I guess I was watching a different game than everyone else last week.

All I have heard all week is how bad Clemson’s defense is, and there is no way it can compete with offenses like Miami’s and Oregon’s.

The Clemson defense was not bad. As a matter of fact, it was dominant in the Tigers’ 48-31 win over Virginia last Saturday. Yes, they allowed 31 points, but you have look at when those points were allowed.

Whether it has been the fans on the local radio stations or some in the national media, who did not see the game, they are wondering what is wrong with Clemson’s defense, while taking shots at them and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Here are the facts.

When the game was on the line and the defense had to be at its best, it dominated the Cavaliers, much like it did Wake Forest the week before and Florida State a week before that game.

Granted, Florida State might be the worse team I have seen all year, but the Tigers did what they were supposed to. Clemson held FSU to 13 points, 250 total yards and 22 rushing yards.

Against Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons had just 38 total yards in the second half and 233 overall.

In the Virginia game, Clemson entered the fourth quarter with a 28-point lead, while the defense yielded just 10 points and 172 total yards. The Cavaliers tallied just 105 combined total yards in the second and third quarters.

I agree, this year’s defense is not the 2017 or’18 units. It’s not as good as 2021 or ’23. However, it’s good enough. And, with the exception of the second half against Georgia, it has been really good when it had to be.

For instance. Clemson trailed Wake Forest 7-0 at one point. Starting in the second quarter, Clemson outscored the Demon Deacons 49-7 the rest of the way.

Last week, against Virginia. The Wahoos jumped out to a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter thanks to an interception that set up the go-ahead touchdown.

The Tigers scored the next 35 points in the game. Looking at Virginia’s drive chart during that span, the Cavaliers had five possessions and totaled just 46 yards.

Going back to the Wake Forest game, the Demon Deacons had 148 total yards in their two touchdown drives, the other nine drives ended with either a punt, an interception or on downs, as Wake tallied just 85 total yards on those possessions.

Since the second half of the Stanford game, and you can even throw in the majority of the NC State game, Clemson’s first-team defense and some key reservesplayers have played really well and have been consistent.

However, it has been Clemson’s backups that have been exposed late in the games, and considering the Tigers are up enough in those games for it not to matter, those are good things.

Clemson is trying to build depth and experience on the defensive side of the football. This should not be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.

The Tigers have a lot of youth on the defensive side of the football. The best way to teach them is to get them some game day experience when they can afford to give up a touchdown or two.

It’s going to pay off for Clemson in the end, trust me. But also trust me, there is nothing wrong with Clemson’s defense.

The Tigers can play with anyone in the country on that side of the ball, especially knowing it has an offense that has its back and can score on just about anyone too.