Located just outside of Clemson, South Carolina, on a two-lane bypass around the main highway into town, you’ll find Mac’s Drive-In. A beloved Clemson touchstone for over 50 years, this tiny diner, not much bigger than a high-school classroom, is a treasure trove of Clemson Tiger memorabilia. From glossy photos to autographed pants and even a goalpost that wraps around one corner, every free surface is adorned with Clemson pride.
Mac’s Drive-In has faced a new challenge in recent years during the Dabo Swinney era: how to fit piles of new championship merchandise into an already jam-packed space. However, as the 2023 Tigers struggle, it’s uncertain whether there will be any relics of their season adorning Mac’s walls.
The phrase “Best is the Standard” hangs prominently in Clemson’s football palace, defining the mindset under Swinney’s leadership. Clemson has consistently met this standard, experiencing only one losing season in Swinney’s tenure. Since then, they have won double-digit games every year, claiming two national championships and dominating the ACC.
However, this season, Clemson finds themselves in a full-on skid. Despite starting last year with an 8-0 record in the ACC, losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina dashed their hopes of a College Football Playoff appearance. Now, sitting at 4-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play, Clemson appears lost under Swinney’s illustrious reign. Their only conference wins have come against struggling teams like Syracuse and Wake Forest, with the rest of their victories against mediocre opponents.
On the field, quarterbacks D.J. Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik have not lived up to the championship standard set by Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson. Turnovers have plagued the Tigers, allowing teams like Florida State, Duke, North Carolina, and NC State to soar past them in the ACC standings.
Amidst simmering rage and frustration, “Tyler from Spartanburg” called into Swinney’s radio show on Monday night, sparking a heated exchange. Tyler’s critical remarks launched Swinney into a defensive, five-minute rant defending his accomplishments and challenging those who doubted him and his team.
“The expectation is greater than the appreciation. And that’s the problem,” seethed Swinney. “We’ve won 12 10-plus-win seasons in a row. That’s only happened three times in 150 years. So if you’re wondering why Clemson hasn’t won a national championship in 35 years, remember that we’ve won two in the past seven years. And only Georgia and Alabama can say the same. Okay?”
For a school that was recently contending with powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State, Clemson’s fall has been steep. They now find themselves in the company of lesser-known programs like Auburn, Northwestern, Texas Tech, and Cal. Tyler from Spartanburg’s comments may have either fueled Clemson’s fire or extinguished the last remnants of their competitive spirit.
Some speculate that Swinney used this incident as motivation for his team, similar to a baseball manager getting ejected from a game to rally his players. While many acknowledge that Tyler’s remarks were harsh considering Clemson’s struggles, it is also fair to expect more than a 4-4 record from a coach earning a hefty salary.
Experts analyzing Clemson’s decline point to a few key factors: Swinney’s reluctance to seek help outside of the Clemson community, his aversion to the transfer portal, and the program’s inability to produce immediate star talent like Lawrence, Watson, and Travis Etienne. Swinney finds himself in a precarious position, like a poker player with only a few chips left. He must play smart, disciplined, and seize opportunitiey to rebuild Clemson’s winning legacy.
Given the recent spectacle, this weekend’s matchup against Notre Dame carries substantial weight. While the game looked far more enticing when scheduled, both teams now hope to restore their reputations at the expense of the other. Following the game, Clemson will face Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with their bowl bid and self-respect hanging in the balance.
The question remains whether Swinney will lead Clemson to new heights or if they will be forever content with the memories of past glories.
