Wow. Pretty surreal to think we are back in the CFP. Against all odds, through several low points, here we are, 1 of 12 teams who will play a game that means something.
I’m not going to get into in depth breakdowns of this game. There’s plenty of that out on the web, and honestly, it’s not what you guys pay me for.
I have tried all season to get a read on this 2024 team, who they are, and what team they remind me of. I’ve had a tough time finding an adequate comp to a previous Clemson club. However, I’ve gotten strong vibes of the 2011-2013 teams. We’re good, we dispose of teams we’re more talented than, but when facing teams of equal or greater talent/coaching, we melt. Sometimes big melts, sometimes, just enough to give a game away. And with that Cade is similar to Tajh, looks like a Heisman contender one game, the next just spells of “meh”.
On offense, I believe our gameplan will be forced into something similar to the Scar game, with heavy doses of short to intermediate throws. It was a great gameplan and Cade executed tremendously through 2.5 quarters. While most will point to the final play and ring their hands, there were a couple of 3rd down throws late in the game that we didn’t execute on that would have changed the complexion of that game. Texas is going to play soft on the backend and rely on their defensive line to get pressure. I don’t believe we can consistently gain yards on the ground through traditional means. If we are to have success on offense, Cade will have to play out of his mind.
On defense, wow. What to say? 1st half defense, freaking monsters. 2nd half, yikes. I will not cheer out loud tomorrow for any defensive first half plays. I just will not be lulled in again to think this group can play a full game and show up when it matters to get us a stop late when it matters. It’s that I don’t want to, I just haven’t seen it at a level to win these types of ballgames. Again, another similar trait to the 2011-2013 bunch.
With that said, Texas is beatable. What does Clemson have to do? Well, keeping with the 2011-2013 theme this team has shown, this needs to be Cade’s Tajh/LSU game. This needs to be this defenses’ LSU game. Can the Tigers withstand the punches, and deliver a final knockout blow late?
I have my doubts. But I also want to believe. The eyes of Texas are upon…..AH HELL, GIVE ME THAT TIGER HEAD.
TIGERS 25
TEXAS 23
I’m not going to get into in depth breakdowns of this game. There’s plenty of that out on the web, and honestly, it’s not what you guys pay me for.
I have tried all season to get a read on this 2024 team, who they are, and what team they remind me of. I’ve had a tough time finding an adequate comp to a previous Clemson club. However, I’ve gotten strong vibes of the 2011-2013 teams. We’re good, we dispose of teams we’re more talented than, but when facing teams of equal or greater talent/coaching, we melt. Sometimes big melts, sometimes, just enough to give a game away. And with that Cade is similar to Tajh, looks like a Heisman contender one game, the next just spells of “meh”.
On offense, I believe our gameplan will be forced into something similar to the Scar game, with heavy doses of short to intermediate throws. It was a great gameplan and Cade executed tremendously through 2.5 quarters. While most will point to the final play and ring their hands, there were a couple of 3rd down throws late in the game that we didn’t execute on that would have changed the complexion of that game. Texas is going to play soft on the backend and rely on their defensive line to get pressure. I don’t believe we can consistently gain yards on the ground through traditional means. If we are to have success on offense, Cade will have to play out of his mind.
On defense, wow. What to say? 1st half defense, freaking monsters. 2nd half, yikes. I will not cheer out loud tomorrow for any defensive first half plays. I just will not be lulled in again to think this group can play a full game and show up when it matters to get us a stop late when it matters. It’s that I don’t want to, I just haven’t seen it at a level to win these types of ballgames. Again, another similar trait to the 2011-2013 bunch.
With that said, Texas is beatable. What does Clemson have to do? Well, keeping with the 2011-2013 theme this team has shown, this needs to be Cade’s Tajh/LSU game. This needs to be this defenses’ LSU game. Can the Tigers withstand the punches, and deliver a final knockout blow late?
I have my doubts. But I also want to believe. The eyes of Texas are upon…..AH HELL, GIVE ME THAT TIGER HEAD.
TIGERS 25
TEXAS 23
