OT: Duke beats #9 Clemson 28-7

Submitted by tennis_labeef on September 4th, 2023 at 11:27 PM

First time Duke has beaten a top-ten opponent since 1989. I guess Cade Klubnik was not the answer to Clemson’s offensive woes. 

cbecerrajr

September 4th, 2023 at 11:32 PM ^

Good. This makes going back to work tomorrow just a little less painful after the  holiday weekend. Can’t wait to hear what the Clemson faithful have to say at work tomorrow. 

DennisFranklinDaMan

September 5th, 2023 at 7:28 AM ^

But it's not necessarily a criticism of the players on the team (though of course it feels that way). It just means that ... they were initially ranked too highly, no? I mean, it's literally 100% accurate. Those who evaluated them clearly over-estimated their talent. The team was ... overrated. What's the problem?

borninAnnArbor

September 5th, 2023 at 7:32 AM ^

I cannot definitively say it is the reason, but I find it interesting that there were certain teams which reportedly paid recruits to play at their school in the past have done extremely well.  Now that all schools can offer money to students, and most of those school are no longer elite may or may not be a coincidence.  Georgia is the exception.  

GLORY

September 4th, 2023 at 11:53 PM ^

The beatdowns on LSU and Clemson were very satisfying.  Ironically, we got to witness both on Disney-owned networks- ABC and ESPN.  WHAT A SETUP!  

Denarded

September 4th, 2023 at 11:57 PM ^

Clemson’s 2nd half red zone offense was embarrassing. Missed 23 yard FG and 2 fumbles inside the 10. The only routes they seem to be able to run are flat passes to Shipley or opposite side hash throws to a 5’9 WR that looks like Dabo’s son. Pretty shocking lack of offensive execution or creativity after bringing Lincoln Riley’s brother in. 

Blake Forum

September 5th, 2023 at 12:05 AM ^

It's gratifying to see Clemson and Ohio State look ordinary in the same weekend. I remember circa 2019 when these spread passing attacks with elite talent were supposed to be invincible and the rest of us were irrelevant. How the tables have turned

Blake Forum

September 5th, 2023 at 10:48 AM ^

Certainly it's a big step down from Trevor Lawrence to Cade Klubnik. And while I don't want to jinx us by saying McCord can't get a lot better, he's doesn't have the upside of Justin Fields. But I don't think it's only QB play. College football has caught up tactically, as always happens. Lots of dropping 8 into coverage, for instance, which Duke did a bunch last night

I'd also add that Clemson is apparently--if you believe their fans--caught in a previous era of recruiting, whereby they still take unusually small classes and refuse to really harness the transfer portal. That's a huge handicap right now

Mpfnfu Ford

September 5th, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^

Clemson’s qb is a dud. That slide on 4th down was one of the dumbest and whatever the opposite of heads up plays I’ve ever seen a player make. Every time the field got short and they needed him to actually do something, he failed. Became clear halfway through the game Riley had to rework the game plan because he kept shitting up and he had to try to Cole-proof the game plan and Cole still found ways to screw it up.

Clemsons era of national relevance is over. That league belongs to FSU, UNC and I guess Duke now. Elko is legit and deserves a tippy top job. If Harbaugh goes to the NFL he looks like a very good outsider option.