Clemson by the numbers: Tigers strengthen efficiency on offense, defense

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Nov 10 10:23:59 GMT-04:00 2019

Clemson moved to No. 2 in total offense and maintained a No. 4 ranking on defense in a 55-10 win over NC State on Saturday.

They are joined in the top-5 and top-10 nationally in both only by Ohio State nationally (No. 5 in total offense; No. 1 in total defense).

Despite success in traditional stats, predictive metrics like ESPN's SP+ are still skeptical, with factors like the lack of strength in the ACC and an inefficient special teams group dragging Dabo Swinney's group to No. 6 overall currently (27.5). Ohio State paces that ranking in that metric adjusted for garbage time (36.9), followed by Alabama (31.9), Georgia (29.5) and Oklahoma (27.5). ESPN's Football Power Index moved Clemson up to No. 2 (30), however, behind Ohio State (34.7) and ahead of Alabama (29).

Individually, Travis Etienne kept his spot atop of college football in yards per carry (8.86) and holds a top-5 ranking in rushing yards (4th; 1,214).

More stats:

Clemson top 25 national rankings

First downs offense - 1 (265 gained), turnovers gained - 2 (22), passing defense - 2 (137.2 YPG), total offense - 2 (545.8), pass efficiency defense - 2 (92.79 rating), first downs defense - 3 (124 allowed), scoring defense - 3 (11.5 PPG), total defense - 4 (251.5), sacks allowed - 4 (.70), third down defense - 6 (28.3), red zone TD percentage defense - 6 (40), scoring offense - 6 (44.2 PPG), tackles for loss - 7 (8.4), defensive TDs - 7 (3), rushing offense - 8 (269.8 YPG), red zone defense - 10 (70 percent), turnover margin - 10 (.90), tackles for loss allowed - 10 (3.9), passes intercepted - 12 (11), kickoff return defense 14 (17.4), fumbles lost 18 (4), red zone TD percentage offense - 18 (73.9), team sacks - 20 (3.10 per), passing efficiency - 21 (155.01), rushing defense - 23 (114.3).

Other key stats

Passing offense - 33 (276), third down offense - 37 (43.7 percent), red zone offense - 45 (87), kickoff returns - 63 (20.9).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne - Rushing yards per carry 1 (8.86), rushing yards 4 (1,214), total touchdowns 7 (15), rushing yards per game 7 (121.4), total points scored 8 (90), rushing TDs 8 (13), all purpose yards 10 (142.9).

Trevor Lawrence - Points responsible for 7 (180), passing efficiency 8 (167.6), passing yards per attempt 10 (9.14), points responsible for per game 11 (18), passing TDs 14 (23), completion percentage 19 (67.1), passing yards per completion 20 (13.6), passing yards 29 (2,303).

Tee Higgins - Yards per reception 15 (20.4).

Tanner Muse - Total interceptions 24 (3)

(Stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)

WEEK 12 SP+ TOP 10

1 Ohio St 36.9
2 Bama 31.9
3 LSU 31.1
4 UGA 29.5
5 OU 27.5
6 Clemson 27.5 (ACC and spec tms are anchors)
7 PSU 26.0
8 Utah 22.7
9 Auburn 22.4
10 Florida 22.2

REMINDER: Predictor, not résumé tool. Full ratings to come.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) November 10, 2019