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Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Replies: 18
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TigerNet HOFer [124265]
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Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Oct 21, 2025, 10:13 AM
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Prior to GR our WRs were listed 9[boundary], 2[Field] & 5[Slot].
Mo grass = Field.
Clemson Field & Boundary would switch sides based on hash/ball placement. Sometimes Field would be QB Left, sometimes QB right. Functionally then the 2 & 9 learned 1 position that played vs Defensive Wide or Short side looks. Some Ds used to call it Power Right/Left, Strong Right/Left[SDE/WDE flipped sides] and then also Field/Boundary[Mo Grass/Less Grass].
Coach Riley's X & Z do not switch sides for Field/Boundary, which functionally means they are responsible for both playbooks and have to learn to be comfortable in mo grass & less based on hash/ball placement.
IMO, that provides a steeper learning curve early for those newer to the system, but it does eventually cross-train for either. Some Wides are more comfortable with the 12th defender on right shoulder, some with it on their left. Similar to DEs that are better Swat/Swim guys from the defensive right or DEs that move inside having to be comfortable in gap with both shoulders covered.
Tristan's been coming on having rec'd 25-26 snaps the last 4 games and hopefully settling in to both looks. It's important.
Could Moore with his experience move to Wesco's X, then Tristan step into the Z? Has Williams cross-trained at X/Z[not read that one way or the other under Riley], then allow Brown the start at H?
No matter the who that runs out first, should TS continue his recent trajectory, it seems likely he's destined for a larger role.
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TigerNet Icon [158040]
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This is what Xs & Os looks like
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Oct 21, 2025, 10:25 AM
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Thank you for all that you do.
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TigerNet HOFer [124265]
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I've seen people run scared from you, when you offered to chat up Xs & Os...
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Oct 21, 2025, 10:40 AM
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You're a bad man offering your incite, but I'm still hopeful enough sober/sane people are here to have a reasoned discussion.
Fingers crossed...
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Paw Master [16174]
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Re: This is what Xs & Os looks like
Oct 21, 2025, 8:27 PM
[ in reply to This is what Xs & Os looks like ] |
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I think we need to bring back the linemen fights to toughen these dudes up!
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Rival Killer [2953]
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Solid insight DSP
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Oct 21, 2025, 11:04 AM
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I'm hopeful the offense can put the best receivers on the field however that's going to look going forward. I do think Tristan should get a hard look at starting if Williams doesn't switch with Brown in the slot.
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Ultimate Tiger [35995]
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Re: Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Oct 21, 2025, 11:19 AM
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Hmmmmm....so you may actually know WTH you're talking about after all.....
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TigerNet Icon [158040]
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Its not something we are used to on this web site.***
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Oct 21, 2025, 11:21 AM
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TigerNet HOFer [124265]
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National Champion [7345]
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I have a qweshion.
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Oct 21, 2025, 11:59 AM
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(Thanks for the breakdown. That's pretty great stuff. Looking forward to seeing more Smith than Turner in the future.)
Q: It seemed that our LBs were sometimes in a bad position to make a tackle on running plays that went to the outside on Saturday. Like they were getting sealed off and unable to shed the blocker(s).
Is that poor LB play or poor scheming?
And would you say that our defensive backfield is probably the weakest link, overall, even weaker than our front and our LBs?
TYIA.
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TigerNet HOFer [124265]
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A1A, could be any of your options or "other", which would include giving...
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Oct 21, 2025, 12:42 PM
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the opposing O credit. They just win sometimes.
Francis Marion® is partial to the D and might likely ask you the same as I would, do you have a specific play in mind, the team & time.
It's far better, as guys like EMac will do in his video to look at the play on film, then offer thoughts based on reasonable assumptions through experience as to the offensive intent/call, defensive play call and subsequent keys/reads/reacts.
Simple reads as a defensive player as example was Hat UP, Hat Down from an early look at the OL. That's one of the reasons RPO can be devastating with the right guy at the fulcrum and other pieces in place doing their job.
I've got some cut-ups on a play like this one with Cade vs Cuse in 2022.
https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-forum/message/ol-is-at-a-significant-disadvantage-to-the-defense-as-the-d-can-see-the-qb...-37512591
As for our back-end, some coaches feel better at bend don't break, not giving up the quick 6. So many unknowns, but I was a bit surprised Clemson seemed to play off, while the DL was leading the nation in fastest time to pressure the QB. It didn't seem complementary to me, but again, that's just a loose opinion with almost no knowledge of what happens day to day.
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TigerNet Icon [158040]
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100%
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Oct 21, 2025, 1:02 PM
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On D, there are endless combinations of alignments, keys, reads, etc… and no one, except those on the field, knows exactly what is supposed to be happening, but that doesn’t stop us from making educated guesses.
With that said, I will readily admit any DC at the P5 level has forgotten more about D than I have ever known.
And as DSP said, even if both sides do their jobs, one side will get the better of the other.
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National Champion [7345]
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SMU does have some good athletes
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Oct 21, 2025, 4:38 PM
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who made a lot of plays in that RPO setup. Speed kills, and our guys consistently looked one step behind the play on many occasions.
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National Champion [7345]
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9:36 in the third
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Oct 21, 2025, 4:35 PM
[ in reply to A1A, could be any of your options or "other", which would include giving... ] |
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SMU ball on Clem 36.
Clemson in a 4-3.
SMU QB pitches to RB in backfield.
#47 is sealed off.
#17 is sealed off.
#7 loafs and takes a bad angle.
#5 loafs and takes a bad angle.
Guy scores to go up 23-14.
Another one:
14:09 in the fourth
SMU ball on 50.
Clemson in nickel (I think)
SMU runs a little drag/X-slant type route across the middle with #6, who is covered by #47, who is absolutely out of position and gets beat for a long pitch/catch down the sideline.
The more I've watched, the more I've been confused by all that doesn't look right. It's over-pursuit, guys not able to shed blocks, guys not going 110%.
I thought Tom Allen was a head breaker. But these guys play soft.
And yes, I wondered why we gave up so many 10+ yard pass plays over the middle. I guess that's the "bend don't break" philosophy.
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Clemson Conqueror [11165]
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Re: Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Oct 21, 2025, 11:59 AM
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Since defenses align based on the wide or short side of the field and DBs switch accordingly, one would assume this would give us a tactical advantage.
Most teams place their best cover DB in the boundary. On the other hand, this philosophy would also seem to limit our play calling options.
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National Champion [7737]
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Re: Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Oct 21, 2025, 12:16 PM
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I prefer x, y and z
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Head Coach [933]
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Re: Tristan Smith, the Clemson O, cross-training X & Z under Coach Riley...
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Oct 21, 2025, 12:36 PM
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Thx for the breakdown
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Clemson Conqueror [11130]
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THIS is the stuff
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Oct 21, 2025, 1:23 PM
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That Made America Great Already.
Along with deep dish pizza, A/C and 2 piece bathing suits that weigh less than 3 ozs.
I only hope to remember 1/2 of it for week from Saturday high noon
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Heisman Winner [87524]
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We're a Lacrosse skewl now in case you haven't noticed.
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Oct 21, 2025, 8:16 PM
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All of this other brutish nonsense means nothing anymore.
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Clemson Icon [25975]
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Were 3-4, not 3-4 because of receiver cross-training.
Oct 21, 2025, 10:33 PM
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Great post, though! Almost makes me forget we’re 3-4 and can’t block or Wade can't make a tackle.
The pumper cavalry arrived right on cue. Predictable, but impressive.
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