Statistical Matchup vs #2 Clemson

[TheCusian]

Here's the way things breakdown for Friday's game. It's very bleak, as you'd imagine. They are damn good. I may have drinking too much after our win vs a bad Pitt team on Sat. There is a couple of ways to imagine a W, but it's going to be tough.

I'll post a text only version later in the week. It's now easier to make this than to type it all out.

Here's a Hi-Res, Low file sized PDF version, too.

 

[TheCusian]

So in looking at these numbers as I was putting this together, couple of things stand out if we want to see any kind of archilles heel in an otherwise dominant team:

1. Their D is nasty and elite. There is no chink in the armor, really. Only thing that you can point to is Dungey running (he's no Jackson, but they had some trouble with him) and tempo tiring them out on the road. It's not much.

2. Their O is not the same as last season. Watson was amazing and they don't have anyone like him on the roster. They have been leaning heavily on running the ball with their QB (who may be injured) and a pretty good RB corp. They are really efficient, but lack the explosive plays they had last year...

3. Our D is pretty efficient, esp on 3rd down. So, if we limit the big plays and are as stout as we have been, we'll give ourselves a some chances to get the ball back. Throw in a TO or two? Maybe we're 1 or 2 scores away in the 4th.

4. Like I said, I don't see any chinks in the D. But maybe Babers and Dungey can make some magic happen. If they coach like we did vs LSU on O (not scared, some well-thought our special plays at the right times) - and Dungey rolls out some VaTech grit?

5. Babers said the goal vs LSU was to keep it close in the 4th and then out-endurance them. Maybe that works here if we don't get down by too much.

 

[cusefan88]

Heavy dose of Elmore running downhill on them.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Heavy dose of Elmore running downhill on them.

I don't think their D Line will allow much in the "traditional run" department

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Heavy dose of Elmore running downhill on them.

I, uh... we need a better plan than "let's do the thing we're really weak at (running behind a soft run blocking OL) that goes straight into their strong defensive line."

 

[Chris02M]

i think we will do what we did at nc state spread them out as much as possible and throw quick passes

 

[TheCusian]

i think we will do what we did at nc state spread them out as much as possible and throw quick passes

Yep - combined with some of the LSU gameplan

 

[Trueblue25]

There is no way in hell we can run anyone against that line and those linebackers.


We must air it out

 

[djorange1989]

I know we haven't played some of the best of the best in conference yet, but I am so impressed with how much better our D has been this year. Still don't think we have a prayer on Friday, but the improvement on that side of the ball is great at the halfway point.

 

[upperdeck]

we have to have at least a +3 Turnover advantage I would think to stay in this game.

 

[TheCusian]

we have to have at least a +3 Turnover advantage I would think to stay in this game.

Or they need to really struggle on O. Lots of punting.

If it’s a one score game at the half, we should feel good.

 

[orangenauburn]

Game plan, Dungey with 60 passes and 20 runs

 

[Entropic]

What are the stats on cramping?

 

[MadNY3]

Game plan, Dungey with 60 passes and 20 runs

And Culpepper with a "touchdown lateral" on a kickoff!

 

[TheCusian]

What are the stats on cramping?

High with a chance of boos