CLEMSON, S.C. — After six consecutive ACC titles and College Football Playoff berths and two national championships, last season’s Clemson team stumbled out of the gate and finished 10-3.
It was perceived as a down year for the Tigers.
After several seasons of winning ACC games by decidedly wide margins, the Tigers struggled in almost every game in 2021, losing their grip on the Atlantic Division crown and winning four of their league games by six points or less.
If nothing else it was a cold dose of reality for players who had grown accustomed to romps that saw everyone get in on the fun.