Bold Prediction for Clemson, 2022.

Jul 25, 2022, 3:51 PM

I'll start. Feel free to bash my prediction and/or make one of your own.

Bold Prediction #1: Clemson defense will give up less than 11.00 points per game (and lead the nation).

Rationale:

A. Last year defense gave up 14.85 ppg (2nd to UGA's 10.2). In order to have a superior defense you have to have two things. 1) Outstanding depth - not only 1st and 2nd team, but 3rd team has to be solid players - 2) An offense that can stay on the field, giving the defense a chance to rest. Clemson, IMHO, has both.

B. UGA didn't have a great offense last year. They had the ball only 30 minutes per game. And, they scored 38.4 ppg. Clemson had the ball 29 minutes per game and scored only 26.3 ppg, 82nd in nation. I can see Clemson being a balanced offense this year, certainly not throwing the ball 50 times a game and scoring quickly. If Clemson can keep the ball 31 or 32 minutes a game (letting the defense rest) and score 35 ppg average, that will mean (assuming the D is as good as I think) teams will be playing from behind, which will limit their playbook, which means the DL will be able to pin their ears back and "meet me at the quarterback."

Reasons why it might not happen.

A. Dabo is not a "run up the score and embarrass them" type coach. He loves to play as many people as possible every game. This helps build depth, but it also hurts team stats. (Dabo has a very similar philosophy than Bobby Bowden had in the 90s when it comes to playing a whole bunch of people as much as possible. "You win next year's championship this year.")

B. The game has become an offensive game. Rules are made to help the offense. 11 points per game is not just great; it is outstanding, superior, super-elite or whatever superlative you want to use. (But that's why it is a BOLD prediction.)

I think the offense is going to be FAR better than last year. I don't think it will be as good as TL's offense or DW's offense (national championship years) but I think it will be plenty good enough for the D to shine - and shine REALLY BRIGHT.