Clemson football reaction: Is the Tigers' run of dominance over after Duke upset loss?

Clemson football started the 2023 season with the same kind of expectations it has had since Dabo Swinney's run of 10-win seasons began in 2011.

Contend for a national title, a playoff spot and win an ACC title.

Clemson came into Monday's opener at Duke ranked No. 9 in the country and as the media-voted ACC favorite.

"The reason I came to Clemson was for two things — for the culture and to win a national championship, quarterback Cade Klubnik said during ACC Media Days in July. "And I believe we'll be able to do that while I'm here."

The Tigers have a schedule that is a step up in difficulty inside the ACC, with Florida State and North Carolina at home along with trips to Duke, NC State and Miami. Those five teams make up the programs voted second through six in the preseason media poll.

Add in non-conference games against Notre Dame and South Carolina, and Clemson's path to meeting all those expectations would be difficult but possible.

But the Tigers opened the season with a 28-7 loss to Duke on Monday night in a performance filled with critical mistakes and turnovers. It was the kind of jarring, ugly performance that produces a lingering stink.

It's about expectations for Clemson. In 2021 and 2022, the Tigers lost a combined five games. While that may not sound like a major issue, Clemson's expectations and goals become less and less possible.

INSTANT ANALYSIS: Cade Klubnik, Clemson football offense get off to ugly start in upset loss at Duke

UP NEXT: Clemson football, Dabo Swinney take it on chin at Duke. Now they have to salvage a season

MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE: Every time Clemson football wasted a chance at points in upset loss to Duke

From 2015 to 2020, the Tigers lost seven total games. Clemson won two national titles, six ACC titles, earned six CFP berths in those six seasons.

Clemson almost certainly will have to run the table through the rest of the schedule to make the CFP and play for a national championship. If the Tigers don't, it'll be three seasons without a CFP berth and five seasons without a national title. Those are the expectations, after all.

National media members were quick to plot out Monday's loss as the end of Clemson's run of dominance. Whether or not that's true remains to be seen. One year may be a blip in the radar, but a trend is emerging.

Clemson football since 2011

2011: 10-4 (won ACC Championship, lost Orange Bowl)

2012: 11-2 (did not play in ACC Championship game, won Chick Fil-A Bowl)

2013: 11-2 (did not play in ACC Championship game, won Orange Bowl)

2014: 10-3 (did not play in ACC Championship game, won Russell Athletic Bowl)

2015: 14-1 (won ACC Championship, won Orange Bowl CFP semifinal, lost national championship game)

2016: 14-1 (won ACC Championship, won Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal, won national championship)

2017: 12-2 (won ACC Championship, lost Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal)

2018: 15-0 (won ACC Championship, won Cotton Bowl CFP semifinal, won national championship)

2019: 14-1 (won ACC Championship, won Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal, lost national championship game)

2020: 10-2 (won ACC Championship, lost Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal)

2021: 10-3 (did not play in ACC Championship game, won Cheez-It Bowl)

2022: 11-3 (won ACC Championship, lost Orange Bowl)

2023: 0-1

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clemson football reaction: Duke loss may signal end of ACC dominance