Clemson Football Analysis: 5 Areas the Tigers must improve in 2018

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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 09: The Clemson Tigers offensive line prepares for a snap against the Auburn Tigers during the football game at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

1. Offensive Line Play

The No. 1 area that we need to see improvement from Clemson in 2018 is on the offensive line.

That group was completely outmatched, outclassed, and outplayed when they played Alabama last January.

That can’t happen again.

The Tigers need an offensive line that is capable of pushing the opposing defenders back off the ball consistently. I don’t know if you realized this, but there were a lot of times last season- not just against Alabama- where they didn’t do that consistently.

I remember watching the offensive line struggle against teams like Boston College, NC State (of course), Auburn, and others.

I know there are a lot of people who are “anti-Kelly Bryant,” but you certainly can’t blame him solely for the loss to the Crimson Tide when he was getting pounded the way in which he did that night.

Clemson must improve along the line of scrimmage in 2018. The Tigers certainly have the talent and potential to do so, but those guys have to step up and start playing with a different mentality.

Next: 5 Way-Too-Early Predictions for the 2018 Season

An offensive lineman should take pride in his job. If a defender gets to his quarterback, he should make it is his mission for that not to happen ever again. That means playing nasty. That means playing strong.

I didn’t see a whole lot of that last year and that needs to change this season.

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