Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, and quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) after the game with Troy at Memorial Stadium Saturday, September 6, 2025 in Clemson, S.C.

Remember what college football looked and felt like 10 years ago? Dabo Swinney and Clemson battled Nick Saban and Alabama for college football supremacy. From 2015 through 2018, Alabama or Clemson won four straight national championships, creating a duopoly akin to what men's tennis has right now with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Only two competitors were going to win. It was only a question of A or B. Everyone else was a few notches lower in the sport. Fast-forward to 2025. Clemson just lost to Georgia Tech. It's a seismic development for so many reasons in college football.

It's true that Clemson was shorthanded in this game. Clemson Wire noted that a number of important Tigers were unavailable to play against Georgia Tech. Clemson starting receiver Antonio Williams (hamstring), left tackle Tristan Leigh (lower body), safety Khalil Barnes (hamstring), and offensive lineman Elyjah Thurmon did not play any snaps on Saturday in Atlanta. It's fair to note that Clemson did not enter this game under ideal circumstances.

Yet, that can't and shouldn't be the end of the discussion for Clemson. Let's have that conversation:

Not ready to play

Clemson was not ready to play this game. Georgia Tech stormed to a 13-0 lead, and the Yellow Jackets left points on the table with a number of drives which fizzled deep in Clemson territory. Georgia Tech looked faster and hungrier in the first 20 minutes. That can't be entirely chalked up to injuries. Brent Key of Georgia Tech outcoached Dabo Swinney.

Cade Klubnik can't play complete games

Cade Klubnik spent much of 2024 playing inconsistent games against quality opponents. He didn't play well against Georgia. He was spotty against South Carolina. He was less than great against Louisville. He wobbled in the second half against SMU before rescuing that game late. 2025 was supposed to be the year in which Klubnik, with ample experience, finally produced 60-minute masterpieces against good teams. He didn't do that against LSU, and he didn't do that against Georgia Tech. It's true that Clemson's offensive line isn't great (more on that later), but Klubnik stumbled on some plays and had miscommunications with teammates on a few other plays. He was not objectively good even when grading on a curve and factoring in the injuries to his offense. This simply isn't the standard Klubnik expects of himself. No one would say he is making the grade.

Garrett Riley

On paper, Garrett Riley -- Lincoln Riley's brother -- looked like a great hire by Dabo Swinney. Much like Luke Fickell at Wisconsin, it seemed like a brilliant move. I liked it when it happened. Sometimes, the right move just doesn't work out. It's a mystery, but Riley plainly hasn't gotten the job done. He has not helped Cade Klubnik evolve. The lack of evolution in this offense is striking. It's part of the story of Clemson's stagnation.

Transfer portal

Dabo Swinney has made it a point to not embrace the transfer portal the way other programs have done. Clemson is supposed to be the program which maxes out home-grown players such as Klubnik. That approach simply isn't cutting it. Dabo has some really big decisions to make heading into 2026 and the next portal window.

Road to Charlotte is narrow

Miami looks good. Florida State looks good. Georgia Tech has a favorable schedule and a head-to-head tiebreaker over Clemson. The Tigers face an uphill battle to make the ACC Championship Game. They are in real trouble.

Run the table

Clemson is 1-2 after three games. This means the Tigers have to run the table to make the ACC title game and the College Football Playoff. Another ACC loss very likely puts the Tigers behind Florida State, Miami, and Georgia Tech, which means Clemson won't win the ACC and get the automatic qualifier spot for the playoff. That's how the Tigers got in last year despite three losses. This year's team can't lose a third game.

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama

If Kalen DeBoer fails at Alabama and falls onto the hot seat, Dabo Swinney could be a natural choice to take over in Tuscaloosa, given that he played for Alabama in the 1990s under Gene Stallings. However, this downturn at Clemson means Dan Lanning could have the inside track if the Bama job comes open.

Florida State and Miami

Clemson losing could give us the ACC Championship Game matchup we have not yet seen, and which we all felt -- back in 2005 -- would be a regular feature of ACC football seasons: Florida State versus Miami. It will be fascinating to see if the ACC season finally gives us the Sunshine State Showdown, all because of this Dabo downfall.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Loss to Georgia Tech confirms that Dabo Swinney has lost his fastball at Clemson

Reporting by Matt Zemek, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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