Clemson by the numbers: Tigers positioned well going into Playoff

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Dec 02 18:29:52 GMT-04:00 2018

Clemson heads into the College Football Playoff as the only team in the top-5 nationally in scoring offense and defense and also total offense and defense.

Alabama and Clemson run 1-2 in average scoring margin nationally, with the Crimson Tide holding a 33.1 PPG advantage and Dabo Swinney's Tigers, 32, but the Tigers average a nation-leading 253 yard-margin a game.

Clemson holds top-5 ranks in tackles for loss (2nd; 9.3 per game) and TFLs allowed (2nd; 3.46), as well as scoring defense (2nd; 13.7), sacks (3rd; 3.46), rushing defense (3rd; 93), total defense (4th; 276.8), red zone TD percentage (4th; 78.8 percent), fourth down defense (5th; .300), total offense (5th; 529.8) and scoring offense (5th; 45.7).

Notable numbers for Cotton Bowl opponent Notre Dame include success in pass efficiency defense (4th; 100.83), scoring defense (9th; 17.3 PPG) and fourth down offense (19th; .652) and some issues on special teams with punt return defense (71st; 8.69) and kickoff return defense (112th; 23.4).

Clemson has two players in the top-10 nationally in key stats with ACC player of the year Travis Etienne (total touchdowns - 2nd, 22; rushing touchdowns - 3rd, 21; rushing yards per carry - 5th, 8.31; rushing yards - 5th, 1,463; rushing yards per game - 10, 112.5) and star freshman Justyn Ross (yards per reception - 7th, 20.6).

Playoff Four profile (vs. FBS opponents)

1. Alabama

Total offense - 5th (524.8)

Scoring offense - 2nd (47.8)

Total defense - 8th (297.1)

Scoring defense - 4th (14.7)

2. Clemson

Total offense - 4th (529.8)

Scoring offense - 3rd (45.2)

Total defense - 4th (286.3)

Scoring defense - 3rd (14.3)

3. Notre Dame

Total offense - 22nd (456.1)

Scoring offense - 25th (33.8)

Total defense - 18th (331.5)

Scoring defense - 9th (17.3)

4. Oklahoma

Total offense - 1st (577.9)

Scoring offense - 1st (49.5)

Total defense - 102nd (448.1)

Scoring defense - 91st (32.4)

Clemson top 25 national rankings

TFL per game – 2 (9.3), TFL allowed - 2 (3.46 per game), scoring defense – 2 (13.7 PPG), sacks per game – 3 (3.46), rushing defense – 3 (93), total defense – 4 (276.8 YPG), red zone TD percentage – 4 (78.8), fourth down defense - 5 (.300), total offense – 5 (529.8), scoring offense – 5 (45.7), red zone defense TD percentage – 6 (45.2), third down defense - 7 (.282), rushing offense - 10 (259.8), red zone offense – 11 (.909), red zone defense – 11 (.742), sacks allowed - 11 (1.08), pass efficiency defense - 16 (110.87 rating), passing defense - 18 (183.8), passing efficiency – 22 (152.24).

Other key stats

Kickoff returns – 28 (23.2), passing offense - 29 (270.1), third down offense – 31 (.438), punt returns – 36 (7.8), turnover margin – 44 (.31).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne – Total touchdowns 2 (22), rushing touchdowns 3 (21), rushing yards per carry 5 (8.31), rushing yards 5 (1,463), rushing yards per game 10 (112.5).

Justyn Ross – Yards per reception 7 (20.6).

Clelin Ferrell – Sacks 12 (0.81 per game), tackles for loss 27 (1.3).

Tee Higgins - 17 (10).

Trevor Lawrence – Pass efficiency 19 (154), completion percentage 24 (.650), passing touchdowns 28 (24).

(National and individual stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)