Desmond Howard, Pete Thamel debate Clemson's perception after back-to-back blowout wins
After falling to Georgia 34-3 in Week 1, Clemson has won back-to-back games, most recently dominating NC State in a 59-35 blowout. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel weighed in on Clemson’s recent success and revealed his expectations for the rest of the team’s season.
“We don’t know if Tyler from Spartanburg called into Dabo’s radio show, but maybe he just slid into his DMs because there’s a there’s a looseness to the way Clemson has played that belied the way they started earlier in this season,” Thamel said.
“We’re in a 12-team playoff era. Certainly, the competition isn’t what it once was, but I think there’s a clear path for Clemson if it keeps up some of this momentum and confidence, especially Cade Klubnik, who, quite frankly, in his career, has never looked anything like he has the last two games.”
In the last two games, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik has tallied 587 passing yards and eight touchdowns without throwing an interception. Thamel believes Klubnik has a chance to lead Clemson to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020.
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“I look at it this way, they will not be an underdog in my estimation, in any of their remaining games, home-Louisville, home-South Carolina, at Florida State‘s a different story. So look for Clemson to be hanging around come Selection Sunday.”
Desmond Howard isn’t buying Clemson stock yet
Fellow ESPN analyst Desmond Howard isn’t nearly as convinced by Clemson’s recent play. On Tuesday, Howard pointed toward Clemson’s step back in competition as the reason for its improved performances.
“When you talk about this team coming together and playing like a championship team, they had that opportunity against Georgia,” Howard said. “They’re playing better now because the competition is not as high as it was in Week 1 against Georgia. That’s what’s going on.
“Now I don’t think they’re as bad as they looked against Georgia, but I definitely don’t think they’re as great as they’re looking against App State and North Carolina State. They’re somewhere in the middle.”
Clemson won’t have too many more opportunities to prove itself against elite competition. Louisville is the only remaining ranked opponent on Clemson’s schedule. Howard emphasized the importance of the Tigers defeating Louisville later this season.
“About any of these top teams, I’ll let you know that they have a three-game schedule,” Howard said. “For Clemson, it was Georgia. Now, it’s going to be Florida State and Louisville. Now, I’m not sure if Florida State’s still in the mix, but probably the Louisville game, that’s where you find out where you are.”
“I’m not about to jump on the bandwagon, talking about, ‘That’s right. Clemson’s back. Now they’re ready to take on these top teams.’ No so fast.”