Re: The last line is a truth bomb. Tell it like it is David Hood!

TNET: Final Grades: Offense shines, but defense lets down in brutal loss to Duke

TigerNet News® · 2025-11-02T00:30:11.838Z

Final Grades: Offense shines, but defense lets down in brutal loss to Duke Full Story »

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Athletic Dir [1121]

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Nov 2, 2025, 2:32 AM

So I’m not certain but my best guess was early on to try and draw out a return with higher hang time and guys downfield. If they fair catch it, fine. But goal being try and start them more than 75 yards from the end zone, add a risk of a fumble on a big hit at uhh speed, etc.

That made some sense at least when we were down and the defense couldn’t hold a JV quarterback from getting open throws. BUT when the defense showed they had got momentum after 3 and outs, we get tied then get a lead, THAT is when you say “okay”. My defense is performing better right now. Let’s not risk a big play and force them to get their scores on our defense… well we booted it to the bricks behind the end zone after that return… biggest head scratcher at times with coaches (I know it’s more complicated as to why they do some things than I understand as a fan), is the lack of situational coaching at times.

When early on 3rd and 4th downs we run man with stunts twisting DT’s over and safeties crossing is beyond me. He showed he’ll get the ball out fast, and the 4 man could get to him on passing downs if they had a few seconds to beat their blocks. Why take 2 blitzes and design it so they can’t get to the quarterback for at least 3 seconds after the ball is snapped on full man coverage? We dropped it early 2nd quarter and found some temporary success. The trick play I get it’s open and for a D lineman that needs to drop into the belly/breadbasket. By why not use the 2 headed wrecking ball you had rolling behind some big boys that I’m a power vs power shoving match could move the line of scrimmage well so far. For all of Riley’s stuff I saw some things I did like; but that was a head scratching series of plays.

Real issue is it’s clear we have guys coming in that are young, talented, work hard, and visibly care about this team and putting on a performance they and the fans can be proud of: hearing “We didn’t see or have that issue in practice” means the player got amnesia, or that whoever is preparing them and simulating what to expect is doing a poor job. If a trick play beats you okay. If someone’s more physical and talented beats you 1 on 1 okay: but other than that; the coaches are saying at practice and effort in the field they’re getting all they can possibly ask for. The question should be why aren’t X’s players prepared and ready for saturday? It’s staff. I don’t know how deep. Internally they may know. Dabos emotions hint he knows, has confronted tho issue behind closed doors, and it keeps happening.

Let the main course correct this off season before anyone makes rash decisions. He’s still the guy most likely Clemson can get to take us back in the future. Don’t expect a 1 year flip to top 4-6 teams. But let’s see some improvement and allow changes coming in dec/January a chance to show what Swinney wants to do and sheer he wants to change this current state of the program

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Dabo also is the one who took Clemson to 2 National Championships and 7 playoffs.

Personally, I don't think that he will take us back to the top but even in 2014 I would not have thought that he would have taken us to where he did. That makes him the most likely to do it again. There is nobody that we can reasonably think that we can hire that has had the success of Dabo. Any up and comer is going to be a gamble. Reference Garrett Riley if you think not. If you want a head coaching example then reference Mike Norvell.

There are economic hurdles at Clemson that any coach will have to overcome. That being said, what makes you think that there is somebody that we can get more likely to take us back to the top. Dabo is going to have to incorporate the portal and NIL into his philosophy to a greater extent. Will that be enough? I doubt it.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter to me what I think Dabo will do. The man has earned the right to try until he decides otherwise. Because of him, I've gone to 3 National Championship Games though I did sale my tickets in the parking lot to the one in Tampa. I still have confetti from the one in Santa Clara though. I don't need to believe in Dabo. As long as he believes in himself that is good enough for me, and I think that he will walk away when that is no longer true.

TNET: Final Grades: Offense shines, but defense lets down in brutal loss to Duke

The last line is a truth bomb. Tell it like it is David Hood!

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