Notes compiled while watching Florida State run roughshod over Clemson for the last quarter and a half Saturday night.
- At several points Clemson defensive players looked like rag dolls thrown around the field.
- I suggested prior to last year that Clemson fans needed to get ready for a paradigm shift on defense. Even I had no idea what was about to happen.
- The defense gave up 667 yards and 8.9 yards per play to Florida State.
- Chad Morris had a great game plan for about 2 and a half quarters, but it looked like Florida State took over physically at that point.
- To say the Seminole receivers were wide open the entire night is an understatement.
- Clemson missed a huge opportunity – the Seminoles had penalties, turnovers, missed field goals, Clemson got a generous spot on a 4th down and Florida State still won.
- Next Saturday is going to be a challenge for the Tigers mentally.
I can’t prove this but it feels like Dabo gets that his teams have got to be better up front on defense. His recruiting and honesty about this seem to point in that direction. This defense is very young, very weak and learning. LSU, FSU, AL, South Carolina and KState took their opponents out yesterday with stellar defense. They all dictated the game from that side. I cannot remember the last time a Clemson team did that for an extended period. I think next year and the year after we are much better because we can dictate from that side.
In the mean time we have to rely on our offense which will be hard.
I was surprised that we were unable to throw the ball ‘down’ the field so little.
If this team find a way to end up 10=2 and can beat USC, which I don’t see today, then this is a very successful season.
The ACC really needs FSU to go undefeated and play for the mnc, big time.
We learn a whole lot about this team next week in Boston. A lot.
Agree on all points. We are undersized and thin on the d-line. I was surprised they moved Shatley (not that he was a stellar d-lineman).
One thing I noticed early on…Morris realized he was going to need trick plays to keep Clemson in the game…the running game wasn’t there (at least not consistently). Once Clemson became semi-one-dimensional it was headed in the wrong direction. I even told my wife at the half that Clemson’s lead was “shakey”. Never felt confident. Clemson will outscore most teams on the schedule, but there are a few that concern me.
Going to be a tough week. Lets hope the guys come to play on Saturday.