Decisive Clemson loss shows how far program has fallen

Clemson was outclassed on Saturday.

Associated Press No. 1 Georgia left no doubt who was the better team in a 34-3 win over No. 14 Clemson.

Not long ago, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had his program contending with Alabama as the best team in college football.

With the decisive loss to Georgia, Clemson proved again that it is no longer among the sport’s elite.

From 2015-2020 (six seasons), Clemson went 79-7. Since the start of the 2021 season, the Tigers are 30-11, with Swinney stubbornly refusing to adapt to the college football’s current transfer portal era.

In May, Swinney defended Clemson’s inactivity in the portal. “We’ve been very consistent, even the last three years,” Swinney said. (h/t CBS Sports)

“There’s a perception, a narrative that gets drummed up that we stink, that we’re no good because we haven’t made a Final Four. We made six years in a row,” he added, keeping one eye looking backward.

That’s been the Tigers’ problem in recent years. Swinney has relied on past accomplishments instead of Clemson’s recent track record to defend his performance.

Based on how uninspired Clemson played against Georgia, particularly on offense, it makes sense why Swinney would want to look backward instead of forward.

Per Game On Paper, Clemson averaged 3.62 yards per play and was credited with only one explosive play.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik struggled, finishing 18-of-29 for 142 yards and an interception.

Swinney had Clemson at the top of the college football ladder a half-decade ago, but his inaction in the portal has accelerated the program’s steep fall from its peak.

Saturday’s ugly loss to Georgia should be a wake-up call. Swinney’s way of running his program might have worked in the past, but it’s holding Clemson back from being a contender in this era of college football.