What's Happening?
Clemson's offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has stated that the team is not considering benching starting quarterback Cade Klubnik despite the Tigers' disappointing 1-3 start to the season. Klubnik has completed 60.1% of his passes for 996 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions over four games. Clemson began the season ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press poll but has struggled, including losses to LSU and Syracuse. The team ranks 114th in scoring among Division I-FBS teams, a significant drop from last year's performance when Klubnik led Clemson to an ACC title and a College Football Playoff berth.
Why It's Important?
Clemson's decision to stick with Klubnik as the starting quarterback reflects confidence in his abilities despite the team's poor start. The Tigers' struggles have raised questions about their ability to compete for the ACC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Maintaining Klubnik as the starter suggests that the coaching staff believes he can help turn the season around. However, the team's current performance indicates that significant improvements are needed to achieve their pre-season expectations.
What's Next?
Clemson faces a challenging path ahead, needing to win the remaining six ACC games to have a chance at the conference championship. The team must address its offensive issues to improve its scoring and overall performance. Head coach Dabo Swinney has expressed support for Klubnik, indicating that the team will continue to rely on him to lead the offense.
