Clemson Challenging to Be Nation's No. 1 Team

Up 42-0 on Miami at halftime Saturday, Dabo Swinney sent a message to his Clemson football team. Rather than head to the locker room for adjustments and discussion, Swinney gathered his players around him on Sun Life Stadium’s sideline for an animated talk.

Swinney didn’t want his players to get pulled into the quagmire of the Hurricanes’ trash talk and late hits. But in reality, his team had already sent the most important message: It's ready to thrive on a national stage.

The coach agrees, according to David Hood of TigerNet.com:

No. 6 Clemson dealt Miami a 58-0 beating, the Hurricanes’ worst loss in their 90 years of college football. It was rock-bottom for Miami but a sign that the Tigers are ready to stake their claim as the nation’s top team.

Clemson, a squad that did its share of retooling this fall with young skill players and defenders, has steadily improved. The 7-0 Tigers have scored at least 40 points four times this season, and Saturday was one of the offense’s top efforts and highest point total for the year.

Led by sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, Clemson scored touchdowns on each of its first four possessions and was never challenged. An eight-play, 82-yard touchdown drive capped by a 34-yard Jordan Leggett catch and a second touchdown keyed by Watson’s 63-yard sprint to inside the Miami 10-yard line set the tone.

Swinney liked what he saw, per Hood:

There were real reasons to be concerned about the Tigers defense entering the season, given that defensive coordinator Brent Venables got back just two starters from a unit that ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense. But this year's group has shown steady improvement with new contributors across the board.

Saturday, a sack from star defensive end Shaq Lawson knocked Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya out of the game with a concussion in the second quarter, and the Hurricanes never got their mojo back. Entering Saturday, Clemson was No. 10 nationally in total defense and No. 14 in scoring defense, and it should move upward in both rankings this week.

The offense has lagged behind the defense at times (ranked No. 34 in both scoring and total offense), and Watson had thrown seven interceptions (against 14 touchdowns) entering Saturday. But it is improving by the week. And the margin of victory over Miami could have been much bigger had Swinney not pulled the entire starting offense with his team up 45-0 midway through the third quarter.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Watson is a threat to score with his legs and arm, and he’s surrounded by major talent, including wideout Artavis Scott and tailback Wayne Gallman as well as an improving offensive line.

Are the Tigers the nation’s best team right now?

Perhaps so. Ohio State is 7-0 and the defending national champion, but the Buckeyes have looked sluggish at times and have no wins over a current Associated Press Top 25 team.

No. 2 Baylor has a strong offense but also has no current Top 25 wins. No. 3 Utah looked very good in a 62-20 rout at Oregon, and its win over Michigan holds cache, but after Cal’s loss at UCLA, the Utes will have just one win over a current Top 25 team next week.

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

No. 4 TCU is unbeaten at 7-0 and has no current Top 25 wins. And it had narrow, late escapes at Kansas State and Texas Tech. No. 5 LSU has one current Top 25 win following last week’s 35-28 victory over Florida and has the nation’s most impressive player in sophomore tailback Leonard Fournette.

Of that six-team group, which squad owns the highest-ranked win, per this week’s Top 25? That’s right: Clemson. Notre Dame was No. 11 in Week 8.

With four consecutive campaigns with at least 10 wins under Swinney’s watch, Clemson was already one of the nation’s best teams as this season began. Over the first seven games, the Tigers have made the case that they’re a truly elite team, and they’re pushing to the top of the heap.

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman likes what he's been seeing from Clemson:

While national polls don’t typically jump teams from No. 6 to No. 1 without some serious fallout above the squad in question, Clemson is showing why it deserves, at the very least, some No. 1 votes and clear consideration for one of four College Football Playoff spots.

And once the CFP selection committee releases its first poll November 3, the Tigers should get serious consideration for the top spot. That, right there, is a statement that Swinney and his team would be proud to stand behind.