The autumn sun set on Memorial Stadium Saturday, not with the familiar glow of victory, but with the chilling shadow of a season spiraling out of control. In a stunning turn of events, the Clemson Tigers were soundly defeated 35-24 by the SMU Mustangs on their own turf, dropping to a dismal 3-4 record.
For a team and a fanbase accustomed to championship contention, this was more than just a loss; it was a harsh reality check. The roaring fortress of Death Valley fell silent as the Tigers were outplayed, out-schemed, and out-hustled. What went wrong? We're breaking it down and assigning grades for every facet of this forgettable performance.