Clemson fans won't like this prediction for the Tigers after Week 1

In an article by Bill Connelly published this week (subscription required), the ESPN editor revealed his “overreactions” after Week 1 of the college football season, making bold statements about several teams — including Clemson — based on the first week of games.

Connelly's overreaction to the Tigers? Clemson fans won't like to see that:

“Clemson is 7-5.”

Here are some comments from Connelly on the above statement and the “problems that could threaten Clemson” after the Tigers started 0-1 and lost 34-3 to Georgia in Atlanta last Saturday:

“The holes in the roster that began to emerge in 2021 still haven't been adequately addressed, and the “Clemson offense,” which has produced some of the fewest big plays in the country in years, was almost completely incapable of damaging the Georgia defense, gaining just 188 yards in 52 snaps. Peter Woods and the Clemson defense did their best, forcing either punts or field goals on Georgia's first five drives. But they couldn't put much pressure on quarterback Carson Beck, and eventually a combination of Clemson demoralization and sheer Georgia meanness set in: The Dawgs scored touchdowns on four of five drives in the second half.

… We really don't know what the future of roster management in college football holds. Scholarship numbers are changing, rosters are being capped and player compensation is being overhauled. That Swinney wants to stick to his guns until those rounds of changes are finalized makes sense. But while many good teams get crushed by Georgia, the Clemson we saw on Saturday got crushed. The Tigers didn't just look like a team far from top-10 or top-15; they looked like a team that could lose a few more games this season. Granted, almost no one else in the ACC looks better — aside from the one we'll discuss next — but it doesn't seem like an overreaction to think that a three-year slide at Clemson will continue into year four.”

If Connelly's prediction of a 7-5 record comes true, it would be the Tigers' fewest wins in a season since 2010, when Clemson was 6-7.

Last season, Clemson's streak of 12 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins came to an end. However, after a 4-4 start, the Tigers won their final five games to finish the year 9-4, making it the 13th consecutive season of nine or more wins – the second-longest active streak in the country and the fourth-highest in college football history.

The Tigers – currently ranked No. 22 in the Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the AP Top 25 poll – will look to pick up a win this weekend when they play their first home game against App State on Saturday at Memorial Stadium (8 p.m., ACC Network).

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson's Class of 2022 are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!