David Pollack on Clemson getting ‘embarrassed,’ talks lack of quarterback

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Clemson’s season could hardly have started worse, and former ESPN analyst David Pollack saw problems stretching well beyond one position in the Tigers’ 51-10 loss to LSU.

Pollack, the former Georgia All-American who now hosts the See Ball Get Ball podcast, described Clemson’s opener as an “absolute trainwreck” while breaking down a performance that included only 145 total yards and a 1-for-13 showing on third down.

“Clemson got embarrassed,” Pollack said. “I mean, there’s nothing you can say otherwise.”

Much of the immediate attention has fallen on quarterback Christopher Vizzina and an offense that struggled badly in Chad Morris’ return to Clemson. Pollack acknowledged the quarterback issues, but he made it clear the problems went much deeper.

“Chad Morris is brought back to fix the offense. I don’t think it matters when you don’t have a quarterback,” Pollack said. “And listen, could I blame a lot of this on [Christopher] Vizzina? Sure. But if you can’t run the ball, if you can’t protect your QB, goodness gracious, there’s not a lot that was set up to be successful.”

Pollack was particularly critical of Clemson’s offensive line, pointing to the lack of movement in the running game and even questioning the effort he saw on some snaps.

He didn’t spare the defense, either.

Pollack placed some of the responsibility on defensive coordinator Tom Allen, criticizing Clemson’s eye discipline and repeated breakdowns against LSU’s shifts and motions. He specifically pointed to problems with the safeties understanding their responsibilities in run support.

“Consistent misfits. Consistently not having enough numbers in the right spot, that’s not a good thing,” Pollack said.

The biggest question for Clemson moving forward may still be quarterback.

Pollack pushed back against the idea that Dabo Swinney remains completely opposed to using the transfer portal, noting that Clemson was more active there this offseason. But he believes Swinney’s decision to stick with Vizzina and freshman Tait Reynolds rather than chase an established transfer quarterback could prove costly.

Pollack used Miami quarterback Darian Mensah as an example of the type of addition that could have dramatically changed Clemson’s offense.

“If they have Mensah, it’s totally different,” Pollack said. “The offense is totally different. You’re maximizing those receivers.”

At the same time, Pollack said he respects Swinney for remaining loyal to the quarterbacks already on Clemson’s roster and following through on his promise to give them an opportunity.

“I understand Dabo doing it his way, and you’ve gotta respect the piss out of it, man,” Pollack said. “Like, I respect the piss out of him going, I want to give these guys a shot that I told was going to get a shot.”

That loyalty, however, does not change Pollack’s larger concern.

“But, you can’t win without a quarterback,” he said.

Despite everything that went wrong against LSU, Pollack isn’t ready to bury Clemson’s season. He wants to see an immediate response against Georgia Southern before the Tigers face Miami a couple of weeks later.

“Let’s see the identity grow. Let’s see the offensive line get tougher, get more physical, create some running lanes, the offense pick up a little bit,” Pollack said.

He also dismissed the idea that one disastrous opener means Swinney’s job is suddenly in danger.

“But I don’t think it’s over for Clemson,” Pollack said. “And if you’re thinking Dabo’s getting fired, I think you’re wrong, too.”

For Pollack, Clemson’s path forward comes down to showing improvement in two areas that were badly lacking against LSU.

“They’ve got to be more disciplined, and they’ve got to be tougher,” he said.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: David Pollack on Clemson getting ‘embarrassed,’ talks lack of quarterback

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