Expectations about the same for Clemson as for Louisville

[Crusty]

Just before the Louisville game I posted a thread asking what we could reasonably expect from Lester/Long.
Almost everyone though my expectations were crazy. I will admit I pulled some of these straight out of my butt and they were more enthusiasm than brains, but since Louisville has a demonstrably better defense than Clemson, I thought it was worth another look.

Bear in mind these relative rankings.
ACC Rank
Total Defense: Louisville is 1st - Clemson is 5th (SU is 9th)
Rushing Defense: Louisville is 1st - Clemson is 4th (SU is 7th)
Passing Defense: Louisville is 3rd - Clemson is 4th (SU is 12th)

Here is the October 9th post and the results.

Take away the interceptions and this was a pretty darn good performance under the circumstances.

If Lester can cure the RZ issues so that we are just middle of the pack, and AJ takes care of the football, we can beat a lot of teams, including Clemson.

 

[Deano]

Think another positive is better person calling plays now and also better QB since L-ville game.

 

[Crusty]

Think another positive is better person calling plays now and also better QB since L-ville game.

Absolutely.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I'm more optimistic vs Clemson because the QB isn't mobile.

 

[anomander]

And we are a better road team.

 

[TigerBry]

I certainly appreciate your passion for SU but the Clemson D is probably way better than the numbers suggest. We're decimated by injuries on offense but the D has stepped up for us lately. We'll have a healthy Tyshon Dye at RB this week and we are all stoked to see him out there.

See you in Death Valley...

 

[TheCusian]

I certainly appreciate your passion for SU but the Clemson D is probably way better than the numbers suggest. We're decimated by injuries on offense but the D has stepped up for us lately. We'll have a healthy Tyshon Dye at RB this week and we are all stoked to see him out there. See you in Death Valley...

You guys are very good - but you're no Louisville. ND was pretty good on D too.

Appreciate your passion - but we'll move the ball. Scoring in the red zone?! Who knows.

 

[TigerBry]

You guys are very good - but you're no Louisville. ND was pretty good on D too.

Appreciate your passion - but we'll move the ball. Scoring in the red zone?! Who knows.

You realize we beat UofL with a backup QB, two backup Linemen, and without two RB's, and a backup WR?

You are correct. We're no Louisville. We're better, IMO.

 

[TheCusian]

You realize we beat UofL with a backup QB, two backup Linemen, and without two RB's, and a backup WR? You are correct. We're no Louisville. We're better, IMO.

You won the game. Good job.

The defensive stats tell a different story. They are better statistically.

 

[wfschrec]

You won the game. Good job.

The defensive stats tell a different story. They are better statistically.

Do the statistics account for the fact that Clemson has played GA and FSU who are both better than anyone LVille has come across? Nope ... I don't believe a ton in rankings just because schedules are so different ... LVille hasn't seen FSU yet and will not play anyone even close to GA's caliber in their OOC slate.

 

[TheCusian]

Do the statistics account for the fact that Clemson has played GA and FSU who are both better than anyone LVille has come across? Nope ... I don't believe a ton in rankings just because schedules are so different ... LVille hasn't seen FSU yet and will not play anyone even close to GA's caliber in their OOC slate.

Some stats do account for SOS. It hardly matters - both teams have really good defenses. In the games I've watched - both look good, but I'd take Louisville. They are better in the secondary by a mile.

We were able to move the ball on ND, FSU, and Louisville some. We just stalled in the red zone.

 

[Crusty]

You realize we beat UofL with a backup QB, two backup Linemen, and without two RB's, and a backup WR?

You are correct. We're no Louisville. We're better, IMO.

I the the fact of the matter is that you really don't know what you have yet.

 

[shandeezy7]

Some stats do account for SOS. It hardly matters - both teams have really good defenses. In the games I've watched - both look good, but I'd take Louisville. They are better in the secondary by a mile.

We were able to move the ball on ND, FSU, and Louisville some. We just stalled in the red zone.

But Clemson has the better D-Line...and good line play can help mask poor secondary play more than good secondary play can mask poor line play, in my opinion

 

[Crusty]

But Clemson has the better D-Line...and good line play can help mask poor secondary play more than good secondary play can mask poor line play, in my opinion

hmmm have to think about that a bit.

 

[Fjoinkay]

T-Hunt was injured during the Louisville game, and Lester was promoted after the Louisville game. SU competed with Louisville, and I expect SU to compete with Clemson. It will take a full 60 from the Cuse with focus and a one play at a time mentality. Anything can happen, and SU is certainly capable of pulling off the upset against a very talented Tigers team. Go Cuse!

 

[TheCusian]

But Clemson has the better D-Line...and good line play can help mask poor secondary play more than good secondary play can mask poor line play, in my opinion

True - but the difference between Ville's D line and Clemson's D line isn't as great as the Difference between secondaries.

 

[CUTater]

This is my favorite power ranking set. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus

They have Louisville the #2 defense, Clemson the #5 defense. It's opponent-adjusted.

I think it's splitting hairs to differentiate between the #2 and #5 defense, personally. I'd take ours because I believe DL is the most important part of a defense.

True - but the difference between Ville's D line and Clemson's D line isn't as great as the Difference between secondaries.

Interesting take. Do you think our secondary is weak? I'd call it a weakness but only in the sense that it's not as good as the DL or LB corps. We have very good corners.

 

[Chip]

We played Louisville in front of 14 Louisville fans, and about 25,000 SU fans.

We'll be playing Clemson in front of 80,000 Clemson fans, and about 14 SU fans. In a raucous night atmosphere. That's where I ignore some of the stats.

Of course, we'll be using a different QB who is sort of a wild card. I really don't know what to expect from him in this particular game. I just know my expectations are low, and I don't intend to hold it against him, based on what he's walking into this early in his playing career, run on sentence, run on sentence, run on sentence.

 

[OrangePA]

This Will Be A Real Test For Long.

Can't Wait To See How He Does.