Thursday Thoughts
Where Are The Advantages?
I think both of these teams are equal in most areas. In fact, they look a lot alike in many areas. They have two great quarterbacks who can beat you with their arms and legs. They have a diverse group of wide receivers. They have very good tight ends. Their offensive lines have question marks. Both defensive lines and linebackers are among the best in the country. These are two of the top five teams in America.
So where does either team have an advantage?
Coaching
I feel Clemson has the best combination of coordinators in the country. Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile is an offensive genius. Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile is one of the nation's top defensive coordinators and has the nation's 10th best scoring defense. Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends
View Full Profile is an excellent special teams coordinator and has two of the nation's best in Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
Gr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile and Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
So. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile.
I am hoping that Jimbo Fisher has a say in this game Saturday night. Fisher has recruited well at FSU but that’s not difficult to do. He has won a lot of games there with a lot of that talent, but I’m not sure that’s impressive either. I cannot think of anyone that feels like Fisher is an exceptional play caller or is someone who prepares his teams well.
Fisher's teams at FSU lose at least one game every year where the Seminoles are favorites. I am hoping this habit shows up again Saturday night. Fisher is just 1-2 in his last games coming off of open dates. What does that say about his preparation?
FSU’s Offense vs. Clemson's Defense
FSU is 17th in the country in rushing with 228 yards per game. Devonta Freeman, James Wilder, Jr. and Karlos Williams are big backs that average over six yards per carry and have combined for 11 touchdowns. But I’m not sure the Seminoles can run the ball successfully against Clemson like they did last year in Tallahassee.
I do believe FSU has an advantage when they face Clemson's secondary. The Tiger safeties have given up the big play and this is a concern.
The Seminoles are 18th in the nation in passing with 320 yards a game. Jameis Winston is one of the nation's top quarterbacks. He is a Heisman trophy candidate and a tremendous leader. He has the ability to make plays with his feet and he throws the deep ball very well. Winston is 90 of 123 for 1,441 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Kenny Shaw has 23 catches for 466 yards for three touchdowns. Rashad Greene has 23 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns. Kelvin Benjamin is one of the toughest matchups on the country. Tight end Nick O'Leary has five touchdown receptions in his 11 catches. This is a great group of receivers and I think FSU can exploit Clemson's secondary if Winston is given time. FSU is third in the country in scoring offense averaging 53 points per game and fourth in the nation in total offense with 549 yards per game.
Clemson's defensive line has been incredible. The Tigers lead the nation in sacks and tackles for a loss. Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile has been a terror. Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile has been dominant on the interior. The Tigers have depth and talent here. I expect Clemson to control the line of scrimmage when FSU has the ball.
Clemson's Offense vs. FSU’s Defense
The Tigers have not been able to run the ball well on a consistent basis far this season. Against Georgia, Clemson had success but consistency has been an issue. I look for Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile to run the ball more Saturday night and put pressure on FSU linebackers.
In the passing department, Boyd is 123 of 185 for 1,783 yards with 15 touchdowns and just two picks. He has a good group of receivers in Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile, Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Jr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile, Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile, Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
View Full Profile and Germone HopperGermone Hopper
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile. Over the last two years, Boyd has had some big plays against the Noles and the double move may show up again Saturday night. However, Clemson's biggest advantage may be the tight end production. The Tigers like to use their tight ends and this could be a match up issue for the Noles Saturday.
FSU has also had trouble getting pressure on the passer. Beasley has nine sacks and the entire FSU team has only 10. The Seminoles will need to find a way to create more pressure in this game or Boyd will light FSU up again.
Home Field
In the end, we have no idea what will happen Saturday night. How will the players react? How will the coaches adjust? Where will the mistakes be made?
Predicting human performance on this huge stage is a hard thing to do. However, the one thing I do know is that the stadium will be electric Saturday night. I think we could see one of the best atmospheres in all of college football Saturday. I know Clemson will feed off of it. What I don't know is how Winston and FSU will respond to it.
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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.
Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Trish Orcutt, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.