Brent Venables
FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) fends off Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
With Lawrence back Clemson-Notre Dame meet for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson full strength heading into ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 14, 2020 03:30 PM EST

Pittsburgh linebacker Phil Campbell III (24) tackles Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) on a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 4 Clemson looks for clincher at struggling Virginia Tech

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 03, 2020 07:07 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)c
Healthy, deeper No. 4 Clemson ready for championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2020 05:13 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney yells during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson's Swinney still frustrated with FSU postponement

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 24, 2020 04:05 PM EST

Clemson sideline personnel hold play signal cards during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson's Brent Venables says defense is good, not great

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 19, 2020 10:54 AM EST

Michigan State place kicker Cole Hahn watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 49-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten powers down, out of poll

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 09, 2020 01:47 AM EST

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, center right, talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Problem for No. 1 Clemson is defensive breakdowns, not QB

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 03, 2020 02:13 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney fist bumps defensive tackle Jordan Williams (59) after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 1 Clemson dealing with rash of injuries on defense vs BC

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 29, 2020 11:35 AM EDT

Clemson linebacker James Skalski sidelined with groin injury

Oct. 27, 2020 12:05 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Coach Dabo Swinney said one of Clemson's leading defensive players, linebacker James Skalski, will miss several games with a groin injury....

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney walks near the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Syracuse at Clemson 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 03:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by the Clemson defense during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The crunching hits, game-changing interceptions and dominating defense is the same for No. 1 Clemson. It's just the names that change from year to year. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
No. 1 Clemson has new faces on defense and still dominating

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 20, 2020 03:50 PM EDT

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) dances after breaking a Mississippi tackle and scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Orgeron star-turn could be short-lived

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 10, 2020 10:18 PM EDT

Clemson co-offensive ordinator Tony Elliott speaks during media day for NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in New Orleans. Clemson is scheduled to play LSU on Monday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip).
Clemson's Elliott to make $1.6 million as Tigers coordinator

By Pete Iacobelli Feb. 06, 2020 10:59 AM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, meets LSU quarterback Joe Burrow on the field after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson D, Lawrence falter as LSU rolls to championship

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, left, and quarterback Joe Burrow, center, hold the trophy beside safety Grant Delpit after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Burrow, LSU cap magical season, beat Clemson 42-25 for title

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 12:27 AM EST

Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) celebrates after his interception against Ohio State during the final minute of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chip off old block: Nolan Turner follows in dad's footsteps

By Paul Newberry Jan. 11, 2020 06:37 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney plays the cymbal on the drum of a member of the 3rd Line Brass Band as he arrives with the team for the NCAA College Football Playoff title game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. Clemson is scheduled to play LSU on Monday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Analysis: Clemson will win with talent to slow LSU, Burrow

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 11, 2020 02:21 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
No. 1 LSU faces No. 3 Clemson for CFP national championship

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2020 01:44 PM EST