National Analyst Questions How Much Clemson’s Success Related to Generational QBs
By: Staff Report October 23, 2023

The final play of Clemson’s 28-20 loss at Miami on Saturday night drew plenty of reaction on social media.

CBS Sports analyst Barrett Sallee was among those who commented on the Tigers’ fourth-and-goal play from the Hurricanes’ 1-yard line in double overtime, with Clemson trailing by eight points and needing a touchdown with a two-point conversion to keep the game going.

Of course, though, the contest came to an end when Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik faked a handoff from the shotgun and ran left to the outside, where he was chased down by Miami linebacker Corey Flagg for an 8-yard loss that completed the Hurricanes’ comeback victory at Hard Rock Stadium.

Sallee took to Twitter/X with the following post on that play:

Then, on Sunday morning, Sallee took to Twitter/X again. This time, he posed a couple of questions asking how much Clemson’s success under Dabo Swinney was related to having generational quarterbacks at the helm of the offense:

Swinney’s program made a remarkable run of six straight College Football Playoff appearances from 2015-20, and the Tigers won national titles in 2016 and 2018 with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, respectively.

This will mark the third consecutive campaign that Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC) has missed the playoff. Following Saturday’s loss to Miami, the Tigers are now 7-6 in their last 13 games dating back to last season. Clemson has lost at least three games for three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011 and has now lost three ACC games in a season for the first time since 2010.

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