Once again we get to see Ohio State take on Clemson in the College Football Playoff. We all know what happened last year, and I am sure the Buckeyes will remember and rehash it all leading up to the game. Both teams had some turnover, but the quarterbacks remain the same.
Before we get into scouting Clemson, the 2020 season has been an up and down roller coaster. The two weeks probably help the Buckeyes more than it does Clemson as the Buckeyes have had some COVID issues as well as questions on defense that need to get cleaned up. Let’s get to breaking down the 2020 Clemson Tigers.
It, of course, all starts under center with what will most likely be a Heisman finalist in Trevor Lawrence.
NEXT…Understanding Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence is really good, but he is human believe it or not
Trevor Lawrence 67-yard DIME to Amari Rodgers 🐅🔥
(via @ClemsonFB)pic.twitter.com/OnQPySMKbU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2020
I think everyone knows what Trevor Lawrence is capable of at quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. He has a good arm and is quite accurate most of the time. While Trevor can certainly launch a ball and beat a team downfield, he sets up a lot of it by shorter passes to force teams to have to respect the quick routes.
However, his game isn’t without flaws. At times Lawrence stays too long on his first read and will sometimes stay locked in, or “stare down” his receiver. Against Notre Dame, his interception came on the linebacker keying on this and knocking the ball up. This has been the one flaw Lawrence has had during his college career, and while he has gotten a little better, it is something to key on.
Throwing to the sideline is also not Lawrence’s strength as at times he will use the wrong leverage on the pass. Many of his throws to the outside come against zone coverage and he’ll struggle in man-to-man situations if his receiver doesn’t win the battle outright.
NEXT…Clemson loves to blitz
Clemson will blitz and blitz often…
Clemson had gone with this double A gap blitz with the LB’s running a pick on the Center prob 4 times at this point? RB knows this, puts eyes on his man outside and doesn’t even move his feet because he knows it’s a tough twist for the RG to pick up after helping the center. pic.twitter.com/7LdFqkRJ8s
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 8, 2020
If you’ve watched Clemson this season at all, one thing you see when it’s on defense is the tendency to bring an extra guy more often than not. A lot of the time it is a linebacker that comes down into one of the gaps, but the Tigers will also bring in a corner. The offensive line has to make sure it keys on blocking assignments and look for the extra man. The offensive line will also use a lot of twists to force the guard to have to slide which causes an opening for the extra blitzer.
Justin Fields and Ryan Day will have to able to audible to hot routes to get behind where the blitz is coming from. There are some tip-offs Clemson will use, and pre-snap motion can get the defense out of position and give up some of those.
NEXT…Stopping the run
Stopping Travis Etienne isn’t easy but can be done
Travis Etienne : 10 carries for 124 yards & a TD; 3 catches for 12 yards (1st 100-yard rushing game since October 10th against Miami) pic.twitter.com/5MDSW9KZsM
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) December 20, 2020
Travis Etienne is a running back who can run and catch out of the backfield. He has the speed to take one to the house but has balance and power to break tackles. He tends to be a one-cut runner, and the use of the RPO is perfect for his style of running. Stopping Etienne was a key for the Notre Dame win earlier this season.
To stop Etienne from making Clemson multi-dimensional relies on staying in gaps and hitting him early. It takes Etienne a second to hit his top gear which is when he becomes dangerous. If Ohio State can stay in its assignments and not let him stretch the defense out, the Buckeyes can contain him.
NEXT…Running against Clemson
Clemson is good against the run, but not perfect
Kyren Williams goes 65 yards to the house to give ND (+6) a quick 7-0 lead over Clemson#BarstoolSportsbook
— Bet The Pigskin (@betthepigskin) November 8, 2020
Watching Clemson games, it’s hard to diagnose how really good it is against the run. Usually, the offense puts up points and gets the team ahead. This forces teams to become one-dimensional and get away from the run earlier than teams probably want to. However, watching some of the bigger plays against Clemson, the defense can be gashed if the running back is decisive and hits the hole.
A lot of the bigger plays came between the guard and tackle, or tackle and tight end. The way Clemson rushes on the edge sometimes takes it outside and forces the linebackers to fill the gaps. However, with such a blitzing scheme, sometimes the linebacker finds himself out of position or gets picked up on a second level block trying to come across the line.
The defense does a good job flowing along the line to keep outside running plays to a minimum, but as aggressive as the defense is, cutbacks are there. Keeping Clemson within arms reach will allow the running game and RPO game to work well throughout the contest.
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