Welcome back to football period my friends! I’m definitely fed, particularly as the sporting activity relocates away from the quasi-fan situation of in 2014’s period. There is no denying the influence of that follower power on the game whether you remain in the arena or enjoying on TELEVISION. I assume my initial actual dosage of that came watching the end of the Euros this summer season. Viewing those fans go nuts after goals or huge conserves advised me of simply exactly how special sporting activity can be when it goes to its ideal. I was definitely extremely appreciative for in 2015’s football season really occurring (appreciate you Trevor Lawrence and staff for that!), but it certainly didn’t feel the exact same with 25% or less capacities in the places.
Now, onto the business handy. Allow me first state that as a man who grew up in the 1980s, the University of Georgia sits very easily at # 2 on my hate power structure. To be truthful, there have really been times I’ve almost drawn for the Gamecocks to defeat the Dawgs and also have definitely laughed to myself when that has actually occurred (particularly in 2019, LOL).
My disgust runs very, really deep for UGA and I enjoy the possibility to beat them right out of eviction. They truly certify as Clemson’s primary competitor in simply regarding every method apart from state lines as well as not playing annually. Hiring? Proximity? Value? Enemy leading. This is big as well as handling organization on Saturday night will reverberate past basic surveys and playoff forecasts.
Unlike the feathered individuals from Columbia, UGA brings some actual influence to this with their four and also five star studded roster as well as recent supremacy of the SEC East division. Numerous talking heads have actually made UGA their choice for this video game as well as also to win it all, though most of us recognize how much back 1980 remains in the rear view mirror. Truthfully, 1981 was pretty much back for a lengthy time up until that wonderful 2016 run led by Deshaun Watson. It might extremely well be UGA’s year to do it, yet placing a huge bullet hole in that desire right out of evictions would certainly be exceptionally, very wonderful. It will definitely be “large kid football” as Dabo said today in his press seminar. I would not desire it otherwise.
Clemson offense vs. UGA protection: Clemson fans have actually shown the usual nervousness pertaining to the offending line, though the system is in much better form heading into this game than at any factor in 2020. That stated, this game may extremely well boil down to just how Clemson’s center setting carries out versus a large interior defensive line.
The most effective comparison I can come up with here is when Clemson needed to manage the BJ Raji/Ron Dental braces combination that Boston College turned out in the 2006-2008 periods. Dabo’s very first win as acting head instructor showed up there in Boston, breaking a 3 video game losing touch to the Eagles at the same time. One of the keys to that game was the staff moving Thomas Austin to. Brad Scott claimed back then, “we needed a battle daddy therein.” Well, Clemson needs to discover one more one for this video game, which will likely be veteran Matt Bockhorst. UGA will certainly run a great deal of 3-4 hybrid looks with their All American monster Jordan Davis lined head up on the facility.
Clemson’s primary run video game staple has been the within zone, so losing the fight at the facility spot will likely indicate the Tigers will not be able to run it much if at all. It is a little unrealistic to anticipate any kind of OL to just relocate the UGA front backwards, yet just obtaining them relocating side to side can hopefully create some creases for the Clemson runners to strike.
Clemson’s running back space has no noticeable alpha, as well as the starter will be an enigma right up till first more than likely. It matters not if it is Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Speed, and even Will certainly Shipley, the individual that is out there have to take those songs, as they claim, and also secure the football. A “boring” 2 lawn run is a lot much better than obtaining stuffed with a TFL due to the fact that the back tried to bounce it for a large play. Hopefully those 2 lawn runs will certainly develop into 4 or 5 as the game goes on. If you can hit one right as well as stand out a huge play, just call it gravy.
I strongly think this video game is mosting likely to boil down to whose QB as well as skill men can make the soft-pedal the area. Expecting either offense to put with each other several play drives is possibly not that sensible, so finding those chunk plays will figure out things (along with turn over margin).
Fortunately for Clemson is that beginning QB DJ Uiagalelei has actually had 2 starts and also both times the Tigers essentially needed to toss it exclusively to win (or come close as in the case of ND in South Bend). The Tigers are much deeper at WR in game one below than at any factor in 2020. Justyn Ross is back and also assures to be featured in a selection of means. The other guys have the convenience of recognizing Ross will certainly draw significant focus and develop face to face chances down the field.
The Tigers struggled to run the round successfully last period, yet pass defense was fairly a strength. UGA hasn’t been particularly terrifying as a pass hurrying protection, but they still have individuals like Nolan Smith who are absolutely with the ability of producing severe problems, especially if the Tigers are in evident passing scenarios. Luckily Uiagalelei has all the arm ever before required to fire balls into limited windows and keep defenses straightforward down the area.
Clemson doesn’t have to compete 150 or more to win this video game, but the run video game does require to do sufficient to remain on timetable and also transform brief yardage as well as objective line situations. Having the physical presence of Uiagalelei as a run danger ought to absolutely help because respect as well.
An additional intriguing point to see is just how much impact the limited end position has thinking about Clemson returns all its cutting edge ability at the place with Tony Elliott currently mentoring them up. I really hope the staff enjoyed a whole lot of movie from what Florida and Alabama’s offenses did to the Dawgs last season. The only 2 groups UGA faced in 2020 with offending personnel coming close to or going beyond Clemson’s scored 44 as well as 41, and UGA was likely much better in the additional in 2020 vs. 2021.
Clemson defense vs. UGA offense: This is where the rubber really fulfills the roadway for me in this matchup. Every video game of this magnitude in this dynastic era other than the 2017 Sugar Dish has been won or lost many thanks to exactly how Clemson has defended. The last time out, the defense was a no program after the preliminary drive of the video game, and also though the offense racked up some points and had the video game in reach, the protection simply could not obtain stops in the second fifty percent. The same issue occurred in South Bend earlier in 2020, as well as in the LSU natty prior to that.
Just as good as UGA gets on defense, it is tough for me to see Clemson not reaching 24 points as they have done every video game but one because that Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama. Can Clemson keep UGA to 21 or less? The parts are certainly in position to believe it can be done.
Brent Venables need to ultimately really feel the transition from the fabulous Power Rangers to a likewise constructed DL is full. Clemson fans saw more 3 man fronts in 2019-2020 than in any of the seasons from Brent’s arrival in 2012 to 2018. The Tigers needed to depend a lot extra on multiplicity in the back as well as innovative pressures.
Venables should have the ability to return to the extra acquainted 4-3 Over front thanks to much more self-confidence in the 2 deep at DT, and in specific the ascension of Bryan Bresee to full cyborg standing. Bresee is maybe the finest athlete to ever put on the Paw at DT, which is saying something thinking about individuals like William Perry, Chester McGlockton, and also Christian Wilkins played here. Bresee was forced to play a much heavier snap lots in 2014 than what the personnel would have ordinarily wanted, however the payback ought to be available in the variation we see this season. A Lot like Michael Dean Perry’s camp prior to his ACC Gamer of the Year season in 1987, Bresee has actually done some technique wrecking of his very own.
At the same time, defensive end is a humiliation of treasures currently that Justin Foster and Xavier Thomas are back and also in the most effective form of their lives. Foster’s lack was a big deal in 2020, and also XT was a shell of himself in the limited action he was able to obtain. The personnel knows it essentially has 5 starter degree guys at the position.
UGA has their typical stable of great running backs. Probably one of the most unsafe is James Cook, the more youthful bro of Dalvin Chef, who they like to include in the passing game. It needs to go without stating that Clemson can not enable UGA to dictate with their running video game. Ohio State did that early as well as it resulted in the troubles anywhere else as the game went on.
Clemson will wish to force J.T. Daniels to win the game with his arm, and also Venables ought to feel extra comfy with his call sheet considering the returning experience of this year’s defense. He had the ability to remarkably bait Tua right into some massive errors for the last title mostly due to the fact that he had veteran men like Mullen, Terrell, Wallace, and also Muse to do it with in the back. This UGA violation does not come close to the firepower of that 2018 Alabama device Clemson blew out, yet the Clemson front should measure up to the buzz so Venables isn’t forced to toss numbers at the line of scrimmage the method he needed to in South Bend and New Orleans last period.
UGA will no question examination Clemson’s sides to see if the second and third degree can deal with any much better than they carried out in 2020. I certainly would take my opportunities there vs. up the middle, also if Tyler Davis isn’t readily available. The Tigers should have the ability to establish the side a lot better with the DE’s, but there will be times a security in the alley must have the ability to make the play one on one. Clemson can not pay for the woeful attempts there like last period. Restricting the backyards after get in touch with will be a significant factor and also Clemson’s hope is that an older and also healthier group in the back can do just that.
Unique Groups: Clemson took a trip to Athens in 2002, when I was living there, as well as ought to have racked up a significant distress that evening if not for horrible unique teams play. The protection played fantastic as well as the violation had done sufficient against a stout UGA unit, yet nearly every horrible thing that could happen with Special Groups occurred and also the Tigers lost. I really feel a lot better about this phase going into this game than I have in a while.
Clemson returns two proficient kickers, including a very elderly in punter Will certainly Spiers, and also need to be poised to do in the kicking game. Returning has not been as solid in recent times, especially kickoff returns, but Clemson does have the sort of athletes to turn this around if the implementation can boost. Popular scape goat Danny Pearman is no much longer in the image, so I’m interested to see if we observe any type of immediate differences which possibly can be credited to that adjustment.
A big return or made kick or missed/blocked kick might most definitely be the difference in a game such as this where teams are so evenly matched. Both of these defenses are going to be very tough to go 75-80 backyards on, so area position will go to a premium. This game might quite possibly boil down to kicking the means 1983, 86, and also 87 did. Luckily Clemson has B.T. Potter who can possibly hit it from 55-60 yards out.
General: I have a little time out in regards to forecasts due to the fact that we aren’t really sure what the accessibility checklist for either team will wind up being on Saturday up until game day. We have actually heard reports and also UGA absolutely has their own potential concerns to fret about. I do feel quite highly that if neither team can truly run the ball a lot that Clemson is better outfitted to win.
UGA does have some brand-new offensive blood as well as may attempt to throw greater than what they have commonly done in the Smart period early in the video game. I still like the performance history Brent Venables has had when he has A) come off a negative protective efficiency and also B) has a seasoned device to work with. I need to anticipate the Tigers to be a whole lot more physical in the back seven than what we saw at times in 2020. Plainly the Tigers likely lose if that isn’t the situation. I’ll claim Clemson discovers a means many thanks to defense and Potter and also takes this 23-20.