What does ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill make of Clemson’s terribly disappointing start to the season?

Luginbill, a former Georgia Tech starting quarterback and former Arena football star, was asked that question during a recent episode of ESPN’s College Football Live.

Of course, the Tigers are 1-3 and 0-2 in ACC play heading into this Saturday’s game at North Carolina (12 p.m., ESPN). It marks Clemson’s worst start to a season in the Dabo Swinney era, its worst start since 2004 and its worst start in conference play since 2010.

It’s a start that nobody saw coming after Clemson opened the season ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll, with expectations of being a national championship contender, considering all the top-level talent and returning production on both sides of the ball.  

“It’s really something else,” Luginbill said. “When you’re at a place like Clemson, the expectations are at an all-time high. And when you came into this season, there was not a team in college football that had a more confident, productive, returning, verifiable production than this roster did – almost across the board, with multiple potential first-rounders, high-end draft choices. You have the quarterback, you have all the weapons back. So, that expectation, and to see how this team has woefully underperformed.”

Luginbill believes Clemson’s staff must send a certain message to “light a fire” under the players.  

“I don’t know what the answer is, but I think a message needs to be sent that if you’re not performing to a certain standard, we’re going to find somebody who is going to perform to that standard, and light a fire under these guys,” Luginbill said.

Added Luginbill: “I think they’re at the point now where nobody is safe.”

“Everything’s being scrutinized, everything’s being examined, and they need to challenge their coaches, challenge their players,” he said. “Everything gets evaluated on tape. Are you giving the effort that’s required, are you doing what we ask you to do, are you executing at the level that you are capable of?”