Re: According to 247 Sports.....WOW

Asst Coach [707]

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Posts: 1266

Joined: 11/25/22

Re: fans are frustrated

Dec 9, 2022, 11:44 PM [ in reply to fans are frustrated ]

It has 0 to do with ignorance. The problem is a difference in perspective. You're older obviously, probably 50+. You've seen a lot worse for Clemson, so even if there is a downward trajectory, you can compare this year to the years with Bowden or West and remember the Orange Bowl (or a 10-3 record) was a pipe dream. But the program has changed and so too have expectations. Younger fans see our peak, and use that as a measuring stick.

Both sides can be right. Clemson is far more successful in the last decade, and even the last two years, than it had ever been in history. But it's also not crazy to think we are/were: (a) recruiting at the top of the nation, (b) paying at the top of the nation for coaches, and (c) playing at the top of the nation and we should continue to perform at the top of the nation. And those younger fans get frustrated because there are clear ###### in our armor that weren't there in 2018, as well as solutions that seem to be obvious both to those fans and to experts, but our coaching staff does not seem to recognize.

But for the rest of your post. That's a bit disingenuous of stats.

The 2019 team was excellent, but our defense took a big step back, with Simmons having to be everywhere at once. We were absolutely exposed by LSU. But we were #3 in talent, and we finished #2 in the rankings. A great year.

The 2020 team was #4 in talent, we finished #4 in the rankings. So by pure rankings we finished right at expectations. And I think we can say that season was okay. But we suffered our worst post-season loss in 10 years and it was clear the gap between Alabama, Ohio State, and us was widening. Outside of splitting with Ohio State, our best win was against #22 Miami. It was also the last year of a bunch of our stars and we came into the season as title favorites, so while you can't say it was a disaster, it's debatable whether it was fine or a mild disappointment.

We came into the season as again contenders for the title. We were the #4 team in talent that year. Last year's team had a defense almost on par with 2018. Our offense was the worst in 30 years. We had one ranked win and finished the season #14. And there were 6 wins decided by 1 score that could have very easily gone the other way were it not for Venables. We didn't win the ACC for the first time in 7 years. There's no way you can call last year anything but a bitter disappointment.

This year, many Clemson fans hoped we'd return our elite defense, and then with Cade Klubnik, the offense would turn the corner. We started the year in the top 4. But of course, we played DJ and the defense took a huge step back for whatever reason. Despite a much easier schedule, we had a series of very close wins before getting completely blown out by 8-4 Notre Dame and also losing to our rival for the first time in 8 years. We did win the ACC again thanks to Cade (and Wiggins), but I think most would say, given our preseason ranking and our being the fifth most talented team, that this year was a disappointment too.

We're still having records 110 teams in the FBS would kill for. But only 5 years ago, we had records 128 teams in the FBS would kill for. That's what people mean when they say they're frustrated. Also, Henry has been absolutely phenomenal and is a true argument for Dabo's system of growing up and developing. Murphy has not played extremely well this year.

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According to 247 Sports.....WOW

Where did they have TL ranked?***

#1***

For reference, Da'quan Bowers is #2.***

Re: Where did they have TL ranked?***