Some thoughts on last night...

Sep 17, 2017, 7:10 AM

While there is some talk of us being #1 when the rankings come out, there is also still a chance we could be back to back champions without being at the top of the polls in any preseason or mid season rankings - wonder if that's ever happened.

The defense continues to prove me wrong, as I complain to myself about how we are leaving so much time on the game clock during offensive drives while protecting a lead, and worried they may be getting tired. They just seem to get stronger as the game progresses. The depth and conditioning they show is incredible.

Etienne reminds me of Bellamy, but hopefully minus the attitude and off-field problems - ability to come off the bench and catch the defense off-guard with his quick burst and speed. Same for Ray Ray - I can't tell you how excited and proud I was to see him fun full sprint through the endzone and even give a head lunge like he was crossing the finish line in a 100 yd dash to show the coaches and fans he will never let off the gas or start celebrating early again. This shows he is about the team and not himself.

I have to admit that I was worried about Feaster when he saw limited time against Kent St and how that might affect him during and after this season. By making him earn his reps and prove himself before just handing over the reins to him, he got the opportunity to come out against Louisville and demand, through his performance, more touches (and maybe ultimately the starting job) and more of a role in this offense. This is where I can see the strategy of leaving 20 seconds on the game clock each snap, when we have this depth at running back to keep wearing defenses down.

In a game like last nights, where we are on the road against a team and crowd that thrives on momentum, protecting the ball on offense and extending drives is so important, and KB has impressed me more on this than anything (the last two games). There have a been a couple plays I thought he was going to try and force a pass, but took a sack instead when he couldn't safely throw it away. This is a sign of maturity and wisdom, especially when you can rely so much on your defense to get you the ball back.

The future is beyond bright at just about every position. The young guys are itching to get their opportunity to play and the starters cheer them on like it is their own kids or little brothers. Might be the most close knit team Clemson has ever witnessed.

If we are trying to run time off the clock late in the game, where time and protecting the ball takes priority over trying to gain meaningful yards or first down, taking a false start can get us another 25 seconds of time off the clock, as the clock keeps running after the first offensive penalty.

Even though the team has to take it one game at a time, as a fan, the schedule is starting to look really good for Clemson and another trip the playoffs. If we thought a ticket was hard to come by last year (compared to Phoenix), imagine if/when we go to Atlanta.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Some thoughts on last night...

Re: Some thoughts on last night...

""NO TURNOVERS""

TigerBoard POTD