Jeff Scott: "If we protect the ball, we win. That’s just a mindset that our guys have."

Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott spoke with the media Monday morning as his offense prepares to go up against a Miami defense that has caused offenses a lot of problems.

The Hurricanes have also created a few turnovers and have something you may have heard about: the turnover chain.

“They’re No. 1 in the country in turnover margin so that’ll continue to be a big factor for us as we go. And then they’re also No. 1 in the country in sacks, No. 2 in the country in tackles for loss and No. 15 in the country in scoring defense. Only given up 18 points a game. So it’ll be a big challenge for us offensively. It’ll be a great game; I know our guys are excited, looking forward to the challenge and ready to go play Saturday night.”

Scott said that he went back and watched all of the turnovers that Miami has forced this season last night. That may have taken a while.

The Hurricanes have forced 29 turnovers so far this season.

“90 percent of them, Miami did a great job of causing the turnover. They do a good job of tackling the ball as they’re tackling the ball carrier, being very specific with their hands trying to knock the ball out. And then I think the interceptions are a combination of their scheme being unpredictable.”

One significant aspect that jumped out at Scott while watching the film is that Miami’s defense looks a little familiar.

“Whenever I watch their defense, I see our defense out there. A lot of similarities at each position. For us, we really talk about turnovers every week and the importance of that.”

Ball security has always been an important theme to this offense all season, but this week it’ll be as important as ever. How does Scott teach his offense the importance of securing the football?

“We show guys examples. If you can learn from other people's’ mistakes, hopefully it’ll help you prevent some. So we look for that.”

Every day of the week for Clemson, there is a theme. Tuesdays just happen to be about turnovers and Scott went into what goes on during that day.

“Tuesday for us is 'TANOGA Tuesday' which is Take Away; No Give Away. So at the very beginning of our team meeting every Tuesday, coach Swinney has a video put together for our defense of any turnovers that they caused in the last game and then also other turnovers maybe in some of the NFL games or the opponent we’re getting ready to play. Then you turn around, and (Swinney will) also show a bunch of pictures of great ball security. Just trying to get those guys a visual picture of that and coaching it.”

Scott continued to harp on how important it is to take care of the football. The team has had one simple mindset all season long:

“We have a philosophy that if we protect the ball, we win. That’s just a mindset that our guys have. Regardless of anything else in the game, if we don’t turn the ball over, we win. That’s kind of been one of the things that we live by and part of our process of winning. Our guys have bought into that.”

Watch the full interview of Scott talking about Miami’s defense below: