The Tiger Ten

by TigerNet Staff - Thu Nov 15 09:43:55 GMT-04:00 2012

The Tiger Ten returns with a look back at the Maryland game and a look ahead to NC State. We start with a look at Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile 's superb passer efficiency rating of 171.99.

The Tiger Ten:

10.) Tajh Boyd went 18 of 26 for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns against Maryland. This equates to a passer efficiency rating of 191.6 for the game. Boyd is currently 2nd in the nation in passing efficiency behind Marcus Mariota at Oregon (season passing efficiency of 176.96). For the season, Boyd is 210 of 309 for 2,941 yards, 28 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and a passing efficiency of 171.99. The passing efficiency formula is: Passing Efficiency = (8.4 x Yards) + (330 X TD) + (100 X Completions) – (200 X INT) and all of that divided by (number of attempts). Somewhat confusing, but essentially shows that Boyd gets a lot of yards and touchdowns (with few interceptions) very efficiently.

9.) Over the last 3 games, the Clemson Offense has averaged just over 37 points in the first half. For the season, the Clemson Offense is averaging 27.6 points in the first half. Those first half numbers are better than what 54 other FBS teams are averaging for a complete game. Saturday against Maryland was the Clemson Offense’s third straight game of scoring 40+ points. The Clemson Offense is currently 6th in the nation in scoring, averaging 42.9 points per game. Clemson has faced three Top 50 scoring defenses this season (FSU – 4, Maryland – 43, VT – 50) and on average they have faced the 65th ranked scoring defense for the season.

8.) Over the last four games, the Clemson scoring defense has improved from 71st to 33rd in the nation. In that four game stretch, they have only given up 1 touchdown in the fourth quarter (VT) and they have only given up a total of 19 points in the second half. However, also in that four game stretch the average scoring offense they have faced has gone from 71st to 84th. Even though this might take away from their 33rd ranked scoring defense, one positive thing to take away is that the defense is stopping teams that they are supposed to stop.

7.) DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#6 6-2, 205
Central, SC
View Full Profile has been named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (presented to the nation’s top wide receiver). So far this season, Hopkins is 2nd in the nation in receiving touchdowns (14 total), 8th in the nation in receiving yards per game (109.6 ypg), and T-23rd in the nation in receptions per game (6.6 per game).

6.) With one ACC game to go, here is how Clemson players compare to others in the ACC: Tajh Boyd – 1st in Passing Efficiency and Total Offense. DeAndre Hopkins – 1st in receiving TDs, 2nd in receiving ypg, 3rd in receptions per game, and 10th in all purpose (APY) ypg. Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile – 3rd in rushing ypg and 6th in APY per game. Rashard HallRashard Hall
Gr. Safety
#31 6-2, 210
St. Augustine, FL
View Full Profile – T-5th in interceptions. Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS So. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile – T-9th in sacks.

5.) After getting a break by facing Maryland’s 5th string quarterback, the Clemson secondary will be tested by NC State. NC State is currently 27th in the nation in passing offense, averaging 291 yards per game. They are 12th in the nation in pass attempts, passing the ball just over 42 times per game. Senior quarterback, Mike Glennon, is averaging 24 completions on 42 attempts per game, 291 yards passing, just over 2 touchdowns, and just over 1 interception per game.

4.) Something to watch Saturday will be third downs. NC State’s strength is their 3rd down defense. Their defense is 3rd in the nation, holding teams to a 25.3% 3rd down conversion rate. This is also Clemson’s strength on offense. The Clemson offense is ranked 3rd in the nation converting 53.2% of their third downs. In Clemson’s only loss, they only converted on 41% of their third downs. In NC State’s wins, their defense has held teams to under 20% on third down conversions and in their losses they have still only allowed teams to convert just over 30% on third down.

3.) Another thing to watch Saturday will be the protection that Tajh Boyd gets. NC State is 7th in the nation in tackles for a loss (averaging 7.8 TFL per game) and 10th in the nation in sacks (averaging 3 sacks per game). The Clemson offense is ranked 70th in nation in sacks allowed (allowing 2 sacks per game).

2.) On the flip side, the Clemson defense should be able to put pressure on Mike Glennon. Over the last four games, the Clemson defense has averaged 3.25 sacks per game. NC State is 110th in the nation, allowing 3.2 sacks per game.

1.) Over the last two games, the Clemson offense has seen their number of turnovers increase. Against Duke they had 4 turnovers and against Maryland they had 3 turnovers. In contrast, the offense only had 8 turnovers in their first 8 games. In this two game span, Clemson has dropped from 13th nationally in turnover margin (TOM) of +1 per game, to T-41st with a TOM of +0.4 per game. In NC State’s wins, they have TOM of +1.33 per game, but in their losses, they have a TOM of -3.5 per game. So, the big 3 things to watch Saturday will be 3rd downs, QB protection, and turnover margin.