The Clemson Tigers faced a tough test in their season opener.
Coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers travel to Atlanta for Saturday's game against the Georgia Bulldogs, a team that has won two of the last three College Football Playoff National Championships.
Clemson's 34-3 loss to the Bulldogs was one of the most lopsided losses of Swinney's tenure, and while the loss sparked many questions about the direction of the team, ESPN college football analyst Booger McFarland offered his thoughts on the causes of the Tigers' recent underperformance.
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Former NFL player and current NFL commentator Booger McFarland watches before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Scott Tetch/Getty Images)
From McFarland's perspective, a lack of creativity on offense has hampered Clemson, as the Tigers managed just 188 yards of total offense on Saturday.
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“It's unfortunate, but it's the same old thing over and over again,” McFarland said on Saturday's broadcast. “There's no creativity on offense. It's been the same stale offense for four or five years. … If you're a Clemson fan, you have to ask yourself, when is that going to change?”
Swinney's approach to the transfer portal has been widely criticized, and McFarland suggested Swinney's roster-building philosophy needs to change in order for Clemson to have as competitive a roster as possible.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis – USA Today Sports)
“Dabo chose not to (use the portal), so that creates a plateau for the program,” McFarland said, “and unfortunately, right now they're a little stagnant.”
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnick (2) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. (Brett Davis – USA Today Sports)
Swinney was asked about the transfer portal after the blowout loss.
“People are going to say what they want to say,” Swinney said, via Clemson Wire. “It doesn't matter what I say. People are going to say what they want to say. And when you lose like this, they have the right to say what they want to say. So say what you want to say, write what you want to write. That's the way it is. That's all there is to it.”
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Swinney and the Tigers will have a chance to get back on the winning track when they host Appalachian State on Sept. 7.
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