Clemson, South Carolina – The Clemson Tigers have had a rough start to their season, plunging all the way into the Bottom 25 rankings after three games. Initially, they were hailed as a formidable opponent, sitting at No. 4 in the AP preseason poll. However, their journey through the first few weeks has shown a far different picture as they currently sit at just 1-2.
The Tigers kicked off their season with a disappointing offensive performance that saw them go backwards on their first drive, culminating in a three-and-out followed by a sack. Since then, Clemson has struggled to regain its footing. The lone victory came in a Week 2 matchup against Troy, but it was anything but inspiring as they trailed 16-0 at one point. Adding to their woes, Troy itself looked weak in its next game, only managing 112 yards of offense in a 28-7 loss to Memphis.
Clemson also lost its ACC opener against Georgia Tech, further complicating its hopes for the season. To even think about making the College Football Playoff, they must find a way to win every remaining game. This Week 4, they will face a Syracuse team that is not much of a challenge on paper, providing an opportunity for the Tigers to break free from their slump.
(The Tigers’ offense this season has drastically declined, moving from a robust average of 451.9 yards per game last year to just 319.3 yards this season, ranking 109th nationally. Additionally, their once-stalwart defense is failing to meet the expectations set before the season began.)
Clemson is not alone in its struggles. Other schools within the ACC are also making appearances in the Bottom 25 rankings. The Bottom 25 standings this week include teams with disappointing performances, such as Boston College, which lost to Stanford after squandering a 17-6 lead. The game started late in the evening, raising the question of how many fans were actually awake to follow the conclusion.
As teams look ahead, the pressure mounts for those in the Bottom 25 to turn their seasons around. With meetings against teams ranked lower than themselves, there may still be a chance for redemption for Clemson and others who find themselves in a similar situation.
