‘Dabo’s dynasty is done’ at Clemson, Paul Finebaum says

Dwayne Mclemore
·2 min read
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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney walks by celebrating Duke Blue Devils fans who stormed the field after a game at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.

ESPN personality Paul Finebaum made a declaration Tuesday morning in the wake of Clemson football’s stunning road upset to Duke to open the 2023 season.

“Dabo’s dynasty is done. What else can anyone say?” Finebaum said when speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up” morning TV show.

Duke defeated Clemson 28-7 on Monday night in Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. It was a game in which the Tigers made at least four critical mistakes on offense

It was also Clemson’s 59th game under Swinney in which the Tigers had more than 200 rushing yards (213) and 200 passing yards (209), but the first time the Tigers lost when reaching those marks. Clemson is now 58-1 under Swinney — and 108-1 all-time — when breaking 200 yards in both stats.

It was the Clemson program’s third loss in four games dating back to the 2022 season. And it marked three seasons in a row in which Clemson (0-1) lost a game to an unranked opponent.

“It’s really been teetering for a couple of years,” Finebaum said of the Clemson program. “What happened last night is simply unexplainable. ... They didn’t lose to a Florida State or a Notre Dame or an Alabama or a Georgia. They lost to Duke, which has a very good quarterback nice program — ‘nice’ being the operative word.”

Clemson made College Football Playoff appearances and won two national championships from 2015 to 2020, but the program has missed out on the CFP the last two seasons. No team with two losses has made the playoffs.

“They have nowhere the go, and Dabo’s nonsense after the game isn’t going to impress anyone. This program is flat-lining.

“Get Up” host Mike Greenberg asked Finebaum what was nonsense about Swinney’s postgame remarks.

“What was nonsense is ‘Dabo speak,’ “ Finebaum replied. “This is an old trick of his. It used to work. It’s not working anymore. It’s not resonating in that locker room. Those players right now, I think, are just looking him and going, ‘Try a different act, Dabo. We’ve heard this one before.’ ”

The Tigers return home to face Charleston Southern this Saturday at 2:15 p.m. (ACC Network).