubnik must find a way to slow the game down mentally, and rediscover the tempo and confidence that made him such a promising leader last year.

The chemistry with his receivers, so far, has been hit-or-miss. Timing issues, miscommunications, and occasional drops have disrupted any sense of consistency. And to be fair to Klubnik, his supporting cast hasn’t exactly been elite through two weeks. The offense isn’t just out of sync — it’s looked flat-out disjointed at times.

Adding to the complications? The injury bug. Star wideout and WR1 Antonio Williams missed most of Week 1 and was sidelined for all of Week 2. Losing your top target — and safety valve — is a recipe for offensive inconsistency. The Tigers are hopeful to get him back sooner rather than later, which would be a huge boost for Klubnik and the passing attack.

On the defensive side, the front line still needs to develop and mature. While the secondary has held its own, it’s the trench battles that will determine whether this defense can rise to the level needed to carry the team through rough stretches.

Time to Breathe — and Reboot

Here’s the bottom line: everything Clemson wants is still on the table.

Fans — take a breath. The Tigers have plenty of growing to do, yes. But the season is far from over, and the opportunity to turn this thing around is right in front of them.

That turnaround needs to start this week, as Clemson hits the road to face Georgia Tech. A sneaky-good Yellow Jackets team has already become a trendy upset pick in the media — and you can bet Dabo is well aware of that chatter. As if he needed any more motivation to fire up the troops.

The Honeymoon is Over — Now What?

Let’s call it like it is: the offseason honeymoon is officially over. The glowing media praise has morphed into pointed questions and raised eyebrows. But just because the spotlight has dimmed doesn’t mean the Tigers are out of the picture.

In fact, this might be the perfect time for Clemson to circle the wagons, rediscover their edge, and remind the nation why they were getting all that hype in the first place.

If Dabo’s past teams have taught us anything, it’s that they’re not afraid of adversity. And if he’s already asking the critics to “throw mud” — well, it might just be time for the Tigers to return the favor… and make them eat it.