Win Or Lose Vs Clemson...

[Pat Kelly]

I really like the direction in which this program is going. It was started by Marrone and Shafer seems to be riding the same plane--they're building an attitude where winning is EXPECTED, not just hoped, something we weren't even close to in the Robinson era.

We've got a young, exciting quarterback, a young team overall, and after losing a lot offensive pieces from possibly our best team in the last ten years, we've still put up 50 in two straight games (whether you believe it or not, that's still a very big deal). Shafer's an energetic coach--perfect for college--and in the tunnel after the game, a student yelled to him about the Clemson game, and he turned around halfway down the tunnel and said, "You all better be ready for Clemson." This guys excited, the team is excited, we're ignoring old grumps and moving our program into the 21st century (new jerseys/helmets are great thing, whether you think they are good-looking or not).

But let me remind you, two win Boston College put up 31 points on Clemson last year. Offense won't be the issue--it'll be stopping Clemson, which makes this bye week perfect.

I honestly think we have a good shot. Go Orange!!!!

 

[HtownOrange]

Our defense has to play Shafer Defense. Our offense has to score and give the D a break. Tahj Boyd and Co. are for real, they can score and will score. We have to force them into bad situations and trust our DBs to shut down the receivers long enough for our front seven to beat Boyd into the ground or make bad decisions. The problem is that Boyd is slippery and can run. Defensively, we cannot beat Clemson if we tackle like we did in the first half of Tulane. If we play traditional Shafer defense, we can slow the offense down enough to win. NCState is the model on how to defend Clemson this season.

Their defense is not as much improved as they had hoped for or as is necessary for a top 5 team. We need to keep progressing with McDonald's play calling and Hunt getting everyone and their brother involved. Any defense can key in on a couple of good players but having 15 weapons on the field and rotating them in and out is hard to stop.

 

[baggerbob]

This Clemson game is the one guys like Bromley, and Raymond have waited their entire lives for, expect Boyd to be running for his life, all game long. The key is the linebackers, and defensive backs need to make tackles, and get a couple turnovers. The QB for NC St is slow, but was able to keep plays alive against Clemson, and their really isn't a lot of tape on Hunt, for Clemson to game plan.

 

[rosconey]

saw a couple plays that our oline just walloped guys and loved it- as this team attitude grows so will the win total-

 

[baggerbob]

A lot of young players are playing in the trenches, and that bodes well for the rest of the season, and beyond.

 

[HtownOrange]

This Clemson game is the one guys like Bromley, and Raymond have waited their entire lives for, expect Boyd to be running for his life, all game long. The key is the linebackers, and defensive backs need to make tackles, and get a couple turnovers. The QB for NC St is slow, but was able to keep plays alive against Clemson, and their really isn't a lot of tape on Hunt, for Clemson to game plan.

I didn't watch much of the Clemson/NCState game. I was not impressed with what little I saw of Clemson's D. Thanks for your analysis.

 

[Shenexon]

Clemson will have bigger, faster, & better athletes, but I hope we can play them tough. Playing at home should help if the fans stay with the game. Loud would be nice. The team is showing some promise offensively, which bodes well for our ability to play with Clemson. There are plenty of posters expressing confidence & hopelessness, so I just hope we're competitive and gut out a win.