Make no mistake, the future is bright for Clemson football under Dabo Swinney.

But there will be some stormy days to get through before that future becomes a reality. That storm, of course, is derived from Clemson’s still dreadful offense that lacked consistency, toughness and focus in a collapse against Nebraska in Thursday’s Gator Bowl.

In Clemson’s loss, the Tigers managed a downright pathetic four yards of net rushing, and only 210 yards of total offense. The Tigers’ two offensive touchdowns, while impressive, were set up by Clemson’s defense, which forced the foe into turnovers.

As bright as the future looks for Clemson’s defense, the offense looks to be a potentially huge obstacle when it comes to competing for conference titles. While Brandon Maye, Brandon Thompson and Da’Quan Bowers all look to be future stars for the orange and white, Clemson’s offense will be riddled with question marks next season.

Clemson will most likely lose its top two rushers, its top receiver and its starting quarterback, although he wasn’t exactly the picture of consistency during his senior season. That alone is tough enough. Then there’s the offensive line.

The good news is Clemson returns its entire offensive line. The bad news is Clemson returns its entire offensive line. To be brutally honest, there have been performances turned in by this unit that can only be described as shameful.

My point isn’t to bash the Tigers, who left it all out on the field Thursday. My point is that after watching Clemson’s offensively bad offense get shut down by an average Nebraska defense, it’s safe to say that Clemson football could get worse before it gets better.

Inconsistent quarterback play and a soft offensive line that has not proven it can be physically imposing week in and week out has spelled disaster for the Tigers this season. Next year, Swinney encounters questions at quarterback, the same liability up front and the tall task of identifying skill players to replace the outgoing offensive leaders.

Unless the offense picks it up next year, the burden will fall squarely on the back of the defense once again – and yet again, the Tigers’ dream of sniffing a conference championship will remain just that.

A dream.