CBS Sports forecasts a potential end to Dabo Swinney's legendary tenure at Clemson amidst program shifts and a challenging win total forecast.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will always be remembered for winning two national championships.
However, it's unclear how much time he can buy as the program has not been the same since the start of the transfer portal madness and NIL.
Swinney made considerable changes after going 7-6 last season. The Tigers brought back offensive coordinator Chad Morris, who has not called plays since 2020. More help was added in the transfer portal.
Questions surrounded Swinney about his future with the program during the 2025 campaign. It's fair to wonder if more questions will be asked if Clemson doesn't turn things around this season.
Cody Nagel of CBS Sports predicted that Clemson could coach and burn, culminating in the end of the Swinney era with the Tigers.
"The Tigers come into the year with a win total of 7.5 on FanDuel and sit in the ACC's second tier of contenders, not quite in the mix with the league's top group," Nagel wrote. "That alone would've been hard to imagine not long ago.
"There's still enough talent to keep them competitive, but the consistency just hasn't been the same. This season could feel less like a bounce-back and more like the final chapter of the Dabo Swinney era at Clemson."
Despite a trying season in 2025, Swinney argued that he'd get the program back to the national championship.
"I know something good will come from it," Swinney said of the 2025 season, via ESPN. "I promise you, though, I've never worked harder. And I'm going to continue to do everything I can, and we'll be back.
"We'll win more championships. We'll win more championships. All right? I promise you that. May not happen this year, but we're going to win more championships. That's all I can say. And I think we have a track record that demonstrates that."
How much patience Clemson will have if the Tigers finish outside the top 25 this season remains to be seen. Given questions about their quarterback roster, there seems to be a good possibility things will not end well for Swinney in 2026.