Tiger Tracker: How did Clemson perform against Virginia Tech?
Offense: A-
Last week I told you the Clemson offense came out with little energy and a vanilla gameplan. It seems like that was pretty accurate after this game. Kelly Bryant wasn't perfect by any means, sailing a few passes high that could have broken the game open early, but he settled down to turn in a nice performance both passing and running. The Tigers used much more true read option, allowing the dangerous Bryant to fool defenders and get out in space on the ground. The coaches opened up the playbook, and the offense looked good as a result. The running backs didn't have the type of game you might have expected, but part of that is a product of the Hokies zeroing in on them on read-option plays. Bryant made them pay as a result.
Defense: A
The defense brought the energy this week, dominating in the trenches and flying around to make life incredibly uncomfortable for Virginia Tech Quarterback Josh Jackson. The Hokies could find nothing in the run game, allowing the Tigers to pin their ears back and get after the freshman quarterback. Clemson linebacker Dorian O'Daniel turned in his second pick-six in three weeks as well. You hate to give up a late touchdown, but you'll live with it because it meant the backups were playing. Tech simply could not move the ball on the starters, only able to get a touchdown after being able to start their drive at the Clemson two-yard line following a big punt return.
Special Teams: C+
Questions remain about the special teams. Alex Spence hit his first field goal attempt, but then pushed his second attempt from 41 yards out. The kick coverage was good, but the punt team gave up a big return to set the Hokies up for a touchdown. Clemson, meanwhile, found minimal plays of their own in the kick or punt return game.
Coaching: A
As we thought they would, the coaches opened up the playbook on the road in Blacksburg, giving Kelly Bryant more freedom to make plays. As we've seen for most of the season, they pushed the offense when they needed to and got the points necessary, then relied on the defense to make the plays to win the game in a tough environment. With this game behind them, the real challenge the rest of the season will be keeping Clemson from beating Clemson against inferior opponents.