Clemson by the numbers: Tigers only team with top-5 offense, defense

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Oct 27 13:16:46 GMT-04:00 2019

Clemson is the only team in the nation with top-5 rankings in both total offense and defense (4), after a 59-7 drubbing of Boston College on Saturday.

They back up that yardage dominance with top-7 rankings in both scoring defense (6) and offense (7) and top-5 marks in passing defense (2), pass efficiency defense (2), first downs defense (2), defensive touchdowns (4), sacks allowed (5) and first downs offense (5).

By advanced metrics, ESPN's SP+ has Clemson as one of three teams with a top-10-rated offense (8) and defense (5), along with Ohio State (No. 5 offense; No. 1 defense) and Alabama (No. 2 offense; No. 8 defense). ESPN's FPI has four teams with that distinction, with Clemson having the nation's top defense and No. 7 offense (Ohio State with No. 1 O/No. 2 D; Alabama with No. 3 O/No. 6 D; Utah with No. 8 O/No. 5 D).

Individually, Travis Etienne is up to No. 2 in yards per carry (7.8) and Tee Higgins is still in the top-10 nationally in yards per reception (21.8).

The ultra-efficient effort from Trevor Lawrence on Saturday has him in the top-20 nationally now in points responsible for (13), points responsible for per game (15) and passing yards per attempt (18), joining the top-25 in passing efficiency (21) this week.

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Passing defense - 2 (136.1 YPG), pass efficiency defense - 2 (89.51 rating), first downs defense - 2 (101 allowed), defensive TDs - 4 (3), total offense - 4 (525.9), total defense - 4 (246.1), sacks allowed - 5 (.75), first downs offense - 5 (210 gained), scoring defense - 6 (11.4 PPG), red zone TD percentage defense - 7 (43.75), scoring offense - 7 (42.4 PPG), third down defense - 7 (27.4), team sacks - 9 (3.63 per), tackles for loss - 9 (8.3), passes intercepted - 10 (10), rushing offense - 11 (254.1 YPG), tackles for loss allowed - 11 (4), turnovers gained - 13 (16), red zone defense - 19 (75 percent), rushing defense - 19 (110), fewest penalty yards per game 19 (43.3).

Other key stats

Red zone TD percentage offense - 26 (71.4), third down offense - 28 (44.4 percent), passing offense - 33 (271.8), turnover margin - 36 (.38), passing efficiency - 33 (149.3), kickoff returns - 49 (22), red zone offense - 53 (85.7).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne - Rushing yards per carry 2 (7.81), rushing yards 11 (890), rushing yards per game 12 (111.3), rushing TDs 15 (9), total touchdowns 17 (10), all purpose yards 20 (131.38).

Tee Higgins - Yards per reception 8 (21.78).

Trevor Lawrence - Points responsible for 13 (132), points responsible for per game 15 (16.5), passing yards per attempt 18 (8.7), passing efficiency 21 (157.4), passing TDs 26 (14), completion percentage 28 (65.6).

Tanner Muse - Total interceptions 16 (3), interceptions per game 30 (.4).

Joseph Ngata - Kickoff returns 19 (25.5).

Isaiah Simmons - Tackles for loss 19 (1.4), solo tackles 23 (5.5).

(Stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)