The fallout from Week 1 continues and Dabo Swinney remains in the crosshairs. That's what happens when a program that had been among the best in college football for over a decade gets smothered on national television.
We thought Clemson was doomed on opening week two years ago when the Tigers got crushed by Georgia, but they eventually recovered to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff as a 12-seed. It was, however, a message to Swinney that he had to evolve in everything he knew about college football. He pushed back because he envisions himself as a nuts and bolts old-school guy that was doing this the right way and didn't need to change.
Mario Cristobal is also a nuts and bolts old-school guy. He is about work and being physical and making things tough. That's where he and Dabo Swinney are alike. But the difference is that Cristobal isn't afraid to evolve while still holding firm to his standards.
Dabo Swinney was asked today if he regrets how he built Clemson's roster.
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 8, 2026
"We've played one game. One game. Did you play football? Okay, well they give you 12 games and at the end of the year you count them up. That's when those types of questions are fair to me." pic.twitter.com/0mxwnwyCne
Mario Cristobal has evolved past yesterday's mentality for today's game
Cristobal and football GM Dennis Smith understand that the game has changed. NIL isn't going anywhere, no matter how many coaches complain to their Congressmen. The transfer portal isn't going anywhere, no matter how many coaches complain to the media. And they are all crucial aspects of building a competitive roster.
I'm sure if Cristobal had the power to make some changes that made the NIL and the portal a little more coach-friendly and a little less player-friendly, he would consider it. But he's working within the parameters that have been given and when he can utilize those rules in his favor, he does (i.e. the Darian Mensah transfer).
But once the team is in the building, Cristobal's process doesn't change. He demands everything out of his players from the top to the bottom of the roster and, in turn, they demand more out of themselves. Cristobal expects a top talent like Malachi Toney to work hard not because he's paid well, but because Toney has equally high expectations out of himself. The players are getting the funds they have earned and deserve, but it's still Cristobal’s team and that shows in the way Miami carries itself as a program on and off the field.
Meanwhile, it feels like Swinney has just given up. The recruiting that Clemson was always known for, especially at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line and secondary, is no longer evident. I saw no explosive players on either side of the ball. Yes, Swinney is correct, it's just Game 1, but there's no excuse to get demolished like that by any other program, whether it's LSU or anyone else. Game 1s can get you fired. Ask Manny Diaz.
When Miami went to the Swamp and whipped Florida in the 2024 season opener, it was the signal of a new time. Mario Cristobal was in his third year and that day made it clear that the Hurricanes were ready to return to the top level of college football. Two years later, Miami is a legitimate threat to win the national championship and now the expectations are as high as the standards he has set.
Two years ago, Clemson rallied to the win the ACC title and the Tigers were expected to be the team Miami would have to topple to reach that pinnacle. However, it looks like the game has passed Swinney by and so has Cristobal and the Hurricanes.
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