Thursday Thoughts

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Thu Nov 19 07:47:10 GMT-04:00 2015

Thursday Thoughts

Elliott and Scott

It seems like decades ago since some fans complained about the play calling and inexperience of Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott, Clemson's co-offensive coordinators. Since we heard that after the Louisville game, Clemson has had six straight games of at least 500 yards of total offense. The offense has averaged 145 yards more per game than their opponents average allowing. Boston College allows 236 yards per game but gave up 532 to Clemson. NC State gives up 314 per game but allowed Clemson to gain 623 yards. FSU allows 339 yards per contest, but Clemson gained 512.

Wake Forest

I don't want to sound like Lou Holtz or Vince Dooley here because Clemson is a 30-point favorite for a reason. The Deacs are 3-7 entering Saturday's game, but this past weekend raised my eyebrows. Like most fans, I saw the 28-7 score in the Wake Forest-Notre Dame game. What I didn't notice until Sunday were the strange numbers from this game. Wake Forest held Notre Dame to just 282 yards, and that includes a 98-yard touchdown run. Wake out gained the Irish 340-282. Wake had 23 first downs to Notre Dame's 15. Wake held Notre Dame to just 111 yards passing. The Deacs had the ball 35:48 seconds compared to Notre Dame, who had the ball 24:12. Strange numbers from a strange game.

Focus

Brent Venables and Dabo Swinney spent some time with the media Tuesday talking about this team's focus. I think it was pretty clear that Clemson's defense lost some focus in the NC State game. Focus was once again an issue this past weekend.

My take is that I am not surprised the Tigers might have lost some focus. I am more surprised that this isn't discussed more.

It is obvious to me that Clemson's defense doesn't have a monopoly on losing focus. It looked to me that Alabama lost focus a couple of times this season. Ohio State has been on cruise control throughout some of this season. Same for Notre Dame. Pick a team, any team. It happens.

As fans, we can't act like we are surprised that 18-22-year-old kids who have grown up with ADD being a concern can lose focus.

Raise your hand if you are focused in your job every day. For those that argue its only 12 regular season games a year, raise your hands if you get to your seats early for every game and yell just as loud in the Wofford game as you do for the games against Notre Dame and Florida State.

The point is that humans lose focus, and it happens in all aspects of life. We shouldn't be surprised it happened to Clemson's defense lost focus. Instead, we should be thankful that a less-than-your-best effort still led to a 10-point win on the road.

Military Appreciation Day

Yesterday we documented the fantastic accomplishments of the senior class and how special senior day will be Saturday. This game will be another great day because of Military Appreciation Day and the wonderful effort Clemson puts into the event. No one honors our military like Clemson, and this is one of my favorite days of the year. Don't forget this is a purple-out game.

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