This team is fine and I would say overachieving, specifically on defense.
Look at points given up vs the other top 5 everyone is lauding right now, OSU is the only one close in points given up per game.
OSU Most points given up 21 to Fla Atlantic. Avg per game 8 points
Alabama Most given up 31 to ole miss. Avg per game 16.5 per game and gave up 28 to ATM (to our 3 with a garbage td in the last min.
Oklahoma mots given up 31 to houston. Avg per game 19.5 per game.
LSU Most given up 38 twice to vandy and texas. avg per game 19.5
Clemson Most given up 21 to unc. Avg per game 12
The big question being asked is could Clemson beat, OSU, LSU, Bama, Okla today if they played them. Hell yes we would beat them and I don't think any of them would be within 14. Maybe orange colored glasses but no one is talking about how dominant our first and second team d have been.
If you compare this season to the 2016 season, I would say the offense is slightly better this year and the defense is considerably better at this point in the season.