Five final thoughts in advance of today’s 3:30 PM game against Georgia Tech:
1. Georgia Tech’s offense ranks 95th nationally in third-down conversions.
We repeat: 95th nationally, at 35.4 percent.
This is a killer for that type of offense. And it’s a staggering drop from last year, when the Yellow Jackets ranked No. 1 nationally at a 57.8-percent clip.
Here’s where the Jackets ranked previously under Paul Johnson:
2015: 95th (35.4 percent)
2014: 1st (57.8)
2013: 4th (51.4)
2012: 31st (45.6)
2011: 2nd (53.8)
2010: 56th (40.4)
2009: 2nd (52.2)
2008: 84th (36.6)
Third-down struggles are mostly a reflection of the Yellow Jackets getting whipped up front. They were supposed to be good on the offensive line this year. They aren’t.
As Johnson says, physical superiority cancels most theory. That’s been the case so far.
Tech put up gaudy rushing numbers in the first two games against Alcorn State (476) and Tulane (439), but the past three games have featured a big drop-off: 216 against Notre Dame, 173 against Duke, 255 against North Carolina.
2. Watch the wheel route.
Clemson has to feel good about limiting Georgia Tech’s running game by stopping the dive and setting the edge on the outside.
Where things get hairy is when the A-backs, lined up just outside of the tackles, feign blocks on the outside and then release down the field.
Clemson’s aggression and physicality at linebacker work really well against the run, but last week against Notre Dame showed that B.J. Goodson and Ben Boulware can be vulnerable in the open field.
The Tigers should fully expect Johnson to hit them with wheel routes from the A-backs.
3. Tech’s defense might not be able to handle smashmouth.
A lot of North Carolina’s yards, both rushing and receiving, came after contact in the Tar Heels’ come-from-behind victory last week in Atlanta.
Maybe the wet conditions played a role, but the Jackets’ defense does look kind of soft.
North Carolina ran for 231 yards on Ted Roof’s defense. Clemson can continue to grow its offensive line and edge players by sticking with the pounding running game that worked well in the third quarter against a much more formidable Irish front.
4. Get in Justin Thomas’ head.
Thomas is a sensational playmaker, arguably the best Johnson has had at quarterback during his time at Georgia Tech.
Problem this year is, Thomas doesn’t have many playmakers around him. The Jackets lost some dynamic skill guys from last year’s offense, and that is forcing Thomas to press and take chances.
This is not the defense you want to face if you’re loose with the ball, and Thomas has been that at times this year.
This game could be a dogfight for Clemson, particularly coming off last week’s emotionally draining win over Notre Dame. But if the Tigers get a few turnovers early, it could quickly turn into a rout.
5. Beware Adam Gotsis.
The one guy who can muck things up for Clemson’s offensive line is this senior tackle, a disruptive presence who can live in opponents’ backfields.
The Tigers did a swell job of limiting Sheldon Day last week, and they face a similar challenge with Gotsis.
1. Georgia Tech’s offense ranks 95th nationally in third-down conversions.
We repeat: 95th nationally, at 35.4 percent.
This is a killer for that type of offense. And it’s a staggering drop from last year, when the Yellow Jackets ranked No. 1 nationally at a 57.8-percent clip.
Here’s where the Jackets ranked previously under Paul Johnson:
2015: 95th (35.4 percent)
2014: 1st (57.8)
2013: 4th (51.4)
2012: 31st (45.6)
2011: 2nd (53.8)
2010: 56th (40.4)
2009: 2nd (52.2)
2008: 84th (36.6)
Third-down struggles are mostly a reflection of the Yellow Jackets getting whipped up front. They were supposed to be good on the offensive line this year. They aren’t.
As Johnson says, physical superiority cancels most theory. That’s been the case so far.
Tech put up gaudy rushing numbers in the first two games against Alcorn State (476) and Tulane (439), but the past three games have featured a big drop-off: 216 against Notre Dame, 173 against Duke, 255 against North Carolina.
2. Watch the wheel route.
Clemson has to feel good about limiting Georgia Tech’s running game by stopping the dive and setting the edge on the outside.
Where things get hairy is when the A-backs, lined up just outside of the tackles, feign blocks on the outside and then release down the field.
Clemson’s aggression and physicality at linebacker work really well against the run, but last week against Notre Dame showed that B.J. Goodson and Ben Boulware can be vulnerable in the open field.
The Tigers should fully expect Johnson to hit them with wheel routes from the A-backs.
3. Tech’s defense might not be able to handle smashmouth.
A lot of North Carolina’s yards, both rushing and receiving, came after contact in the Tar Heels’ come-from-behind victory last week in Atlanta.
Maybe the wet conditions played a role, but the Jackets’ defense does look kind of soft.
North Carolina ran for 231 yards on Ted Roof’s defense. Clemson can continue to grow its offensive line and edge players by sticking with the pounding running game that worked well in the third quarter against a much more formidable Irish front.
4. Get in Justin Thomas’ head.
Thomas is a sensational playmaker, arguably the best Johnson has had at quarterback during his time at Georgia Tech.
Problem this year is, Thomas doesn’t have many playmakers around him. The Jackets lost some dynamic skill guys from last year’s offense, and that is forcing Thomas to press and take chances.
This is not the defense you want to face if you’re loose with the ball, and Thomas has been that at times this year.
This game could be a dogfight for Clemson, particularly coming off last week’s emotionally draining win over Notre Dame. But if the Tigers get a few turnovers early, it could quickly turn into a rout.
5. Beware Adam Gotsis.
The one guy who can muck things up for Clemson’s offensive line is this senior tackle, a disruptive presence who can live in opponents’ backfields.
The Tigers did a swell job of limiting Sheldon Day last week, and they face a similar challenge with Gotsis.
