Dabo Swinney believes Clemson is three plays away from being 4-0, ranked in top four

Clemson started the year ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 and had sights set on an ACC title. Things haven’t gone as planned, though, with a season-opening loss to Duke and an overtime loss to Florida State all but confirming the Tigers won’t make the College Football Playoff.

Dabo Swinney realizes he has a young group, especially considering Will Putnam is the only senior on the offensive side of the ball. But he said he thinks Clemson is closer to a perfect than people might think.

In fact, he thinks just a few plays are the difference between 2-2 and 4-0.

“We’ve only got one senior on offense in Putnam,” Swinney said. “So I think not just them, but we got a lot of really, really talented guys on this team that, you know, they’re learning a lot of lessons. They’re learning that every game is the biggest game of the year at a place like Clemson. And they’re learning that the difference in championship caliber games is one play. Literally, one play.

“I mean, these guys, without a doubt are three plays away from being 4-0. That’s a fact. And being top three, four in the country, and everybody’s telling them how great they are. That’s how small the margin for error is when you’re in championship-level football.”

Clemson dropped its first game to Duke 28-7 as the offense struggled in a big way. The Tigers had 422 total yards of offense, but committed three costly turnovers — two of which led to touchdowns on the ensuing drives — that helped Duke come away with the home victories.

After back-to-back victories, Clemson had a 17-7 lead over Florida State at one point. But the Seminoles battled back and tied things up on a 24-yard scoop-and-score by Kalen DeLoach to force overtime and, eventually, pull off the 31-24 victory.

Dabo Swinney: Young Clemson players are learning ‘how critical every play is’

Cade Klubnik got plenty of reps last year behind D.J. Uiagalelei, but took over the starting role this year and has had an up-and-down start with 244 passing yards per game and nine touchdowns so far. Will Shipley is one of the elder statesmen on the roster, as well, but hasn’t necessarily had the start to the year he wanted with just one rushing touchdown to his name.

But with a young group, Swinney said the Tigers have to get used to the high expectations around a program that won national titles in 2016 and 2018. Each game matters, and while the record might not reflect it, he sees progress.

“They’re learning all that, how critical every play is,” Swinney said. “They’re also learning some good stuff about how you’re supposed to play the game because they’re getting a lot of results. Maybe not quite on the scoreboard, but they’re getting a lot of results as far as their individual improvement and growth and development offensively, defensively and some things in special teams, as well.”

After losing the heartbreaker to Florida State, Clemson will now look ahead to a road matchup against Syracuse this week.