I was talking with a friend today at lunch and, like we always do, we were talking about sports. We talked about the NFL Playoffs, Clemson basketball, Clemson baseball and, of course, Clemson football.
During our conversation, my friend said something that poked a nerve. We were talking about Clemson’s run under Dabo Swinney and somehow in the conversation, he said, “Clemson almost had a dynasty.”
It was the second time in the last week I heard someone say, “Clemson almost had a dynasty.” The other time came on a national radio show last week. I could tell you who said it, but I do not want you guys to focus on that as much as what was said.
I corrected my friend. Clemson did have a dynasty.
In fact, it was one of the best runs in the history of college football. Once I pointed to the evidence, my friend agreed it was a dynasty.
I don’t know if you think Clemson’s six-year run from 2015-2020 was a dynasty or not. You are entitled to your own opinion either way, but here’s my opinion.
If you think about what Clemson did during those six seasons and really compare it to some of the great runs by other programs over the years, you will see why I say it was a dynasty.
Unfortunately, Clemson’s run gets lost by the mainstream media because Nick Saban was having his historical run at Alabama. However, what people do not give Clemson credit for is the fact it was the only program that competed and beat Alabama for a long period of time during that stretch.
From 2015-’20, Clemson posted a 79-7 record. The Tigers advanced to the College Football Playoff a record six straight years. Let’s not forget it was a four-team playoff during this time, which makes it an even more impressive feat.
Clemson advanced to the national championship game four times in those six years and won it twice. In both instances, the Tigers beat Alabama, including a 28-point victory in the 2019 title game.
During this same stretch, Clemson finished ranked inside the top 4 in all six seasons, the only program in those six years that could claim such.
Here is Clemson’s resume from 2015-’20
- 2 National Championships
- 4 National Championship Game appearances
- 6 College Football Playoff Appearances (all semifinals)
- 6 ACC Championships
- 6 AP Top 4 finishes
- 4 seasons with at least 14 wins
- 1 season as the top seeded team in the CFP (2017)
- First Team in major college football to go 15-0 (2018 season)
- 79-7 overall record
- 40-1 home record
- 52-3 vs. ACC teams (including Notre Dame)
- 29 straight wins overall (2018-2020)
- 36 straight regular season wins (2017-2020)
- 25 straight regular season wins vs. ACC teams
- 28 straight wins in ACC competition, including ACC Championship Games
- 28 straight wins over ACC teams not named Notre Dame
- 3 wins over Notre Dame (Regular Season, CFP Semifinals & ACC Championship)
- 2 wins over Alabama in CFP National Championship Game
- 2 wins over Ohio State in the CFP Semifinals
- 1 win over Oklahoma in the CFP Semifinals
What Clemson did in those six years was dynastic. You can compare Clemson’s six-year run with other great runs in college football over the years and you will see, it stands right beside them or is better.
You can argue, it might be the second-best run in the history of college football. Unfortunately for Clemson, it happened at the same time as the greatest run in college football history.
But let’s not forget. Clemson was just not great in those six years. Dabo Swinney also led the Tigers to ACC Championships in 2011, 2022 and 2024 as well.
Clemson posted 11-2 seasons in 2012 and 2013 and were 11-3 in 2022. The 2014 and 2021 squads went 10-3, while the 2011 squad finished with a 10-4 record.
Of course, this past season, the Tigers also went 10-4 and it participated in the program’s seventh CFP, which ranks second all time.
Let’s not forget, in Swinney’s 16 full seasons as a head coach, Clemson has won at least nine games in 15 of those 16 seasons, including 12 consecutive 10-plus win seasons.
I think I made my case.