As we inch closer to fall camp, Rubbing The Rock will continue to bring you a preview of Clemson’s 2017 schedule. Here are the five most potent offenses the Tigers will face this season.
Early on in the 2017 season the Tigers are going to have to lean on their defense due to their inexperience at quarterback. Considering Clemson opens up the season with a tough five game stretch, Brent Venables’ talented defense will be tested right out of the gate.
The ACC is unique in the fact that it is considered neither an offensive or defensive conference. When you look around the country, most conferences have an overarching identity; the Big 12 is pass happy, with no defense; the SEC is full of stout defenses; the Big 10 features physical, pro-style rushing attacks; and the Pac 12 features multiple air raid offenses.
Playing in the ACC, Clemson can face wildly different offensive attacks from week-to-week. Virginia Tech and Louisville love to spread defenses out and play in space, while Pittsburgh looks to physical dominate opponents between the tackles.
2017 will be especially difficult for the Tigers due to the loss of Ben Boulware. Not only was Boulware the heart and soul of the defense, he was the brains too. Boulware was a film junkie with a rare football IQ.
Let’s take a look at some offenses who could give Clemson trouble in 2017.
5. Virginia Tech
Head coach, Justin Fuente completely transformed this Virginia Tech offense in his first year under the helm. Though the Hokies points per game didn’t jump up substantially in Fuente’s first season (35 ppg in 2016, 31 ppg in 2015), this offense was much more explosive.
In 2015 Virginia Tech ranked 74th in long scrimmage plays with only 59 plays that went for 20+ yards. This past season the Hokies ranked 14th in long scrimmage plays with 74 plays that went for 20+ yards.
Despite the fact that Fuente lost starting quarterback Jerrod Evans and star wide out, Isaiah Ford to the NFL, the Hokies offense should remain one of the best in the ACC. Fuente was able to orchestrate Tech’s offense a season ago with a first time starter in Evans. He should have no trouble doing the same this season.
Coming into 2017, this offense has more than enough talent at quarterback between Josh Jackson, Hendon Hooker and AJ Bush. As such, the Hokies should have no trouble putting up points.
Fuente is one of the brightest offensive minds in the country. Just a season ago, Virginia Tech put up 35 points on Brent Venables’ aggressive Clemson defense in the 2016 ACC Championship game.
4. South Carolina
I realize that the Tigers held the Gamecocks to seven points a season ago. However, that was an indictment of how talented Clemson was on defense a season ago. Let’s not forget that the Tigers also held an Urban Meyer led Ohio State team to a whopping zero points. Clemson was simply loaded on defense a season ago.
The Tigers could very well hold South Carolina to seven points again in 2017, however, that doesn’t change the fact that this Gamecocks offense will be much improved this season. It all starts with sophomore quarterback, Jake Bentley.
Bentley was impressive during the ladder half of South Carolina’s schedule, completing 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,420 yards and nine touchdowns. If it wasn’t for the Gamecock’s inability to protect Bentley, he would have thrown for many more touchdowns a season ago.
The Gamecocks have viable weapons in Deebo Samuel and Rico Dowdle and Bryan Edwards. Being as though both Dowdle and Edwards were freshman and Samuel just a sophomore in 2016, I expect them to improve significantly coming into 2017. There is nothing comparable to in-game reps.
Should the Gamecocks keep Bentley off of the ground, he will terrorize opposing defenses in 2017.
3. Louisville
The Cardinals offense features arguably the most explosive player in all of college football in Lamar Jackson. He alone was enough to get them to 3rd on this list, however, the Cards are not higher on this list due to problems along the offensive line.
It’s astonishing that Louisville was able to average 42.2 points per game in 2016, despite the fact that Jackson was running for his life majority of the time. Last season alone the Cardinals gave up a mind boggling, 47 sacks, add that to the 44 that they gave up during Jackson’s freshman campaign and you’ve got yourself a problem.
Louisville may have lost their top three receiving targets, in James Quick, Cole Hikutini and Jamari Staples, but, Jackson has the talent to cover that up. When Jackson has the time to survey the field he is lethal.
On the ground Jackson is lightning in a bottle, there hasn’t been a player like him since the great Michael Vick. Clemson defensive coordinator, Brent Venables will surely have his hands full with Jackson once again in 2017.
2. Florida State
Florida State has gobs of potential on the offensive side of the ball, however, I am not sold on the ‘Noles just yet. Their is no questioning the talent that is Deondre Francois, he will likely be one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season.
The Seminoles’ return two bonafide studs on the perimeter in Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate. Murray didn’t come on until late in the season, however, he capped the year off with a dominant 2 catch, 104 yard 2 TD, performance vs. Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Tate is a big bodied wide receiver capable of consistently winning 50/50 balls for this Florida State offense.
My problem with Florida State lies along the offensive line. As tough as Francois is, he takes far too many hits. The Seminoles’ gunslinger was hit 56 times in 2016, 32 of which were sacks.
Losing Dalvin Cook is also worrisome for the ‘Noles as he was their primary playmaker for the past two seasons. While Cam Akers appears to be special in his own right, he is a true freshman who will split carries with Jacques Patrick.
While I do believe this offense will be one of the best in the ACC in 2017, I don’t believe it is the best or most balance that Clemson will face this season.
1. Auburn
I expect Auburn to have one of the best offensive attacks in the country in 2017. Under Gus Malzahn the Tigers have always had a bruising rushing attack, but, they have lacked an able passer as of late. With Jarrett Stidhman on the plains, Auburn has secured one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
In Auburn’s two National Championship runs, they were able to balance out their explosive running game with play-action passes down the field. The Tigers have the receivers in place to stretch defensives vertically. Kyle Davis, Eli Stove and Darius Slayton have the makings of a special trio of wideouts. Nate Craig-Myers is a name to keep an eye on as well.
On the ground, Auburn has a modern day Jerome Bettis in Kamryn Pettway. At 6-foot, 240 pounds Pettway sets the tone for this Tigers offense by running through and around opposing defenders. Serving as the lightning to Pettway’s thunder is junior Kerryon Johnson. Johnson is more nimble and explosive than Pettway with the ball in his hands.
What separates Auburn from the other programs on this list is their offensive line. The Tigers return one of the most talented and experienced groups in the country, comprised of Deon Mix, Braden Smith, Austin Golson, Marquel Harrell, and Darius James.
Auburn’s solid offensive line, paired with their exceptional talent at the skill positions will be scary for opposing defenses in 2017.