September 24, 2025 • 17 mins
Clemson beat reporter Chapel Fowler (The State) joined the show to share his perspective on a rough 1-3 start for the Tigers.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Covers the Clemson Tigers, among other things for the State newspaper.
It's our good buddy, Chapel Fowler. Welcome in, my friend.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
What's up guys? Thanks for having me. I appreciate you
putting me on before a niche show off instead of after,
because I don't know if I could follow such a legend.
But happy to be here and talking about a chaotic
season so far.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
We absolutely have to talk about the chaos, and you
are doing great work in your own right at Chapel
Fowler on Twitter X, and I just want to thank
you for always providing great perspective on just the world
of college football, especially what has been a fascinating and
for Clemson fans, a terribly bad start to this season,
one in three. That hasn't happened in a long long
(00:42):
time around here, and it certainly hasn't happened throughout this
championship caliber run for the Clemson Tigers. Let's just talk
about the game a little bit that happened on Saturday.
You heard the clip from Bob was Shuesen, and then
you were there covering the games. It's difficult to rebound
from that. Chapel is not you get down ten to
nothing within the first half of the first quarter, and
(01:04):
it just seems to be a theme for this program.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It is and it was. I mean, I was sitting
there and saw a you got to remember, like this
is this is a fan base that Davos Winny in
as many words like called out a portion of for
not being all in earlier in the week. And it's
moon and it taught, and that stadium is full and rocking,
and I was impressed to see that. And then you know,
(01:28):
what's the on field reward for showing up at noon
and being ready to go and trying to get behind
your team is, like you said, it's Syracuse marching right
down the field and scoring on you and then hitting
an onside kick, which was beautifully executed. But Davos told
his postgame that and I guess maybe Syracuse has had
a tendency of doing this in the past, or maybe
(01:48):
it's just part of special teams preparation. But that group
was specifically breathed in their huddle before that exact play
broke and happened to be aware of this possibility. I
think if you go back and watch the film, like
one of the eleven guys on the kick team follow
those instructions and like kept an eye on the potential onside,
everybody else is just jogging down to the end zunelike usual.
(02:09):
So he was actually frustrated on that kind of a
microcosm of what's gone wrong this season. But yeah, that's
an early hole against a team that scores a lot
and played really well on offense. And obviously they never
led in the game. So I think your theory is correct.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Yeah, you get behind in any environment, and to be
frank with you here, these are better teams than we suspected.
I think at one point Chapel Fowler is our guest
here from the State. He covers the Clemson Tigers as
we try to navigate through what has been a tumultuous
one and three start for Swingy and company down there. Look,
it's a game that's played by players, and at the
(02:47):
end of the day, a lot of the conversation and
narrative has been about the nil about the portal, about
all the lack of maybe activity relative to other top
tier programs out there that are now vying for a
national CHI championship. I'm less interested in that for the moment.
We'll get to that in a minute. I'm more interested
on the field. There's a preponderance of talent. There's plenty
(03:08):
there to at least be better than one in three
and to be doing things that don't look like what
we see, such as operational issues in this special teams
department that steal a possession for the other team. Let's
start with a defense. Tom Allen brand new to this operation.
I have all the respect in the world for him.
He's been many many places and has built some great defenses.
(03:29):
What's the problem right now, especially on the ground?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah, that one. That one's kind of baffling. I don't know.
I tried to remind myself in the off season that
you know, they're bringing in a new DC, but at
the same time, like he's taken over a unit that
essentially brought back every single person who is talented but
struggled last year. You know, I don't I don't think
swapping coordinators was going to fix every issue for Clemson.
(03:55):
But I think, you know, there was a lot of
reason to think that it would help. But what we're
seeing is guys just not playing, you know, as good
as they can play, And I think that raises all
sorts of questions about you know, individual guys is like
drive and effort and motor. It certainly raises questions about
things like, you know, preseason preparation, off season ramp up,
(04:16):
strength and conditioning, all this stuff. You know, what do
you spend all off season doing if this is the
issue four games in and again some of that is
like you don't have preseason games. Live tackling is hard.
But the numbers are like right on par with last
year through four games. And that's certainly not what Clemson paid,
you know, two million dollars to Tom Allen for for
fixing is certainly not what they invested in their roster
(04:38):
to have happened. Again, so I think it just comes
down to things like motor and execution. And I think
a lot of it is just on field guys being
in position and not making plays. And again four games
into the season that that's not what a allegedly elite
team should be talking about or worrying about, but we are.
And again that's one of the main reasons they're one
in three.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Chap But when you look at the offense K Club
Nidabby's and this is one of the dangerous parts about
doing what we do for a living. We all try
to analyze how these quarterbacks should and will look. It's
called forecasting. We all do it and look statistically, thirty
seven of sixty three sixty three three tutties. Those numbers
will add up and at the end of the season
that'll be a part of his collective in terms of
(05:19):
what he's done. But this offense, to me, when I
watch it on tape, lacks rhythm, lacks operational, just focus
at times, and it just seems to be disconnected. Even
the running game. I know Randall, and God bless him.
He's a converted receiver. He's done a nice job. They
miss Shipley, they miss MafA, they missed the one two punch,
the ability to sort of stay balanced. Where are you
(05:43):
with the offense? Those are my general observations. I don't
know everything here, you're closer to it. You've got a
good receiving corps. You've got some guys that can make
plays there. You've got a quarterback who has shown he
can be better than this. Is it a line issue?
Is it operational? Is it structural in terms of the
scheme and the play calling. Is it just getting down early?
But what what is it? Is it a number of things.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
So hard to put a finger on, and the fact
that it's so many things is kind of the issue
in itself. I mean, I'm trying to I go back
to the Syracuse and like a few things. I mean,
people can see it in the stadium, like the number
of times receivers got schemed open and club me just
missed them and vacated the pocket. You kind of just
hear like a grown from the stadium. And I heard
this a lot when like dj Uungelole was there, and
(06:28):
you know, early in Cade's tenure as well, in like
twenty twenty three, when a play would develop and be
nice protection and you just hear fans kind of like
getting antsy, like oh there it is, there it is,
and then it doesn't happen, and then he scrambles and
you know it's a throwaway or something like that. That's
happening at a concerning rate for a senior quarterback who
came in with you know, number one overall draft pick
(06:49):
and heis and considerations operationally, game management, I thought they
did not do a good job of that against Syracuse.
They had a third and one and a fourth and
one in the third quarter while down thirteen points, with
the ball chance to cut it into one possession. Adam
Randall did not touch the ball in either of those plays,
despite averaging I think it was like nine point one
yards per carry up to that point. And then you
(07:10):
know that into the first half, they should have called
a time out earlier their second time out to get
the ball back with a little bit more time left.
Then Randall pop's a big run and they line up
take their time out and it ends in them attempting
a hell Mary when they could have had a field
goal or at least try a deeper field goal.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
And then they dropped bizarre.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
A field goal. It was just crazy, very very strange sequence.
And I think again, I mean, so there's three examples
just from this one game. Quarterbacks off, bad play calling
where you're not giving it to your good running back
on third or one fourth and one, and then just
kind of operational you know again, Bryan westco dropped the
pass that would have put them in field goal range
on that specific play right before the first up. But
(07:52):
just weird stuff and a lot of stuff piling up
and not when anyone expected it, and certainly you know,
annoying to David Sweeney from his public comments I can tell.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, no question. And Dabo has spoken a couple of
times since the game, once with you guys in the presser,
and then he was on of course the Network last
night with Donniemun said do you get the sense it
all from being you know, up close and personal with
that program and covering it at close range, that there
is any sort of leash on Clubnick right now? Or
is it They're going to ride it out with him
(08:22):
unless he gets hurt.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
There's definitely a leash, and I think all you have
to do is listen to the specific wording of what
Dabos says. You know that this is a very smart,
media savvy coach. He knows what he says. Nothing he
says as an accident. What he said in the last
few days regarding Club Nick is you know, he's our
starter for now, emphasis on for now. I also asked
(08:45):
him about the possibility of Mede year staff changes last night,
and he said, I don't anticipate that. He didn't say
that's not happening. He was asked about Garrett Riley as
a play caller and didn't really answer directly about Garrett
Riley and just kind of talked about the staff and
said we all need to be better there. It's I
think it's you can tell whenever he's irked about stuff.
(09:07):
You know, he's not one to pile on people publicly.
You know he'll he'll push people privately, and then it
has done that by all accounts this year. But we
can tell even in the media women stuff like this
is brewing just by the way he phrases stuff. So
I think there's definitely a leash on Klubnik. I don't
know how long it is. I did think, you know,
he played fine against Syracuse all things considered. It's like,
(09:29):
not great at all, but it's not like he was
throwing tick six after pick six out there. I think
he gives them a decent chance to win. But I'm
not going to be surprised if we see Bazina at
some point in the next few weeks. I just don't
know exactly the context of what would trigger that kind
of move.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
N il Portal's a big discussion obviously, when when it
comes to debloswinning and the Clemson Tigers. Chapel Fowler's our
guests here from the state, And on that note, would
you agree that it's as important right now? I mean,
look at the business. Season is year round in college football.
We know that, but right now you have what you
have on roster, and as I've said all week, it's
quite good enough to be better than one in three.
(10:04):
How essential is it that they play better right now?
Not that they're going to make the playoffs He's talked
about that, we all know that's not where they're heading,
but for retention to keep not only who they have
in house from entering that portal or just moreover becoming
an attractive option as it always has been to come
to Tigertown. You lose some of that stock if you
(10:26):
start to put together losing seasons. How important is it
for this team to avoid that this year?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's huge, you know, just kind of the bizarre world
that we're in, you know, four games end of the season.
Never in my life with what I have thought that
Dabo would have been answering a question last night about
the possibility of guys, you know, deciding that after four
games they're actually going to step away from the team
and take a red shirt year and preserve their eligibility
and go elsewhere. And Dabo answering that question and not
(10:52):
being irked about being asked and understanding that's a reality now,
Like that is not something I ever would thought Clemson
would be in position that worry about four games end
of the year, But stuff like that is a valid
concern now, Like you've got to think about younger guys,
so some of your more talented guys that have additional
years of eligibility. Like it, it's hard to, you know,
step away or make a funk about playing time whenever
(11:14):
your team's playing well and you're winning a bunch of games,
But like when when the record is one in three,
like that becomes a more realistic and attractive option for guys.
You know, I'm not trying to pretend I am inside
any crimes some players heads, but this is probably not
the most like locked in. Every single person on the
roster excited about this year and the years to come
situations just because of where they are. I think finishing
(11:38):
strong is huge for so many momentum reasons. I mean,
we saw all of last year how they entered with
such low expectations and that kind of fueled them to
a big finish in a CFP run. And then this
most recent offseason, you've got summer of love, like ridiculous
levels of height, and Daba has said that that like
got the guy's heads in his mind, like some people
(12:00):
maybe like hurt a lot of that and then forgot
that they had to play as well. All this is
part of college football. It's part of like your year in,
year out rhythm. I think it's super important to finish
this year strong. You know, playoffs, championship. That's not going
to happen, but something like eight and four could happen.
Nine and three they go on a big run. Stuff
like that could be impactful in a lot of ways,
(12:23):
and I think they realized that. But I don't know
if it's going to happen, just given what I've seen
on field product wise.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Is there any question in your mind that Sweeney will
be back next year?
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Me personally, No. I think I said this a few
weeks ago, or maybe it was earlier this week. I
think he's extraordinarily competitive. I think he's proud of what
he's done at Clemson, and he brings it up a
lot for good reason, because he has really elevated them
to a stage at a consistent level that they've never
been on. I think he's focused on Clemson. I think
(12:58):
just given the competitor he is, he would not want
to go out on a season like this. I think
this has kind of motivated him in some ways. Again,
we'll see to what level of change it actually pushes
him to make. You know, I think there's some not
just you know, staffing and personnel on field decisions to
be made, but like even just down to like the
base level of like the program. He says they start
(13:20):
over every year in the off season to evalue it
where they are, Like, there's there's a lot to evaluate.
These four games have shown us that, you know, if
you want to get back up to that elite level.
So I think he's ready for that challenge. So I
don't think he's on the hot seat right now. I
don't think he's not going to be at Clemson next year.
But but I think he's got a big challenge ahead
and I think he knows that. And just these last
(13:41):
few days, like hearing him talk publicly, it's kind of
a more solemn and you know, reflective and not really snappy,
spicy Dabo. And I think that's because he realizes that
there's a big task ahead to turn this thing around.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Well, he's always said and he's not wrong. The fund
is in the winning. And I mean you can tell,
no matter what you think of the man, he loves
to win. All coaches love to win to winning around there,
and it's gut wrenching, I'm assuming for him, and I
know it is for those kids, especially the seniors that
are disappointed in this start. One last question for you,
Champel Fowler from the State. He covers the Clemson Tigers
(14:13):
and just does a great job doing it. There's this
discussion out there about in il and obviously you know
Dabbo perhaps being behind the curve, and everybody's talking about it.
It's the go to talking point and it's not without
merit to a certain degree. Here's the problem I have,
and you tell me if I'm wrong. You hear some
people that are in the fan base, some in the media,
(14:34):
some people that have a mic like I do that
you don't necessarily believe a nuance that just scream all
the time, well, Dabo's got to go out and buy
a team. He's got to buy a team, get out
there and spin, spin, spin, And at the same time,
in the same breath, these same people, many of them,
are saying, well, look at the team they're quitting, they're
getting paid in Aiel's the problem. Am I wrong in that?
(14:56):
Because I think there's a conflicting perspective when is not
just the fans. I don't blame them, but some analysts
out there Dabo sucks because he doesn't get the money
flowing for the guys, and then some of the same
guys are like, well, you can tell this is the
world of ni al look at the guys checking out
and quitting in a game like Syracuse.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Yeah. My counter to people who complain about that would be,
like Clempston did buy a team by retaining this current team?
You go? I think, I want to say, Larry Williams
at Tiger Illustrators Reporter, there's four millionaires on the roster
among players, that being Haye Club, nickkj Parker, Peter Woods,
and I believe the fourth when he mentioned there was
Antonio Williams. I'm not sure on that, but I'm sure
(15:36):
it's him or one of those other top guys. The
issue to me is not a lack of nil stuff
Like I mean, they've committed a higher percentage or just
about as high of a percentage of repsure money to
football as anybody it's not NIL, it's not portal, which
they use selectively, so you don't really have that argument
that they're not using it at all. I think you
hit the nail on the head earlier, like it's an
execution issue. It's a roster that is way more talented
(15:59):
than one in three record, but they are one in three,
And again, I think that's the black mark on all
the players, on all the coaches, Like it's not just
on the players, Like the whole conset of a football
program is the coach guys up and have them ready
to roll in these opening games. And Clinton has all
these talented guys and they've just gotten off to this
terrible start, you know, the worst of Debo's career since
(16:20):
he's been at Clemson. So I wouldn't point the finger
at inn al or portal. I think I think it's
just a group of guys that have not consistently shown
up despite being talented to win every single game they've
been in this year. And that's some some on them,
some on coaches, all on the program. But again I
don't think I think they've made the NIL and portal
(16:41):
adjustments that they need to. They're just not playing well
at all right, now, fair enough.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Chapel Fowler covers this team for the State and you
can follow them on x and Twitter at Chapel Fowler.
And I will say this just a quick note. You'll
be heading up the chapel Bill and I believe you're
a un c alum, and say hi to Jordan and
Bill Force. Please send him our best.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I'll do it at the ten am Ludicrous concert.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Oh I forgot about that. Oh that's brutal. All right, well,
safe travels man, and it's good to hear your voice.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Thanks guys, appreciate you having
Covers the Clemson Tigers, among other things for the State newspaper.
It's our good buddy, Chapel Fowler. Welcome in, my friend.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
What's up guys? Thanks for having me. I appreciate you
putting me on before a niche show off instead of after,
because I don't know if I could follow such a legend.
But happy to be here and talking about a chaotic
season so far.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
We absolutely have to talk about the chaos, and you
are doing great work in your own right at Chapel
Fowler on Twitter X, and I just want to thank
you for always providing great perspective on just the world
of college football, especially what has been a fascinating and
for Clemson fans, a terribly bad start to this season,
one in three. That hasn't happened in a long long
(00:42):
time around here, and it certainly hasn't happened throughout this
championship caliber run for the Clemson Tigers. Let's just talk
about the game a little bit that happened on Saturday.
You heard the clip from Bob was Shuesen, and then
you were there covering the games. It's difficult to rebound
from that. Chapel is not you get down ten to
nothing within the first half of the first quarter, and
(01:04):
it just seems to be a theme for this program.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It is and it was. I mean, I was sitting
there and saw a you got to remember, like this
is this is a fan base that Davos Winny in
as many words like called out a portion of for
not being all in earlier in the week. And it's
moon and it taught, and that stadium is full and rocking,
and I was impressed to see that. And then you know,
(01:28):
what's the on field reward for showing up at noon
and being ready to go and trying to get behind
your team is, like you said, it's Syracuse marching right
down the field and scoring on you and then hitting
an onside kick, which was beautifully executed. But Davos told
his postgame that and I guess maybe Syracuse has had
a tendency of doing this in the past, or maybe
(01:48):
it's just part of special teams preparation. But that group
was specifically breathed in their huddle before that exact play
broke and happened to be aware of this possibility. I
think if you go back and watch the film, like
one of the eleven guys on the kick team follow
those instructions and like kept an eye on the potential onside,
everybody else is just jogging down to the end zunelike usual.
(02:09):
So he was actually frustrated on that kind of a
microcosm of what's gone wrong this season. But yeah, that's
an early hole against a team that scores a lot
and played really well on offense. And obviously they never
led in the game. So I think your theory is correct.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Yeah, you get behind in any environment, and to be
frank with you here, these are better teams than we suspected.
I think at one point Chapel Fowler is our guest
here from the State. He covers the Clemson Tigers as
we try to navigate through what has been a tumultuous
one and three start for Swingy and company down there. Look,
it's a game that's played by players, and at the
(02:47):
end of the day, a lot of the conversation and
narrative has been about the nil about the portal, about
all the lack of maybe activity relative to other top
tier programs out there that are now vying for a
national CHI championship. I'm less interested in that for the moment.
We'll get to that in a minute. I'm more interested
on the field. There's a preponderance of talent. There's plenty
(03:08):
there to at least be better than one in three
and to be doing things that don't look like what
we see, such as operational issues in this special teams
department that steal a possession for the other team. Let's
start with a defense. Tom Allen brand new to this operation.
I have all the respect in the world for him.
He's been many many places and has built some great defenses.
(03:29):
What's the problem right now, especially on the ground?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah, that one. That one's kind of baffling. I don't know.
I tried to remind myself in the off season that
you know, they're bringing in a new DC, but at
the same time, like he's taken over a unit that
essentially brought back every single person who is talented but
struggled last year. You know, I don't I don't think
swapping coordinators was going to fix every issue for Clemson.
(03:55):
But I think, you know, there was a lot of
reason to think that it would help. But what we're
seeing is guys just not playing, you know, as good
as they can play, And I think that raises all
sorts of questions about you know, individual guys is like
drive and effort and motor. It certainly raises questions about
things like, you know, preseason preparation, off season ramp up,
(04:16):
strength and conditioning, all this stuff. You know, what do
you spend all off season doing if this is the
issue four games in and again some of that is
like you don't have preseason games. Live tackling is hard.
But the numbers are like right on par with last
year through four games. And that's certainly not what Clemson paid,
you know, two million dollars to Tom Allen for for
fixing is certainly not what they invested in their roster
(04:38):
to have happened. Again, so I think it just comes
down to things like motor and execution. And I think
a lot of it is just on field guys being
in position and not making plays. And again four games
into the season that that's not what a allegedly elite
team should be talking about or worrying about, but we are.
And again that's one of the main reasons they're one
in three.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Chap But when you look at the offense K Club
Nidabby's and this is one of the dangerous parts about
doing what we do for a living. We all try
to analyze how these quarterbacks should and will look. It's
called forecasting. We all do it and look statistically, thirty
seven of sixty three sixty three three tutties. Those numbers
will add up and at the end of the season
that'll be a part of his collective in terms of
(05:19):
what he's done. But this offense, to me, when I
watch it on tape, lacks rhythm, lacks operational, just focus
at times, and it just seems to be disconnected. Even
the running game. I know Randall, and God bless him.
He's a converted receiver. He's done a nice job. They
miss Shipley, they miss MafA, they missed the one two punch,
the ability to sort of stay balanced. Where are you
(05:43):
with the offense? Those are my general observations. I don't
know everything here, you're closer to it. You've got a
good receiving corps. You've got some guys that can make
plays there. You've got a quarterback who has shown he
can be better than this. Is it a line issue?
Is it operational? Is it structural in terms of the
scheme and the play calling. Is it just getting down early?
But what what is it? Is it a number of things.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
So hard to put a finger on, and the fact
that it's so many things is kind of the issue
in itself. I mean, I'm trying to I go back
to the Syracuse and like a few things. I mean,
people can see it in the stadium, like the number
of times receivers got schemed open and club me just
missed them and vacated the pocket. You kind of just
hear like a grown from the stadium. And I heard
this a lot when like dj Uungelole was there, and
(06:28):
you know, early in Cade's tenure as well, in like
twenty twenty three, when a play would develop and be
nice protection and you just hear fans kind of like
getting antsy, like oh there it is, there it is,
and then it doesn't happen, and then he scrambles and
you know it's a throwaway or something like that. That's
happening at a concerning rate for a senior quarterback who
came in with you know, number one overall draft pick
(06:49):
and heis and considerations operationally, game management, I thought they
did not do a good job of that against Syracuse.
They had a third and one and a fourth and
one in the third quarter while down thirteen points, with
the ball chance to cut it into one possession. Adam
Randall did not touch the ball in either of those plays,
despite averaging I think it was like nine point one
yards per carry up to that point. And then you
(07:10):
know that into the first half, they should have called
a time out earlier their second time out to get
the ball back with a little bit more time left.
Then Randall pop's a big run and they line up
take their time out and it ends in them attempting
a hell Mary when they could have had a field
goal or at least try a deeper field goal.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
And then they dropped bizarre.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
A field goal. It was just crazy, very very strange sequence.
And I think again, I mean, so there's three examples
just from this one game. Quarterbacks off, bad play calling
where you're not giving it to your good running back
on third or one fourth and one, and then just
kind of operational you know again, Bryan westco dropped the
pass that would have put them in field goal range
on that specific play right before the first up. But
(07:52):
just weird stuff and a lot of stuff piling up
and not when anyone expected it, and certainly you know,
annoying to David Sweeney from his public comments I can tell.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, no question. And Dabo has spoken a couple of
times since the game, once with you guys in the presser,
and then he was on of course the Network last
night with Donniemun said do you get the sense it
all from being you know, up close and personal with
that program and covering it at close range, that there
is any sort of leash on Clubnick right now? Or
is it They're going to ride it out with him
(08:22):
unless he gets hurt.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
There's definitely a leash, and I think all you have
to do is listen to the specific wording of what
Dabos says. You know that this is a very smart,
media savvy coach. He knows what he says. Nothing he
says as an accident. What he said in the last
few days regarding Club Nick is you know, he's our
starter for now, emphasis on for now. I also asked
(08:45):
him about the possibility of Mede year staff changes last night,
and he said, I don't anticipate that. He didn't say
that's not happening. He was asked about Garrett Riley as
a play caller and didn't really answer directly about Garrett
Riley and just kind of talked about the staff and
said we all need to be better there. It's I
think it's you can tell whenever he's irked about stuff.
(09:07):
You know, he's not one to pile on people publicly.
You know he'll he'll push people privately, and then it
has done that by all accounts this year. But we
can tell even in the media women stuff like this
is brewing just by the way he phrases stuff. So
I think there's definitely a leash on Klubnik. I don't
know how long it is. I did think, you know,
he played fine against Syracuse all things considered. It's like,
(09:29):
not great at all, but it's not like he was
throwing tick six after pick six out there. I think
he gives them a decent chance to win. But I'm
not going to be surprised if we see Bazina at
some point in the next few weeks. I just don't
know exactly the context of what would trigger that kind
of move.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
N il Portal's a big discussion obviously, when when it
comes to debloswinning and the Clemson Tigers. Chapel Fowler's our
guests here from the state, And on that note, would
you agree that it's as important right now? I mean,
look at the business. Season is year round in college football.
We know that, but right now you have what you
have on roster, and as I've said all week, it's
quite good enough to be better than one in three.
(10:04):
How essential is it that they play better right now?
Not that they're going to make the playoffs He's talked
about that, we all know that's not where they're heading,
but for retention to keep not only who they have
in house from entering that portal or just moreover becoming
an attractive option as it always has been to come
to Tigertown. You lose some of that stock if you
(10:26):
start to put together losing seasons. How important is it
for this team to avoid that this year?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's huge, you know, just kind of the bizarre world
that we're in, you know, four games end of the season.
Never in my life with what I have thought that
Dabo would have been answering a question last night about
the possibility of guys, you know, deciding that after four
games they're actually going to step away from the team
and take a red shirt year and preserve their eligibility
and go elsewhere. And Dabo answering that question and not
(10:52):
being irked about being asked and understanding that's a reality now,
Like that is not something I ever would thought Clemson
would be in position that worry about four games end
of the year, But stuff like that is a valid
concern now, Like you've got to think about younger guys,
so some of your more talented guys that have additional
years of eligibility. Like it, it's hard to, you know,
step away or make a funk about playing time whenever
(11:14):
your team's playing well and you're winning a bunch of games,
But like when when the record is one in three,
like that becomes a more realistic and attractive option for guys.
You know, I'm not trying to pretend I am inside
any crimes some players heads, but this is probably not
the most like locked in. Every single person on the
roster excited about this year and the years to come
situations just because of where they are. I think finishing
(11:38):
strong is huge for so many momentum reasons. I mean,
we saw all of last year how they entered with
such low expectations and that kind of fueled them to
a big finish in a CFP run. And then this
most recent offseason, you've got summer of love, like ridiculous
levels of height, and Daba has said that that like
got the guy's heads in his mind, like some people
(12:00):
maybe like hurt a lot of that and then forgot
that they had to play as well. All this is
part of college football. It's part of like your year in,
year out rhythm. I think it's super important to finish
this year strong. You know, playoffs, championship. That's not going
to happen, but something like eight and four could happen.
Nine and three they go on a big run. Stuff
like that could be impactful in a lot of ways,
(12:23):
and I think they realized that. But I don't know
if it's going to happen, just given what I've seen
on field product wise.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Is there any question in your mind that Sweeney will
be back next year?
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Me personally, No. I think I said this a few
weeks ago, or maybe it was earlier this week. I
think he's extraordinarily competitive. I think he's proud of what
he's done at Clemson, and he brings it up a
lot for good reason, because he has really elevated them
to a stage at a consistent level that they've never
been on. I think he's focused on Clemson. I think
(12:58):
just given the competitor he is, he would not want
to go out on a season like this. I think
this has kind of motivated him in some ways. Again,
we'll see to what level of change it actually pushes
him to make. You know, I think there's some not
just you know, staffing and personnel on field decisions to
be made, but like even just down to like the
base level of like the program. He says they start
(13:20):
over every year in the off season to evalue it
where they are, Like, there's there's a lot to evaluate.
These four games have shown us that, you know, if
you want to get back up to that elite level.
So I think he's ready for that challenge. So I
don't think he's on the hot seat right now. I
don't think he's not going to be at Clemson next year.
But but I think he's got a big challenge ahead
and I think he knows that. And just these last
(13:41):
few days, like hearing him talk publicly, it's kind of
a more solemn and you know, reflective and not really snappy,
spicy Dabo. And I think that's because he realizes that
there's a big task ahead to turn this thing around.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Well, he's always said and he's not wrong. The fund
is in the winning. And I mean you can tell,
no matter what you think of the man, he loves
to win. All coaches love to win to winning around there,
and it's gut wrenching, I'm assuming for him, and I
know it is for those kids, especially the seniors that
are disappointed in this start. One last question for you,
Champel Fowler from the State. He covers the Clemson Tigers
(14:13):
and just does a great job doing it. There's this
discussion out there about in il and obviously you know
Dabbo perhaps being behind the curve, and everybody's talking about it.
It's the go to talking point and it's not without
merit to a certain degree. Here's the problem I have,
and you tell me if I'm wrong. You hear some
people that are in the fan base, some in the media,
(14:34):
some people that have a mic like I do that
you don't necessarily believe a nuance that just scream all
the time, well, Dabo's got to go out and buy
a team. He's got to buy a team, get out
there and spin, spin, spin, And at the same time,
in the same breath, these same people, many of them,
are saying, well, look at the team they're quitting, they're
getting paid in Aiel's the problem. Am I wrong in that?
(14:56):
Because I think there's a conflicting perspective when is not
just the fans. I don't blame them, but some analysts
out there Dabo sucks because he doesn't get the money
flowing for the guys, and then some of the same
guys are like, well, you can tell this is the
world of ni al look at the guys checking out
and quitting in a game like Syracuse.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Yeah. My counter to people who complain about that would be,
like Clempston did buy a team by retaining this current team?
You go? I think, I want to say, Larry Williams
at Tiger Illustrators Reporter, there's four millionaires on the roster
among players, that being Haye Club, nickkj Parker, Peter Woods,
and I believe the fourth when he mentioned there was
Antonio Williams. I'm not sure on that, but I'm sure
(15:36):
it's him or one of those other top guys. The
issue to me is not a lack of nil stuff
Like I mean, they've committed a higher percentage or just
about as high of a percentage of repsure money to
football as anybody it's not NIL, it's not portal, which
they use selectively, so you don't really have that argument
that they're not using it at all. I think you
hit the nail on the head earlier, like it's an
execution issue. It's a roster that is way more talented
(15:59):
than one in three record, but they are one in three,
And again, I think that's the black mark on all
the players, on all the coaches, Like it's not just
on the players, Like the whole conset of a football
program is the coach guys up and have them ready
to roll in these opening games. And Clinton has all
these talented guys and they've just gotten off to this
terrible start, you know, the worst of Debo's career since
(16:20):
he's been at Clemson. So I wouldn't point the finger
at inn al or portal. I think I think it's
just a group of guys that have not consistently shown
up despite being talented to win every single game they've
been in this year. And that's some some on them,
some on coaches, all on the program. But again I
don't think I think they've made the NIL and portal
(16:41):
adjustments that they need to. They're just not playing well
at all right, now, fair enough.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Chapel Fowler covers this team for the State and you
can follow them on x and Twitter at Chapel Fowler.
And I will say this just a quick note. You'll
be heading up the chapel Bill and I believe you're
a un c alum, and say hi to Jordan and
Bill Force. Please send him our best.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I'll do it at the ten am Ludicrous concert.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Oh I forgot about that. Oh that's brutal. All right, well,
safe travels man, and it's good to hear your voice.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Thanks guys, appreciate you having
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