Clemson Football: 5 Storylines To Watch vs. Louisville Cardinals

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers and head coach Bobby Petrino of the Louisville Cardinals meet at mid-field after the Clemson Tigers victory at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 42-36. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Cayson Collins /

3. Lamar Jackson vs. the Clemson defense

Honestly, this is the matchup.

It’s Lamar Jackson, the reigning Hesiman Trophy winner, against the Clemson football defense.

The Tigers completely have completely shutdown both Kent State and Auburn, but the Louisville offense is another animal.

The Cardinals have several playmakers on the outside, but no consistency along the line of scrimmage.

For Clemson to disrupt the Louisville flow, they will need to be in the backfield often.

I think that’s exactly what you will see.

Lamar Jackson will still make some plays. He has a strong arm and is very elusive.

It’s not up to the Clemson defense to shutout Louisville, it’s their job to limit the big plays and make the Cardinals earn their yards.

If they do that, I think you’ll see Louisville have to settle for some field goals and, if you provide enough pressure, I think you’ll see Lamar Jackson begin to get frustrated.

Look back at what Houston did to the Cardinals last season.

That’s the key. Apply pressure and make him beat you.

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