--- title: "Clemson defense collapses in loss to SMU: Ongoing flaws upend promise in Christopher Vizzina's debut" description: Clemson's 35-24 loss to SMU saw more defensive troubles as Tom Allen and his players still can't get on the same page to stop opposing offenses. --- [Skip to content](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-defense-collapses-loss-to-smu#main-content) [![Death Valley Intro Outline 2](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png?width=600&height=209&name=Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/) - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) # What time is Clemson kickoff?  **• Clemson at Florida St., Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m., ACCN • Clemson at Syracuse, Saturday, Nov. 7, TBD** October 19, 2025 | 6:27 PM # Clemson defense collapses in loss to SMU: Ongoing flaws upend promise in Christopher Vizzina's debut [Staff Report](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/author/staff-report) Share: [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-defense-collapses-loss-to-smu) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-defense-collapses-loss-to-smu) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-defense-collapses-loss-to-smu) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-defense-collapses-loss-to-smu) All right, college sports fans -- Despite solid stats from QB Christopher Vizzina in his first start, Clemson lost 35-24 to SMU and is in the bottom half of the ACC standings. Dabo Swinney has a lot to take stock of, and we start our analysis from afar with a look at the troubles that have plagued Tom Allen's defense all season long. We also look at longer trends of recent season to try to figure out what's going wrong, and what seems evident to us is that there's a big disconnect between the coaches and players. In this episode, we start to dive into where Clemson might try to make progress as it enters the second bye week of the 2025 season. We're glad you found us -- y'all be sure to watch on [YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff](http://youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff! [Reign Supreme Alway podcast](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) ## More Clemson Tigers Analysis [![Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris and quarterback Christopher Vizzina beneath headlines that say Deep-Dive Edition, Spring-to-Fall-2026 Part 2, Can Morris, Vizzina Revive the Clemson Offense?](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spring-Fall-Ep2-TWO-THUMB%20(1).png?height=200&name=Spring-Fall-Ep2-TWO-THUMB%20(1).png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-offense-turns-to-chad-morris-christopher-vizzina) ## [Can Christopher Vizzina Become the STAR that Clemson and Chad Morris Need? | Part 2 w/ Blau, Fowler](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-offense-turns-to-chad-morris-christopher-vizzina) May 13, 2026 | 5:13 PM Clemson football has some big offseason storylines, none larger than the revamped 2026 offense... 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[Read more](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-unravels-loss-virginia-tech-dabo-swinney-tigers-coaching-flaws-exposed) [![2-panel photo: on left, Brian Dawkins shown under headline "Best Tigers Safeties: Game Changers" and on right, current Clemson safety Khalil Barnes is shown above headline "Plus: 2025 Tigers Safeties Preview"](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/best-ever-clemson-safeties-THUMB-tigers-2025-season-preview.png?height=200&name=best-ever-clemson-safeties-THUMB-tigers-2025-season-preview.png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-safeties-brian-dawkins-set-standard-chased-by-others-including-khalil-barnes-in-2025) ## [Best-ever Clemson safeties: Brian Dawkins set standard chased by others including Khalil Barnes in 2025](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-safeties-brian-dawkins-set-standard-chased-by-others-including-khalil-barnes-in-2025) August 4, 2025 | 7:21 PM When we talk about safeties at Clemson, two names jump out among a talented group of players: Terry... 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