Clemson at The Voice of College Football

Clemson Tigers LIVE 219 / ALL IN SHOW 199 — PAIN + FSU WEEK Hosts: Jordan Bowman & Edward “Tiger Paw” Craven (TPC) ClemsonVOCFB (presented by FanDuel) Opening & Context (≈00:02:35–00:09:20) Show opens with Clemson at 4-3 after a disappointing home loss. Hosts note the fanbase’s growing frustration and the volume of negative stats/charts circulating. Channel-member shoutouts and sponsor plug (FanDuel). Tone set early: “All is not well in Clemson” — they acknowledge the negativity while committing to discuss it directly. Virginia Tech Game Recap (≈00:09:20–00:26:00) Final: Clemson 16, Virginia Tech 20 (home loss in Death Valley). Home record vs. Power 4: 2-8 in last 10 games — worst stretch in 30+ years (worse than Ken Hatfield’s 5-5 or Tommy West’s 4-6 stretches). Offense: More of the same. Inability to move the ball consistently past the opponent’s 40, severe red-zone issues, and failure to finish drives. Only one strong quarter (third) that produced limited points despite high yards per play. Classic example: VT’s failed fake punt gave Clemson the ball at the 31; three negative plays and a punt followed. Defense: Played well enough (held a top-10 passing offense to 164 yards, multiple TFLs and sacks, secondary lights out). Solid special teams; Nolan Hauser continues strong Groza candidacy. Bottom line from both hosts: competent defense being let down by an offense that cannot score touchdowns. Clemson is the only FBS team being outscored by its own defense + special teams in some graphics circulating. Broader frustration: Death Valley no longer feels intimidating; program feels “unserious.” Blame directed at complacency, stubbornness, and roster/resource decisions under Dabo. Quarterback Situation & Dabo’s Messaging (≈00:26:00–01:10:00+) Deep dive into the Tate Reynolds vs. Christopher Vizzina (CV/Fazina) handling. Timeline of messaging: Spring/fall camp: CV was the clear guy; no portal QB pursued because of conviction in him. After LSU and early Georgia Southern: Dabo named Tate the starter, saying it was performance-based and unrelated to CV’s health. Later: CV had a fracture + numbness; Dabo had strung the media/fans along about his readiness. Charleston Southern story about putting Brock Bradley in painted CV negatively. Current state: Dabo now says CV is 100% healthy and can push Tate, but earlier comments framed Tate as having “earned” it. Hosts’ take (especially TPC): Tate has not slammed the door (same or worse production than CV in limited snaps; zero passing TDs in recent stretch including vs. FCS). CV barely got a real look before injury. Both have been mismanaged. If CV was the preseason guy, he deserves another chance now that he’s healthy — not because it magically fixes the offense, but because neither has proven himself and the current product is anemic. Skill talent (Tyler Brown, Bryant Wesco, TJ Moore, TEs) is being wasted. No functional passing game beyond screens/slants/quick game. Offensive line and QB play both major issues; no easy in-season fixes. Florida State Preview & Score Predictions (≈01:25:00–01:35:00) Road night game at Doak Campbell. FSU is favored. Keys for FSU: Ashton Daniels’ decision-making (don’t give Clemson short fields), establish the run, avoid forcing deep passes. Keys for Clemson: Get after Daniels (Tom Allen mix man/zone to confuse him), force turnovers or a defensive score. Offensively, must establish the run because there is no reliable passing game. Need explosive plays and actual touchdowns, not just field goals. Both hosts pick Florida State. Jordan: FSU 27-16. TPC: FSU 23-16 (under, FSU covers ~6.5). Shared view: Clemson’s defense can keep it competitive for stretches, but the offense is unlikely to score enough TDs. Over/under (around 50.5) viewed as too high given Clemson’s offensive output. Expect field-goal heavy game. Basketball Update (≈01:36:45–end of planned segment) Carter Welling (men’s basketball) out for all non-conference play while recovering from torn ACL; optimistic for conference play return. Brad Brownell’s group viewed positively despite injuries (Zach Foster ACL, Dylan Hunter eligibility still pending). Transfers (Dylan Faulkner, David Fuchs, etc.) + young talent (Ace Buckner, Dallas Thomas, Chase Thompson) give them a chance to be a top-5/6 ACC team and push for another NCAA Tournament (would be 4th straight). Women’s program under Shawn Poppie also generating optimism (Mia Moore return, strong incoming class, rising support). Chat / Closing Notes Fans discuss remaining schedule (FSU, @Syracuse, GT, @Duke, SC). Hosts lean toward Clemson going 2-3 the rest of the way (most likely wins: Syracuse + GT) rather than 3-2, ending around 6-6. Dabo’s critical comments on Gideon’s running (missed holes, wrong cuts) noted; hosts say criticism should be broader. Pick’em challenge plug (Friday 8 p.m.) after a rough stretch for the hosts. Sign-off with usual audio-platform and members-stream reminders. Overall tone: Frustrated but clear-eyed. Defense and special teams are relative bright spots; the offense (especially QB play, red-zone execution, and play-calling) and roster-building decisions are the core problems. Little optimism for a sudden offensive turnaround before the FSU game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clemson vs. Virginia Tech Postgame LIVE (ClemsonVOCFB) Hosts: Jordan Bowman & Edward “Tiger Paw” Craven Guest: Conor Doherty (VirginiaTechVOCFB) Context: Instant reaction to Clemson’s home loss to Virginia Tech (James Franklin’s first year). Heavy focus on the offense, QB situation, Dabo Swinney’s responsibility, defense performance, and broader program issues. Opening & Initial Reaction (approx. 00:02:40 – 00:08:00) Tiger Paw welcomes viewers to Clemson Post Game Live on ClemsonVOCFB. Promotes subscribe, like, FanDuel, Tuesday All-In Show (8 p.m.), and members-only watch-alongs. Jordan Bowman joins: Immediate frustration. Calls the offense “awful” and “mind-blowing” how low it has gotten. Back-to-back home losses; offense couldn’t reach the 20s in either. No passing touchdown in four weeks. Notes Dabo was “real mad” at halftime and claimed he would fix it (hosts joke that it only lasted one drive). Consensus: Game stayed relatively close mainly because Virginia Tech is not particularly good. Against a better team this would have been a blowout (reference to Miami). Offense Critique – Core Theme (approx. 00:08:00 – 00:20:00) Offense described as having “nothing redeeming.” Quarterback play has not improved since Week 1. Easy plays are hard; big-play attempts show poor pocket awareness and late throws. Tate Reynolds (true freshman, missed senior year of high school due to injury): Not ready to start at this level. Holds the ball too long, misses open receivers, doesn’t process quickly enough. Offensive line issues compound it, but hosts say the QB situation is a “massive indictment on Dabo.” Stats highlighted: Team has only two passing TDs all season (one by a QB who hasn’t played since Week 2); starting QB has one. Nolan Hauser (kicker) is the most consistent scorer. Specific sequence called out as emblematic: VT gift-wraps the ball near midfield via a failed fake punt; Clemson runs three negative plays (two sacks) and punts. Hosts call the offense an “absolute disgrace,” “disgusting to watch,” and an insult to the fan base. Full indictment on the entire offensive coaching staff. Running game had some success (including QB power), but not enough volume or explosiveness. VT’s secondary was weak and still limited Clemson’s passing attack (roughly 153 yards on 26 attempts, ~5.9 YPA). Defense & Game Context (approx. 00:08:00 – 00:16:00 and ongoing) Defense generally praised: 6 sacks, ~11 TFLs, held VT to ~70 rushing yards and ~160 passing yards (against a high-volume passing offense). Secondary continues to play well. Not full marks: Costly penalties and failure to get the final stop on VT’s game-winning drive. Defense kept Clemson in the game but cannot carry an offense this bad (comparison to 2021 defense, which had a less burdensome offense). Overall framing: Two mediocre teams. Clemson’s home record in recent Power games is poor (cited as 10-9 in last 19). QB Change Discussion & Season Outlook (approx. 00:16:00 – 00:28:00) Strong push to give Chris Vazina (Fazina) another look once healthy. Hosts argue it “can’t be worse” and that Reynolds is not magically going to improve midseason. Offense described as extremely limited—comfortable with only a handful of plays. Play-calling (including a timeout into a previously stuffed QB counter from the same formation) criticized. Rest of season: Thin margins. Expect more games like this (or blowouts vs. better teams). Hosts say they cannot confidently pick Clemson to win remaining games without significant change. Schedule has winnable games, but scoring is the problem. Broader comparison: South Carolina has improved via the portal (OL, coordinator help). Clemson’s defense improved markedly through portal additions; offense did not. Extended Frustration & Program-Level Critique (approx. 00:28:00 – 01:00:00) “Whiplash” description: Defense looks good → offense comes out and immediately frustrates. Offensive coordinators and position coaches have been cycled (Tony Elliott → Brandon Streeter → Garrett Riley → Chad Morris, plus OL coach changes including Matt Luke). Hosts argue continued scapegoating of coordinators is insufficient; the common denominator is the head coach’s philosophy and decision-making (especially portal reluctance on offense vs. defense). Dabo framed as a CEO/GM-type who controls every football decision. Hosts note Clemson has a GM/front-office structure, but ultimate authority remains with him. New university president (Ben Jones, from Georgia) has no strong ties to the current AD or Dabo; donor frustration is rising. Home losses and offensive regression are accelerating pressure. Skill players are talented but may not stay if the situation doesn’t improve. Guest Segment – Conor Doherty (VirginiaTechVOCFB) Joins (approx. 01:00:00 – 01:55:00) Conor joins live. Mutual respect and casual rapport; hosts note the broadcast kept calling them “rivals” despite limited recent history (first meeting at Clemson in a long time; series includes some ACC title games and the 2001 Gator Bowl). Long discussion covers: VT’s Year 1 under James Franklin being more disciplined than expected, though still not elite. Shared frustration with offensive stagnation and coaching. Portal and roster-building philosophy differences. Clemson’s remaining schedule is manageable on paper (most opponents currently ranked below them), but margins are razor-thin without scoring. Historical notes (e.g., 2001 Gator Bowl). Both sides express that the issues are structural and not easily fixed in-season. Tone remains candid and critical of the current Clemson offensive product while acknowledging defensive progress. Closing (approx. 01:55:00 – end) Hosts thank Conor and plug the Virginia Tech VOCFB channel. Final thoughts: Offense remains the constant problem; defense can keep games close. Call for change (especially at QB) if the season is to improve. Promotions for All-In Show (Tuesday 8 p.m.) and members content. Shout-outs to Super Chat and channel members. Sign-off: “Go Tigers.” Overall Tone: Highly critical and frustrated, focused almost entirely on the offense and Dabo’s role in the QB/portal decisions. Defense receives consistent praise. The guest segment adds outside perspective and lengthens the show into a broader coaching/program discussion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode Notes: WTF IS A HOKIE ANYWAY? / Clemson Tigers LIVE 218 / ALL IN SHOW 198 Hosts: Jordan Bowman & Edward “Tiger Paw” Craven (TPC) Network: ClemsonVOCFB (The Voice of College Football) Format: Live show covering Week 7 national recap, 24-team playoff expansion, Virginia Tech preview/prediction, player update, and comment section. Intro & Open (00:03–00:08) TPC welcomes viewers to the All In Show; thanks FanDuel as title sponsor (over/unders, money lines, props, college football focus). Agenda: Week 7 chaos, 24-team playoff thoughts, Virginia Tech preview/prediction, then comment section (priority to channel members/super chats). Brings on co-host Jordan Bowman. Hokie joke/clip-worthy (00:05:39–00:06:16): Bowman ate chicken wings in honor of the VT preview (“I’m told a Hokie is a type of chicken… or a turkey”). Light banter about Thanksgiving timing and Zaxby’s as a substitute for smoked turkey wings. Week 7 Recap – “Pandemonium” (00:08–~00:27) TPC was traveling (daughter’s softball tournament) but caught highlights; Bowman watched extensively (YouTube TV multi-view). Both describe the AP poll as looking like “a bomb went off.” Key results discussed: #1 Georgia falls to Auburn (on the road at Sanford). Byron Brown’s ground performance stood out; Georgia defense looked uncharacteristically out of sorts. Bowman notes possible letdown after emotional Alabama win and consecutive games. Positive for Alex Golesh in Year 1 (beat Kirby before Sark did). Auburn’s long rebuild path (post-Gus, Harsin, Freeze) mentioned. #2 Notre Dame falls to BYU (double OT / controversial ending). BYU physical defensively; Bear Bachmeier solid and mistake-free. Discussion of the final-play non-PI call and earlier CJ Carr spike fumble that cost points. Both hosts note Notre Dame is more talented but failed to close; “you can’t rely on one call.” #4 Indiana falls to Ohio State. Expected but noted. Texas loses to Florida. Heavy criticism of Arch Manning (“I’m out on Arch Manning… the only one not out is Steve Sarkeesian”). Decision-making and tape criticized after years behind Quinn Ewers. Offensive line and run game also poor against a pedestrian Florida defense. Questions whether Texas makes the playoff. Clemson’s early recruiting interest in Arch (then pivoted to Chris Vazina/Rosina) noted in retrospect as less of a miss. Alabama loses to Tennessee. Bowman correctly picked Tennessee. Tennessee’s defense (especially front seven under Jim Knowles) praised as one of the country’s best; Keelan Russell “seeing ghosts.” Ironic that Heupel’s program is now defense-led while QB play (Faison Brandon benched, George McIntyre) and explosives have been inconsistent. Deshaun Bishop’s rushing volume helps. Ohio State fans may have undervalued Knowles. Overall: Explosive Saturday with upsets and drama in every window. “Great day of college football” for neutrals; regular-season stakes still matter for now. 24-Team Playoff Expansion Discussion (~00:27–~00:45+) Hosts finally address the near-finalized expansion (set to debut around 2027 after the current 12-team model). Structure outlined by TPC: 5 automatic qualifiers: Power 4 conference champions (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12) + highest-ranked Group of 6. 19 at-large bids selected by the CFP committee. First round: seeds 9–24 (on-campus, higher seed hosts). Top 8 get first-round bye. Second round also on-campus (higher seeds). Quarterfinals and semifinals at traditional New Year’s Six bowls; national championship at neutral NFL stadium. Shared skepticism / criticism: Primarily about money/commercialization. Waters down the regular season further (already reduced by 12-team). A loss (e.g., Georgia to Auburn) will matter even less; teams can absorb 2–3 losses and still make it. Feels more like the NFL; reduces the unique stakes and rivalry intensity that set college football apart. More access for “fringe” teams, but bottom half of the field (especially 9–24) has little realistic path to noise-making. Same blue-blood programs will still dominate due to resources/NIL/facilities. FCS playoff cited as proof that large fields don’t create new dynasties or meaningful opportunity for outsiders. Positive notes: home playoff games are exciting for fans and earned teams. Bowman: “I quite frankly hate this” but will still watch. TPC agrees it’s further erosion of what made the sport special, not the final nail but part of a long trend. Conference championship games and big non-conference matchups likely further reduced or eliminated; season may start a week earlier; Army-Navy standalone status uncertain. Virginia Tech Preview & Prediction (~00:46–~01:20) Game details: Clemson (4-2) vs. Virginia Tech (5-2), 7 p.m. ET in Death Valley (ESPN). Clemson context: Ugly blowout losses to Miami and LSU; recent 37-0 win over Charleston Southern that “looked terrible.” Still mathematically alive for ACC Championship race. VT context: Stronger offense (~37+ points/game, allowing ~20). QB Ethan Grunkenmeier completing north of 73%. Defensive front generates TFLs and pressure — concern for Clemson’s offensive line. Bowman: “This is the most important game Clemson has played this year” for ACC race positioning and momentum. Offense vs. defense matchup discussed at length (VT’s ability to exploit Clemson’s front; Clemson’s need for better protection and execution from young QB Tate Reynolds and receivers). Additional notes on VT’s defensive identity and overall physicality. Heaven Brown-Schuler (HBS) Update (~01:20–01:25) Clemson DT diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier in the year; missed entire season while undergoing chemo. Last chemo treatment scheduled for Thursday; will ring the bell. Still attending classes, workouts, and team meetings throughout treatment. Both hosts praise his resilience and positivity. Hope for clean PET scan and return to normalcy (and eventually football). Personal notes on how cancer affects families; emphasis that these are young people dealing with real-life challenges beyond the sport. Comment Section Highlights (~01:26–end) Topics and responses include: TJ Moore: Expected bounce-back after poor performance (drops, called out by Dabo). Hosts buy that he has his best game yet; note limited route tree usage (mostly verticals/screens) and lack of consistent targets. Confidence/opportunity issues discussed. Officiating: Call for nationalizing/standardizing officials (vs. conference-specific), full-time professional refs with grading (like MLB umpires), incentive pay, and better governance. Current part-time system criticized amid the sport’s revenue. Clemson passing game / offense: No magical fix — execution, offensive line protection, and young QB decision-making are the issues. Suggestions for more RPOs, short/intermediate routes, getting TEs and receivers in space. Red-zone problems (penalties, play-calling, turnovers) repeatedly called out. Team has only two passing TDs on the year (Tate has one). 24-team playoff effects: Further reduction in non-conference big games and conference championships; regular-season meaning continues to erode. Other light banter and fan engagement. Outro Promotion of VOCFB shop/merch, podcast platforms, channel membership (priority comments + exclusive streams). Reminder of Friday Pick’em show (hosts currently struggling in standings). Sign-off: Go Tigers. Overall tone: Energetic, candid, and critical of both Clemson’s current offense and the broader direction of college football (playoff expansion, governance, officiating). Strong emphasis on regular-season stakes that are being diluted, plus human-interest support for HBS. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clemson 37, Charleston Southern 0 – Postgame LIVE Episode Notes Hosts: Jordan Bowman & Edward “Tiger Paw” Craven (TPC) Channel: Clemson Voice of College Football (ClemsonVOCFB) Final: Clemson 37-0 | Record: 4-2 Spread note: Clemson failed to cover the 43.5-point spread despite scoring 34 in the first half. Opening / Overall Tone (≈1:38–6:00) Final score announced; Clemson is 4-2. TPC’s immediate take: Ugly win against a weak FCS team. “Nothing has changed… This team is who they are this year.” Offense is bad (no real downfield passing game). O-line looked better at times but still lost key battles (including goal-to-go). “This team’s not done losing.” Frustrated / resigned annoyance more than pure anger at this point. Expected to be able to do whatever they wanted against Charleston Southern and could not. Positives (≈6:00–9:10) Defense: Lights-out after the first drive. Charleston Southern finished with just 76 total yards. Four sacks (Caden Story 2, London Merritt 1, Vic Burley 1). Perfect on third and fourth down. DBs solid; linebackers settled in after adjusting to motion. Special teams: Continued impact. Multiple good returns creating field position, blocked punt (called back for illegal substitution), and a fumble forced on a kick return that was returned for a touchdown. Nolan Hooser 3/3, including a 59-yarder (second-longest in school history). Shout-out to coordinator Rich Versace’s group. Running backs: Jay Haynes back (limited but good to see). Chris Johnson Jr. with some nice runs. Gideon Davidson looked good. Max Wilson broke off a big run and had some tough yardage late. Receiving: Christian Benneker led the way (4 catches, 74 yards) with some after-the-catch plays and a big seam catch from Trent Pearman (drive ultimately stalled in the red zone). Offense Breakdown – Main Focus (≈9:10–22:00) Passing offense is statistically the worst of Dabo Swinney’s tenure through six games. No passing touchdown against an FCS opponent (should have had at least one). Tate Reynolds: Raw and not ready to be a full-time starter, but “not that poorly.” Some nice throws, escaped pressure, didn’t put the ball in harm’s way much (most throws were either incomplete or completed; limited turnover-worthy plays). Still missed some open guys and made some wrong decisions. Should have finished with a better stat line. TJ Moore: Major frustration. Did not look comfortable catching the ball. Multiple goal-line fades that should have been completed; got bullied by physical (non-starting) Charleston Southern corners. Appears frustrated or a bit checked out after limited opportunities earlier in the year. Still regarded as one of the best receivers on the roster—just had a bad day. Play-calling / red zone: Heavy criticism of Chad Morris and the insistence on goal-line fades (low-percentage, repeated 4–5 times). Other ways exist to get the ball to receivers in the end zone (screens, etc.). Team can move the ball between the 20s at times but consistently cannot finish drives. Penalties and general “nonsense” in the red zone. Offensive line: Better than usual in the first half (consistent push, limited pressure on Tate). Not the primary culprit today because of the physical mismatch, but still lost some battles (including goal-to-go). Hosts expect the issues to reappear next week against better competition. Right side remains a problem; limited depth and cohesion. Bigger-Picture Take (≈15:40–26:00) “There is no solution” for the remainder of the season. This is the team. No magic depth-chart flip or schematic fix is coming. Offense will continue to be disjointed, hard to watch, and dependent on Nolan Hooser for points. Personnel deficiencies (especially OL and QB room) cannot be cleaned up midseason; some execution issues can. Explicit criticism of Dabo Swinney: “This is a complete failure of Dabo Swinney… We didn’t have to get this bad.” Special teams remains the most consistent unit. Defense did its job. Offense is the clear problem and will stay that way. Freshmen/younger players involvement noted positively in limited snaps (Gordon Sellers with a catch and a called-back TD, Logan Brookin, Juju Preston, etc.). Looking Ahead (≈22:50–31:00) Next: Virginia Tech at home. Physical defensive front. Winnable game, but OL will be challenged again. “Tough to lose two back-to-back power-forward games in the Valley.” Then: Road game at Florida State on Halloween. Passing game likely remains short/underneath and YAC-dependent. Need playmakers (especially Moore) to help the young QB more. Offseason: Strong consensus that the portal must be hit hard on offense (similar to what was done on defense). “Every starter could be back” comment from Dabo is not reassuring. Need immediate-impact talent at multiple spots (OL, QB help, etc.) while still developing the current roster. ACC money is sufficient to compete. Comment Section Highlights (≈33:00–end) Suggestion to go full ground-and-pound / 2009-style and control the clock: Hosts skeptical—roster not built for it, and they’re still trying to develop a passing game for the future. Portal questions: Hope Dabo hits it hard rather than relying solely on internal development. Defense’s portal success this year is the model. OL discussion: Not physically weak or out of shape, but lacks cohesion, has a weak link in most combinations, and struggles with missed assignments. Right side has been a season-long issue. Tate development: Some positives seen (progressions, checkdowns, downfield throws that were on the money). Still limited by the supporting cast and scheme. Overall fan sentiment reflected: Glad for the win and defensive/special-teams play, but little hope with an offense ranked near the bottom of the country. Quick Clip / Short-Form Ideas TPC: “This team is who they are this year… This team’s not done losing.” “Only Clemson can make a 37-point win feel like a loss.” Goal-line fade critique + TJ Moore drops. “There is no solution” monologue. Nolan Hooser 59-yarder + special teams consistency. Dabo “every starter could be back” reaction. Bottom line from the hosts: Defense and special teams did their jobs. The offense remains broken, the season is what it is (more losses coming), and real fixes are an offseason conversation. On to Virginia Tech. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clemson Tigers LIVE 217 / All In Show 197: Back to Work Hosts: Jordan Bowman & Edward “Tiger Paw” Craven (TPC) Aired on: ClemsonVOCFB Focus: Charleston Southern preview, depth chart/OL & defense updates, Dabo bye-week comments, RJ Hudson decommitment, Zach Foster ACL re-tear, game predictions, and comments. Opening & Show Setup ~00:02:42–00:06:30 Jordan opens, welcomes viewers, promotes FanDuel sponsorship, likes/subscribes, and shout-outs early chat (KD). Brings on co-host TPC. Both recap solid weeks (TPC has flag football + softball tournament upcoming). Frame the episode: upcoming Charleston Southern game, Dabo’s presser, recruiting decommitment, and Clemson basketball news. Season context: 3-2, not the start hoped for, but schedule still manageable with a potential turnaround if execution improves. Emphasis on “turning the page.” Clip-friendly: Intro energy and season framing (00:02:42–00:06:00). Depth Chart Breakdown — Offensive Line Focus ~00:06:39–00:16:40 Latest depth chart shows shake-ups from injuries and performance. Key OL note: Easton Ware elevated to starting right guard (confirmed by Matt Luke into the bye and Dabo post-bye). TPC highlights Ware’s athleticism, polish vs. Grant Wise/Ronan O’Connell, and fit for Chad Morris’s pulling/downfield blocking scheme. He stabilized late in the Miami game. Broader OL discussion: Inconsistency has been the root of offensive issues (timeouts, penalties, protection). Dabo mentioned wanting Elijah Thurman right-tackle reps. Hosts debate best-five combinations (Gavin Blanchard at LG solid; possible slides of Colin Sadler inside or Thurman outside). Urgency: Five games in, bye week used—must solidify the right side before tougher games (Virginia Tech, South Carolina/Dylan Stewart). Against CSU it’s a confidence-builder opportunity, not empty-the-bench time early. Need functional, at least average Power-conference OL play. Jordan stresses treating every remaining game with urgency even if the overall season isn’t yet desperate. Key takeaway/clip: Easton Ware starting RG + OL reset urgency (00:07:00–00:11:30 and 00:13:00–00:16:00). Defensive Line, Nickel & Linebacker Updates ~00:16:45–00:26:40 DL: Champ Thompson, Darien Mayo, Amari Adams, Andy Burberry in the mix. Big addition is Courtney Kelly (West Georgia transfer, torn ACL) returning—limited/snap-count expected but positive body and potential difference-maker at a weak spot. Hosts happy just to see his name on the chart; room has been unhealthy all year (DeVar Woods in/out too). Nickel/Tiger: Donovan Starr (Auburn portal, true sophomore, high-upside athlete/speed) projected starter with Corian Gibson injured. Dabo confirmed. Hosts high on him—Clemson recruited him hard out of HS; progress has been mostly mental/comfort in the scheme. He’s already passed Tink Kelly. Opportunity to solidify the spot and add juice. LB: Jeremiah Alexander officially listed as Mike starter (not an “or” with Fletcher Cothran). He’s flashed more recently in run fits and pass rush; coverage concerns remain but coaches are comfortable enough to start him opposite Sammy Brown. Oldest scholarship guy in a thin room—needs to step up. Clip-friendly: Courtney Kelly return excitement + Donovan Starr opportunity (00:17:00–00:23:00). Dabo Swinney Presser Takeaways ~00:27:50–00:40:00 Bye-week approach: Peeled back layers on procedural/execution issues (OL, QB vision, perimeter blocking, RB vision). Full live scrimmage (unusual for Clemson bye weeks). “Reset” focus. Running game: Media noted RBs averaging ~5.2 YPC; Dabo jokingly invited accountability on Gideon Davidson carries. Hosts agree they need more early-game commitment to the run (circumstances of being down have limited it). Jay Haynes: Possible sighting if he stays healthy—extreme injury history. Coaches love his natural vision and pure runner traits (compared favorably to Jarvis Green but more physical). Overall tone: Execution fixes won’t make them a playoff team overnight, but stopping the self-inflicted issues would look much better. Didn’t look ahead to CSU because they didn’t need to. Hosts: “See it to believe it” with this group. Attention to detail and little things must improve for remaining games to be realistically winnable. Clip-friendly: Bye-week reset + running game accountability + Jay Haynes comments (00:28:00–00:33:00). Charleston Southern Game Expectations & What to Watch ~00:50:00–01:00:00 (approx. range; continues into predictions) Should not be close talent-wise (FCS mismatch). Focus is how Clemson looks: clean execution, confidence builder, first-team OL/offense continuity and reps. Want to see: Established run game, play-action, Tate connecting on true downfield shots (20+ air yards) to Wesco, Moore, TEs—he’s been inaccurate there so far. Offense has been clunky/disjointed/allergic to the red zone; this is the “get-right” week. Not about final score dominance alone—about looking easy and building trust. If they can’t execute near-flawlessly here, bigger concerns remain. OL should hold up; failure would be telling. Clip-friendly: “Get-right game” framing and downfield passing emphasis for Tate (00:54:50–00:58:00). Predictions ~01:00:00–01:04:00 Clemson is a ~42.5-point favorite. Both hosts refuse to pick the cover due to ongoing inconsistency and young QB. Jordan: Clemson 38-10 (first 30+ point game of the season if it happens; some stall moments still expected). TPC: Comfortable win, similar scoring range; CSU might find the end zone once (late garbage). Shared view: Win comfortably but still clean-up items heading into next week. Turnover battle and red-zone efficiency remain question marks. Recruiting: RJ Hudson Decommitment ~01:05:00–01:12:00 3-star LB RJ Hudson decommitted after setting an official visit to Texas. Aligns with Dabo’s policy (no official visits once publicly committed). Not surprising given season results; first domino of potential vulnerability in the 2027 class. Not viewed as detrimental: Not a Day 1 starter type (tape better than 3-star rating). Texas has LB needs; don’t enter a bidding war. Reallocate resources toward higher priorities (QB, 5-star WR) or portal help. Portal exists for immediate contributors. Best of luck to Hudson—it’s a business. Class remains solid verbally for now; keep an eye on other targets. Clip-friendly: Dabo policy explanation + “not the end of the world” take (01:06:00–01:09:30). Basketball: Zach Foster Re-Tears ACL ~01:12:00–01:18:00 Sophomore guard Zach Foster re-tore the same ACL he missed most of last season recovering from. Devastating for the player (hard work to return) and program. Expected integral part of the guard rotation with high upside/athleticism (potential star if shooting develops). Thins an already-watchful rotation. Still have good guard pieces (Ace Buckner Year 2, true freshman Harris Reynolds impressing, possible Dylan Hunter eligibility). One more injury would be problematic with season approaching. Longer recovery window this time; hope for more permanent fix. Thoughts with Foster. Clip-friendly: Impact on rotation + empathy for the player (01:12:30–01:15:00). Comments, Pick’em Update & Close ~01:18:00–end Members/Super Chats prioritized. Comments touch on two QBs throwing TDs, Pick’em Challenge tumble (5-11 week, dropped from near top to tied for 7th), AP Poll/SEC bias, baseball vs. basketball talk, OL rotation desires, etc. Hosts promote podcast platforms, vocfb.com, Friday Pick’em stream (~8 p.m.), and Saturday members-only pre/post-game. Wrap: Jordan Bowman and Tiger Paul Craven sign off. Go Tigers. Overall Episode Themes & Takeaways OL is the foundation. Easton Ware start is a positive step; continuity and execution vs. CSU is the litmus test. Defense additions (Kelly, Starr, Alexander) provide upside amid injuries. Bye-week reset is acknowledged but “show me” mode remains. Recruiting/basketball news is unfortunate but not catastrophic in isolation. Tone: Cautious optimism mixed with realism—3-2 with a manageable schedule, but self-inflicted issues must stop. CSU is a confidence and process game, not a measuring stick for the ceiling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.