Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Says Team is a Little 'Off' After Syracuse Game

The Clemson Tigers put another number in the win column, but it wasn't pretty against Syracuse on Saturday.

The Tigers never trailed the Orange at JMA Wireless Dome, but they never dominated the game against an opponent that would appear to be inferior on paper. Clemson managed to fend off a late comeback opportunity by Syracuse to earn an 18-13 win.

During his postgame news conference, Swinney gave a blunt assessment about where Clemson is after improving to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in ACC play. Via video from Fox Carolina, he told reporters that the team is "still a little off" but believes the team is making important progress as they turn to the final month of the regular season schedule.

Clemson took an 18-6 lead in the third quarter, but Syracuse made things interesting with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Swinney said it doesn't Matter if the Tigers only win by five points; what matters is that they got one more point than the Orange.

Clemson was outgained by the Orange 380-359 in total yards. The turnover battle was tied at two apiece. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds finished the day going 17 of 28 passing for 161 yards and one interception. He added another 61 yards on the ground.

Wide receiver Brent Wesco Jr. led the Tigers in receiving with six receptions for 100 yards, but he also lost a fumble.

The Tigers are now tied with the Duke Blue Devils and Louisville Cardinals for fourth place in the ACC with a 4-2 conference record. That's not where Clemson wants to be under Swinney, but the team has clinched a bowl game with Saturday's win. Swinney told reporters earlier in the week he was proud of Clemson's streak going back to 1999 of having at least six wins every season.

Clemson should have another easy win coming next week when they host 6-2 Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are having a rebuilding season, and things aren't going well in Atlanta.

Then the Tigers will travel to play 7-2 Duke on Nov. 20. The Blue Devils have shown a lot of fight this year after Darian Mensah transferred to Miami in the offseason. That should be a challenge for Clemson.

The Tigers' final game of the season will come against No. 21 South Carolina, who beat Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Tigers will have to play better than they did on Saturday if they want to win their final two games