Where Clemson football stands, mid season grade from CBS Sports

Clemson remains in the ACC championship race, but its first-half performance earned little credit in CBS Sports’ midseason report card.

Chip Patterson gave the Tigers a “D,” pointing to the gap between their 4-2 record and the quality of football they have played. Clemson is 2-1 in conference play, though blowout losses to LSU and Miami have overshadowed its victories and raised questions about the team’s ceiling.

“We can’t technically prove it, but this feels like the lowest grade possible for a team that’s still very much alive in the conference title race,” Patterson wrote.

The biggest concern remains an offense that has struggled to generate consistent production through the air. Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina have combined for just two touchdown passes against five interceptions, leaving Clemson with little margin for error when its running game stalls.

Patterson described the Tigers as a bottom-five ACC offense with a defense that has been closer to the middle of the conference.

“That hasn’t been anywhere near the standard of a program looking to win the league for a third time in five years,” he wrote.

Clemson entered the season outside the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time since 2011. Even with those more modest expectations, the Tigers have struggled to build confidence that they can contend with the ACC’s best.

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The remaining schedule offers an opportunity to change that assessment, beginning Saturday against Virginia Tech. The Hokies received a “B-” under first-year coach James Franklin and bring a 5-2 record into Death Valley.

For Clemson, staying in the championship conversation will require turning a manageable conference position into more convincing performances.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Where Clemson football stands, mid season grade from CBS Sports

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