The Last Look: #2 Clemson vs Syracuse
The undefeated Clemson Tigers travel to 3-3 Syracuse Friday night for another road test.
Clemson is going for 13-straight road victories on Friday the 13th. Here are a few final things to look for when the Tigers take on the Orange:
Three-and-outs are crucial --
We touched a bit on this yesterday, but we feel it is worth reiterating. When Clemson forces an opponent into a three-and-out, the Tigers’ offense takes the ball down the field their next possession for a score 50-percent of the time.
Clemson has created 30 three-and-outs this season, five per game, and has scored points after 15 of them, 13 being touchdowns.
The defense has also helped the Clemson offense get off to a fast start and put opponents in a hole in a hurry. In their first six games, Clemson’s defense has forced a three-and-out their first possession faced four times.
Clemson has scored points after all four of those series.
The Tigers will look for a fast start on the road, especially against the up-tempo offense. If Clemson can force three-and-outs, the Orange will be out of rhythm offensively, and Clemson can take control of the game.
Syracuse’s 290-pound running back --
Yes, you read that right.
Freshman Chris Elmore is a 290-pound bowling ball that will create a new challenge for a defense that feels like it had already seen it all.
Elmore has 17 carries for 47 yards on the season, which on the surface isn’t anything too special. He is a short-yardage back that looks to run defenders over and get the yards he needs to get for his team.
On plays where the offense only needs 1-2 yards, Elmore has gotten eight of his 17 carries and averages more than two yards per carry.
Christian Wilkins, the 6-4 300-pound defensive linemen, wants to use Elmore’s situation as leverage to be more involved on offense.
“I don’t think of it as a challenge, I just think of it as an opportunity,” Wilkins said. “It gets me ideas. I am only ten pounds heavier, so maybe we should incorporate me more on the offense carrying the ball. I’m always in coach’s ear about that.
“The coaches have been hating on me a little bit, and I’ve been lobbying for carries since freshman year.”
Although it isn’t the most important part of Syracuse’s game plan, it’ll be fun to watch big number 36 carry the ball for the Orange Friday night.
Clemson’s defensive adjustments –
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables does an incredible job with his unit.
You see it on Saturdays when his defense shuts down opposing offenses with great force, but you don’t get to see the preparation that takes place during the week.
Venables has seen it all during his coaching career and what makes him one of the best is that he knows how to adjust and add new wrinkles to throw offenses off-balance.
We saw in the Virginia Tech game that the defense was going to be aggressive. But instead of blitzing six or seven guys, Clemson used creative stunts and dropped ends into pass coverage. This was a look that freshman quarterback Josh Jackson had not seen yet, and it forced him to make some tough decisions with the ball.
Clemson will look to do something similar Friday night. They want to give Syracuse a lot of different looks to confuse them and throw them off balance. The Orange’s offense is built to get the ball out to the receivers in a blink of an eye.
Look for defensive ends, like Austin Bryant, to drop into coverage a few times as they ran against Louisville and Virginia Tech.
The defense has been dominant through three quarters this season. Clemson has given up eight touchdowns this season, and six of them came in the fourth quarter when Clemson lead by at least 20 points.
The Tigers have outscored their opponents 56-7 in the third quarter alone. That comes from coaching and halftime adjustments on both sides of the ball.
Kelly Bryant will play, but Hunter Johnson is ready if called upon –
Quarterback Kelly Bryant has been hobbled all week with an ankle injury. He was seen in a walking boot on his left foot after the Wake Forest game last Saturday.
Dabo Swinney told Clemson Sports Talk on Wednesday that Bryant has practiced all week and is “ready to roll” against Syracuse.
We don’t know how well Bryant has actually been moving and if he’s for sure 100-percent healthy. Swinney didn’t seem too worried about the injury every time he was asked about it this week.
If Bryant is ready to roll, that’s big for the Tigers. If not, Hunter Johnson looks ready to play if needed.
After Zerrick Cooper struggled a bit against Wake Forest, Johnson came in and did not disappoint. He threw five passes for five completions and one touchdown. He didn’t only look impressive throwing the football; he commanded the offense very well.
We’re not saying Bryant shouldn’t start. If he’s healthy, he is the most capable quarterback on the roster and is the driving force that makes Clemson’s offense a headache for coordinators.
If he is still hurting and needs to come out of the game at some point, don’t panic. Look for Johnson to lead the offense with not much of a drop-off.