Regression can strike quickly. After a miserable 2021 campaign, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was one of the best rebound stories of 2022. He threw for 371 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers' 51-45 track-meet win over Wake Forest in Week 4, and heading into Saturday's home game against unbeaten Syracuse, he had completed 64% of his passes with a beautiful 17-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio and a Total QBR ranking of 30th -- not exactly Heisman-worthy but far better than last fall's No. 97 ranking.
Apparently that was too much improvement in too little time. Uiagalalei suffered a disastrous performance against the Orange, completing 13 of 21 passes for just 138 yards with two interceptions and a sack; he also lost a fumble that Ja'Had Carter returned 90 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.