Clemson Football vs. App State: Keys to the Game

Sep 27, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback MacKensie Alexander (2) and cornerback Garry Peters (26) celebrate after breaking up a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary needs to rise up.

Last week, the Clemson secondary was forced to play assignment ball with the triple-option, this week is a whole different ball game.

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Appalachian State is going to spread the field and try to pick the Tigers apart in the passing game. They have a very talented quarterback in Taylor Lamb and they are going to go fast and pass the ball. That being said, the Clemson secondary needs to be ready to go to work.

A play I keep thinking about in my mind is when T.J. Green got caught with his eyes in the backfield and the Wofford wide receiver hit another guy way down the field on a trick play. I don’t want the Tiger secondary to get fooled like that this week. Instead, what we want to see is a strong outing in which they lock down receivers and force Taylor Lamb to throw into tight windows. Louisville is going to throw the ball a lot next week, so Clemson’s secondary better come prepared this week.

Next: Early in the Ball Game