Clemson Preview

The Aggies have their first huge opportunity to make a statement and shake up the college football world on Saturday afternoon in South Carolina.  Taking on the defending national champions and #1 ranked team in the nation on the road is a tall task, but this is something that Jimbo and the folks in the Bright Complex have been preparing for since last year’s matchup.  Clemson has won 16 games in a row, including the last 11 games by over 20 points (with big wins over Notre Dame in CFP and Alabama in the national championship) so we will have our work cut out for us. 

X-Factors

• Kellen Mond is the biggest x-factor in this game.  He needs to deliver another remarkable performance like he did last year against Clemson (333 passing yards in the second half, 3 TDs and no interceptions).  When he turned it on, the game completely turned and Clemson really had no way to stop him, it was just a little too late.  If he can be smart with the ball, run when he needs to, and make a few big-time throws, then that is step one to pulling off the upset.
• The other position group that needs to play at their best is the secondary.  This will be the toughest test of the season for them (Alabama is in the same elite tier) as Trevor Lawrence has the arm talent to carve them up.  Throw in two receivers that are over 6’4” and it has the makings of a long day for the defensive backfield.  They looked good in the opener, but the talent level ramps up tremendously this week and we will be without one of our top corners again in Debione Renfro (suspended).  There is no stopping the passing game for Clemson, it is just about limiting them.  We need to always have great coverage to where even if the pass is completed, we make the tackle immediately.  Last year, the yards after catch allowed to Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross were what ultimately broke our back as the defenders were in good position, but could not make a play on the ball, or at least make the tackle.    
• Our special teams need to be on their A-game Saturday afternoon.  We cannot afford to hang with Clemson on offense and defense just to lose the game due to a special teams blunder.  If you remember, last year the Aggies missed a 26-yard field goal and had another one blocked.  Make either one of those and the end result would have been different.  We also cannot afford to let them make a return that changes the game by giving that explosive offense an even shorter field.  Look for Braden Mann to flip the field and pin them deep when we need him to.
• The battle of the trenches will be a huge factor in deciding this game.  The defensive line is our strong point, but they will be taking on an offensive line that boasts four pre-season All-ACC selections.  Being able to neutralize the run game will go a long way in helping out the defense overall.  Last year, we held Travis Etienne to 44 yards rushing, but last week, he averaged over 17 yards per carry in a 200+yard, 3 TDs performance.  If we can force them into 3^rd and longs and obvious passing downs, that will allow defensive coordinator Mike Elko to get creative with blitzes and back end coverages.  On the flip side, we need to be able to get a little bit of running room to keep a balanced offense.  Last year, the Aggies were only able to manage 2.2 yards per carry with a grand total of 71 yards for the game.  That number will need to be north of 120 yards to help set up the play action passing game and to keep the defense honest.  Jashaun Corbin will face his first true test and will have to earn every yard.  It will be interesting to see if Isaiah Spiller is the #2 running back again and what production he might be able to provide. Most importantly, the offensive line needs to provide Kellen Mond time to make his reads and having a clean pocket to make good throws.

Keys to the Game

• The Aggies need to win the turnover battle by at least +2.  That’s a great way to change momentum and frustrate Trevor Lawrence and take the ball right out of the offense’s hands.  This means that the defense needs to be opportunistic by being in the right place in the right time.  Also, the offense cannot afford to give the Tigers more drives on offense than they will already have, so Kellen Mond and company will need to be very careful with the pigskin Saturday afternoon.
• Redzone offense and defense will go a long way in deciding this game.  Whichever team can turn their trips into the redzone into seven points instead of settling for field goals will be crucial.  If you remember, the Clemson defense gave up over 500 yards to Alabama in the national championship game but buckled down when it matters most and held them to 16 points. 
• Jimbo Fisher will need to do an excellent job of play calling again as winning the time of possession battle will be imperative.  There is no secret that we will be outmatched when the Clemson offense takes the field with Trevor Lawrence and those stud receivers, so best to limit the time that they have control of the ball.  This also goes hand in hand with getting the running game going as it will help dominate the flow of the game.
• Lastly, when taking on the #1 ranked team on the road, who also happens to be the defending national champions, having the correct mindset is crucial.  Too many times, the top ranked team in the nation has a leg up before the game even starts because the other team feels like they are just outmatched across the board.  With Jimbo Fisher coming in last season, any feelings of inferiority completely went out the window.  You know the head man believes he will have the better team in Death Valley on Saturday afternoon, and the players will resonate that same feeling.  The mindset for the football team and coaching staff is confident, now it is time to go prove it on the field and make the plays to pull off the first major upset of the 2019 season. 

The Aggies will be the toughest team that Clemson faces all year until they reach the playoffs.  Defensive coordinator Brent Venables even admitted that Kellen Mond will be the best quarterback they face all year.  Most of our position groups will have to put forth their best effort to be able to be competitive in this game.  Jimbo is notorious for keeping games close late by managing time of possession and the control of the game.  If that happens, then this will be a close game going into the fourth quarter and then it just comes down to who’s playmakers step up and make the game-changing plays late that will win the game.  I am very much looking forward to this game as I will be traveling out to South Carolina this weekend with my wife, sister-in-law, and brother to see this game and this electric atmosphere in person.