If you were wondering whether things could get worse for Clemson, they have. Following a heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech last weekend, the Tigers came out flat at home against Syracuse. Clemson's offense has faced significant struggles in the early stages of the season, but the most alarming aspect of their performance today has been the glaring deficiencies in their defense.
Syracuse's opening drive set the tone for the first half, as the Orange marched 75 yards on seven plays, culminating in a brilliant touchdown catch by receiver Justus Ross-Simmons. This early score put the Tigers on their back foot, and unfortunately for Clemson, they never managed to recover. The defense was particularly lackluster, allowing a total of 303 yards—180 through the air and 123 on the ground. Syracuse averaged an alarming 6.5 yards per carry, showcasing the uncharacteristic vulnerability of Dabo Swinney's defensive unit.
After the initial touchdown drive, Syracuse executed a perfect onside kick that caught Clemson completely off guard. Although the Tigers managed to prevent the Orange from scoring a touchdown on that subsequent drive, Syracuse still extended their lead with a field goal. On the offensive side, quarterback Cade Klubnik appeared to gain some confidence as the first half progressed, completing 15 of 21 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, with much of that production occurring during Clemson's final drive of the half.
As Clemson heads into the second half, they are on the brink of their first 1-3 start since 2004. To turn the tide, the Tigers will need to break a troubling streak of nine consecutive losses when trailing by 17 points or more at any point in a game. If the situation does not improve, the scrutiny on Swinney will only intensify, although the substantial buyout in his contract may temper immediate calls for change.
In another notable matchup, Maryland is leading Wisconsin 20-0 at halftime, putting significant pressure on coach Luke Fickell, who began the season already feeling the heat in Madison. If the Badgers do not mount a dramatic comeback in the second half, the atmosphere will only grow more tense among the fans.
Wisconsin started strong with a promising drive led by quarterback Billy Edwards, but it ended in disappointment when a field goal attempt was blocked. As the game progressed, Maryland continued to capitalize on Wisconsin's mistakes, adding a blocked punt to their tally while building a commanding lead. The Badgers have struggled offensively, managing only 129 yards in the first half, with most of those coming from a single slant play on the opening drive that exposed a coverage breakdown by Maryland.
Despite the offensive woes, Wisconsin's defense has not been entirely ineffective, yet they allowed Maryland to set up a field goal just before halftime with a huge play that further extended their lead. The performance from Fickell's team has been dismal, and fans at Camp Randall Stadium have begun chanting for a coaching change, signaling their frustration.
In the Big 12 opener featuring two nationally ranked teams, Texas Tech leads Utah 10-3 at halftime after a mistake-prone first half in Salt Lake City. Both teams combined for nine penalties and five turnovers, including three costly errors from Utah. The Red Raiders scored the only touchdown of the half with Cameron Dickey's 1-yard plunge, capping an impressive seven-play, 85-yard drive.
The standout play of the drive was a remarkable 73-yard catch and run from J'Koby Williams, who showcased his speed and agility to evade multiple defenders. Quarterback Behren Morton has had a challenging outing, dealing with injuries and struggling with two interceptions, including one in the end zone. Texas Tech aims to achieve a 4-0 start for the first time since 2013, a season that saw them briefly climb into the top 10 before finishing with a disappointing seven-game losing streak.
As the Red Raiders continue their unbeaten run under coach Joey McGuire, both teams will need to make significant adjustments in the second half to secure a victory and sustain momentum in their respective seasons.
