No. 2 Clemson vs The Citadel: Our Take

Each week we give you three keys to the game and our staff predictions. Here is a look at today's opponent The Citadel.

The Match Up:

#2 Clemson (9-1, 1-1) vs The Citadel (5-5, 3-5)

Clemson's vs. The Citadel 2013 Highlights:

All-Time Series:

Clemson Leads: 31-5-1
at Clemson: Clemson leads 13-1
at Citadel: Clemson leads 13-1
at Neutral: Clemson leads 5-3-1
Last Meeting: Clemson 52-6 in 2013
Last Citadel Win: 6-0 in 1931 at Florence, SC
Streak: Clemson has won 16 in a row

Key 1: Do your job

Last week against Florida State, Clemson let the Seminoles sneak back in the game on a trick play. One reason that play worked was that Dorian O'Daniel tried to do too much, he forgot his responsibility. Against The Citadel, you have to play your role. If you try to do too much, you will find yourself in a bad position against the option.

The good news for Clemson is that against The Citadel, even being out of place will not be enough to make a huge difference. Clemson's defensive line minus Dexter Lawrence will still have enough to cause issues at the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs, and the Tigers will have their way against The Citadel's rushing attack.

Key 2: Deliver an early knockout

Clemson's downfield passing game has been a liability this season, but it should be a signature early on against The Citadel. In this observers perspective, Clemson should be able to do what they want offensively in Death Valley on Saturday. 

The real question becomes, how long do you want the starters in the game? If the goal is to limit snaps and allow the backups on both sides of the ball to play, then you have to stretch the field early and showcase the athleticism of Deon Cain and Tee Higgins against The Citadel's secondary.

Hit on a few big plays, expand the lead to 21-0 and move to the backups as soon as possible.

Key 3: Keep churning the running game

Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster have turned the running back depth chart on its head this season. The duo started the year on the bottom, but now are the two feature backs for Clemson. Both players possess the ability to take the football to the house on any given play.

Clemson should limit their touches tomorrow simply to preserve them for the stretch run, but Adam Choice and CJ Fuller should get plenty of opportunities. Clemson's sure to have a deep rotation on the offensive line, and you have to think that shortening the game as much as possible will be in the minds of the Clemson staff.

Prediction:

Vegas thinks this one could be a 50+ point victory for Clemson. That's a lot of points my friends, but it's a real possibility. Clemson's on a different level than we've ever seen them and The Citadel has fallen off quite a bit from their back to back Southern Conference title seasons. 

I hope Clemson has enough fireworks on hand for this one. The scoreboard should be moving throughout the game. Get ready for free Bojangles' before the end of the first half.