The key to beating FSU, especially with Manuel in at QB is

Like anyone else, I can only offer an opinion. With a few exceptions, we are not strong or tough enough, especially on the line of scrimmage. This goes back to a general lack of effective player development in our program, especially with regard to the strength and training program----which in my opinion has been sadly lacking for years. This is why we are so frequently beaten up front by vastly inferior teams; why we can't stop the run or mount a really threatening pass rush. These comments will undoubtedly bring out the thought police who consider any attempt at realistic assessment as "bashing." And any questioning of the strength program seems to send Coach Swinney into a frenzy of denial. The mistakes have been made over a period of months and, barring a miracle, can't be fixed in a week---or even a season. As a loyal fan, I fear that our D will be torched by FSU, and that things may get ugly and embarrassing very quickly on Saturday. I hope I'm wrong. But then, Dabo said post-game that Brewer is our smartest defensive back. God help us.

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I honestly think it's our offense.....

Sep 16, 2012, 11:35 AM

First, can you imagine how demoralizing it can be to go up against our offense in practice every week? Second, the explosiveness of our offense surely gives those defensive players a factor to zap their motivation. The past 2 games they have KNOWN that they will not make the difference in Clemson winning or losing the game. This is a problem most teams with high powered/unique offenses suffer from.

I fully expect a better effort against FSU, similar to what we saw versus Auburn. We will still, however, NOT be a very good defense and if our offense does not click on all cylinders, you could get another WVA situation.

Best case scenario next weekend is we keep FSU under 30 and our offense produces. If they do we will easily have more than 30 points. But time of possession for the other team will be the major factor for our offense to overcome. We're like a Ferrari or some other high performance car. Run it full out constantly and it hums, but put it in the garage for a while and you will have problems. The less time FSU's offense is on the field, the better our offense will perform.

I worried last year and the year before when we played North Texas, PC, Wofford, and Troy. It is the same problem we've had since 2010. In all four of those games in 2010 and 2011, those teams had their offense out on the field FAR too long, and it worried me. Same situation this year with our warm-up games. Offenses are on the field far too long against our defense. THAT puts pressure on the offense to score every time they touch the ball. That's not a worry against Ball State and Furman, but it's a huge worry against an FSU, Ga Tech, etc.