Is this the end for Dabo Swinney's Clemson?

Notre Dame's home win over the Tigers was an indictment on the state of Clemson football.

In my Monday wrap-up column I mentioned the notion of “November football,” which I described as being very different from the passing-heavy “championship football” I often write about.

Here’s the elevator pitch for the distinction.

Winning in the regular season and dominating within a conference often comes down to line play. Space force (having elite athletes to win 1-on-1 matchups at tackle, cornerback, receiver, and Edge) is invaluable and a dominant factor in every game, but good programs tend to consistently grind out wins by controlling games in the trenches. Even if you are winning every week with passing due to a high level system and execution, you still need an offensive line who can reliably pass protect every week and a defensive front who isn’t getting gashed.

Once you reach the higher levels of postseason play, you can’t stand out with line play as easily. The other Championship-caliber teams also have strong team culture and discipline and lots of big, physical brutes who know their business in the trenches. At that point, Space Force is non-negotiable. You either win those high leverage matchups in space or you go down.

For years under Dabo Swinney, the Clemson Tigers had this formula down cold. Every season they’d rip through the ACC, typically with a potent run game and terrific run defense, then they’d stand out in the “Championship rounds” with their NFL receivers and space force components.

But last Saturday they went into South Bend and got out-rushed 263-90 while D.J. Uiagalelei failed to bail them out with the passing game, going just 27-39 for 191 yards at 4.1 yea with a touchdown and an interception.

It’s remarkable the score was only 35-14.

I thought it’d be interesting to catalog the issues Notre Dame highlighted in this game, which don’t portend a strong future for Dabo’s Tigers.