Replies: 9
| visibility 1
|
CU Medallion [65528]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 33280
Joined: 12/3/03
|
Since we are in Dark Territory, it is time to revisit a
Jun 22, 2022, 9:33 AM
|
|
topic that pops up from time to time. "What If?"
The way you play this game is, just say "What if this guy, or that guy, was still around, what difference would he have made in the season? That is the only parameter, it has to be something that was really possible. You can't put Trevor Lawrence in command of the 2012 Clemson offense, for example.
Mine is super easy. I always refer to 2017 is "The Kelly Bryant Year". But, what if Deshaun Watson had stayed for his Senior campaign, like the Power Rangers did just a year later?
Looking back at that 2017 roster, we were STACKED at most positions. Even at QB, we had a lot of future talent. But, none of them were ready, in Dabo's estimation, to take the reigns away from Kelly Bryant, who had "waited his turn" as Bryant would famously later say.
But, what if? Deshaun Watson would have no doubt gotten us to the Playoffs again. We got there without him. But with him, he would been facing Alabama for a 3rd straight year. I think it is safe to say he had solved their defense.
In the real game, Bama shut down the Clemson offense, which had turned into a pretty much one dimensional running attack under Bryant. Even with the offense stymied, the defense only allowed 24 points to Bama. Most of those came late in the game, with the defense just worn out by having to spend so much time on the field due to the lack of offense. With Watson at the controls of a varied offense, I think Clemson wins that game handily. And, sorry Georgia fans, I think that offense also runs roughshod over some Georgia Bulldogs in the title game.
So, in this exercise, Clemson would have won their third CONSECUTIVE Natty in the 2018 season. God only knows what the recruiting benefits of a streak like that would have been. But, sadly, it will always just be a "What if?"
|
|
|
|
Oculus Spirit [83130]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80161
Joined: 11/29/99
|
What if Joe Burrow had won the Ohio State
Jun 22, 2022, 9:57 AM
|
|
job and not transferred to LSU? Would we have won it all in 2019? Or, would Ohio State havr held us off in 2019 with Burrow instead of Fields?
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [46506]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4503
Joined: 9/24/06
|
Re: Since we are in Dark Territory, it is time to revisit a
Jun 22, 2022, 10:00 AM
|
|
We wouldn't have lost to Syracuse that year.
Against Alabama Bryant threw 2 interceptions with one being a pick 6. The defense kept us in the game.
I believe we would have been back to back national champs with Watson back for his senior year.
With that said the whole dynamic of the 2018 team could have changed if the "Power Rangers" decided to go pro....
|
|
|
|
|
Hall of Famer [22740]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 11552
Joined: 10/12/14
|
Re: Since we are in Dark Territory, it is time to revisit a
Jun 22, 2022, 10:02 AM
|
|
What if TL16 had stayed for his senior year last year?
I don’t think I like this game….
|
|
|
|
|
Oculus Spirit [90820]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 45503
Joined: 10/18/09
|
Yep 76er, I Light This Game..
Jun 22, 2022, 10:15 AM
|
|
and "What If" JOE21 & I were 21 again?!
Well, you young turks would be hard-pressed to keep uP with us! LOL~
GO TiGERS and No What If's in 2022!
|
|
|
|
|
Rock Defender [73]
TigerPulse: 99%
Posts: 85
Joined: 9/12/03
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3496]
TigerPulse: 86%
Posts: 10341
Joined: 12/9/03
|
What if Danny doesn't get run off............
Jun 22, 2022, 10:20 AM
|
|
Can you imagine Danny Ford at Head Coach with the 1990 and 1991 teams? Those teams were absolutely loaded on defense and they had strong kicking games. I think we win another national title with one of those teams.
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [30838]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 34501
Joined: 6/22/03
|
if Watson doesn't throw a pick in the 2nd
Jun 22, 2022, 10:57 AM
|
|
qrt..... Clemson goes up 21-7 in that drive and eventually wins the '16 NC...
|
|
|
|
|
Hall of Famer [24582]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 15130
Joined: 2/13/15
|
In 2015...
Jun 22, 2022, 11:33 AM
|
|
What if a couple of players (I won't name the players) didn't check out the 2nd half of that season?(Including ACCCG/CFP/NCG)..
What if the defense covered O.J. Howard in the title game?...
What if Mack Island, Sack Lawson was 100 percent in said title game?....
What if Mike Williams didn't Crack his neck in that 1st game that year?...
Oh my!!!!.....
??????
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [6153]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4043
Joined: 2/15/11
|
What if John Heisman doesn’t leave for Ga Tech...?
Jun 22, 2022, 11:36 AM
|
|
What if he devotes his entire career to Clemson and builds a national powerhouse program in the upstate of South Carolina over 100 years ago?
We talk about “generational” players all the time.
Heisman was certainly a “generational” coach.
We had him and we let him slip away.
Not sure we could have kept him regardless ... problem is, there is scant evidence we even tried.
|
|
|
|
Replies: 9
| visibility 1
|
|
|