Clemson still has a path to salvage its season, but the Tigers have given one national analyst little reason to believe a return to prominence is coming.

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde included Clemson among college football’s nine biggest midseason disappointments, pointing to an ineffective passing attack and two decisive losses against its toughest opponents.

The Tigers enter Saturday’s matchup with Charleston Southern at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. Their defeats against LSU and Miami came by a combined 69 points, leaving a sizable gap between Dabo Swinney’s team and the best competition it has faced.

Even with more modest preseason expectations following last year’s 7-6 finish, Clemson has struggled to demonstrate meaningful progress. The Tigers opened outside the AP Top 25 and at No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.

Forde highlighted the offense as a particular concern. Clemson has thrown just two touchdown passes, tied for the fewest nationally, while its 1.3% touchdown rate on pass attempts ranks last.

Saturday’s game provides an opportunity to build some confidence following the open date. Whether that translates into better production against ACC opponents will be the more consequential test.

Forde acknowledged that Clemson’s conference championship hopes remain alive, with no ranked opponents left on its schedule and an unsettled ACC race behind Miami. His assessment of the program’s current standing, however, was blunt.

“But there is no confusing this Clemson team with vintage Clemson teams,” Forde wrote. “It’s not there.”

Clemson hosts Charleston Southern at noon Saturday on ACC Network before welcoming Virginia Tech on Oct. 24, when the Tigers resume a conference schedule that still offers a chance to change the direction of their season.