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Clemson Just Made a Huge Mistake it Must Correct vs Florida State
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- Clemson Just Made a Huge Mistake it Must Correct vs Florida State
(USA TODAY Network)
The Clemson Tigers will face the Florida State Seminoles on the road this Saturday and are desperate for a win to quell the firestorm that has been facing Dabo Swinney.
Clemson fans are growing impatient amid the team's 4-3 start, and Swinney's seat is getting warmer and warmer .
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But can the Tigers actually come away with a win here?
You would think so, given that Florida State is actually in a very similar situation to Clemson: a declining program with a head coach ready to be run out of town.
I don't think Swinney's circumstances are quite as dire as Mike Norvell's, but there is no doubt the parallels between the two former ACC superpowers are clear.
In order for the Tigers to get back on track here, they must correct an error they made last week in their loss to Virginia Tech: they must get Chris Johnson Jr. involved .
Johnson had just one carry against the Hokies last Saturday. Yes, it went for minus-2 yards, but in the three games prior, the transfer running back had five-plus carries each time.
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In fact, versus Charleston Southern the previous week, Johnson toted the rock seven times for 34 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
So why exactly was Johnson M.I.A. last weekend?
When Clemson initially acquired Johnson via the transfer portal last winter, the move was widely lauded, and for a reason.
Johnson displayed tremendous burst and explosiveness at SMU in 2025, and he seemed primed for a large role alongside of Gideon Davidson in the Tigers' backfield this fall.
Instead, Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris have relegated Johnson to the background, and last week, they forgot about him entirely.
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How do you only give Johnson the ball one time a week after he punched in two scores? It doesn't make any sense, especially for a Clemson offense struggling to get in the end zone as it is.
Johnson also flashed impressive pass-catching ability at SMU. Yet, this year with the Tigers, he has recorded a grand total of three receptions. And you would think he would be utilized more as a receiver out of the backfield with Tait Reynolds laboring, right?
Clemson absolutely must get Johnson more involved against Florida State this Saturday. Get him some touches. Get him the ball in space. In no way, shape or form should he be getting just one touch again.
We'll see if the Tigers actually make the right choice.
