The Clemson Tigers came into 2025 as serious candidates for the College Football Playoff. There was even talk of Cade Klubnik being a top-three preseason candidate for the Heisman Trophy. While they opened their season with a 10-17 defeat to the LSU Tigers, the alarms weren’t going off at Clemson yet. The SEC program is also a serious contender for the CFP (and the national title), and the defeat by a touchdown could be a simple fluke.
However, a Week 3 defeat (24-21) to Georgia Tech started to worry fans and analysts alike. But their Week 4 encounter against Syracuse is starting to make fans wonder if they are about to witness an implosion similar to the one by the Florida State Seminoles in 2024. At halftime, the Tigers are down 24-10, and they don’t seem much inclined to get back in the game.
Fans online are just shocked about the Clemson Tigers’ performance in the first half of their game against Syracuse.
If someone asks me to describe the Clemson football program. pic.twitter.com/B8qAqhdiC7
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) September 20, 2025
Being a Clemson fan has to be difficult right now.
Every Clemson football fan right now….. pic.twitter.com/GkCWOiAVX8
— h8er (@h8erhood) September 20, 2025
Are College Football Playoff dreams dead at Clemson?
Clemson is COOKED. pic.twitter.com/StSH8rDkKP
— College Sports Only 🏈🏀⚾️ (@CollegeSportsO) September 20, 2025
Faces in the Clemson crowd are just shocking.
Clemson fans rn pic.twitter.com/Egoe91y44i
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 20, 2025
It has been a difficult four years for the Tigers.
Clemson ever since Trevor Lawrence left pic.twitter.com/0ISoPPmfTr
— BABYFACEDASSASSIN👨🍳💫🪽 (@15RINGSZN) September 20, 2025
Could it be that the Tigers aren’t that good?
Maybe Clemson really is that bad pic.twitter.com/RyHDamkgjE
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) September 20, 2025
Dabo Swinney doesn’t seem to be taking it well.
I don’t want to hear another word from cLemson fans about Beamer’s “meltdowns.” pic.twitter.com/aXQvhwrpjq
— Tyler (@J_Ty_W) September 20, 2025
Some fans seem to be enjoying what’s happening to Clemson.
The Clemson fans Boos are like a symphony to me today pic.twitter.com/TISUj4RMNe
— Syracuse Memes (@Cusememes) September 20, 2025
Does Clemson even have the weapons to stop Syracuse?
The only way Clemson can realistically stop Syracuse the rest of the game pic.twitter.com/EVXH5CaOoh
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) September 20, 2025
Is it time to celebrate?
The entire college football world watching Clemson’s downfall pic.twitter.com/owhzodQJNx
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 20, 2025
Clemson vs. Syracuse Stats At Halftime
Cade Klubnik is not even having an incredibly poor game. He has so far thrown for 152 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while having a 74.1% completion percentage. His numbers are similar to those of Syracuse’s signal-caller, Steve Angeli, who has 180 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 64% completion percentage.
The big difference has been Clemson’s total inability to stop Syracuse’s offense, especially in the running game. In total, the Orange has 303 yards. 123 of those have come by the running game, to Clemson’s 88 rushing yards.
The Tigers have also had more penalties, losing 55 yards to Syracuse’s 27.
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