Clemson Football: Jimbo Fisher previews the No. 2 Clemson Tigers

Texas A&M Coach Jimbo Fisher previewed the No. 2-ranked Clemson football team earlier this week in preparation for the match up Saturday.

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher met with the media on Monday to discuss the 59-7 thumping of Northwestern State and Saturday’s matchup with No. 2 Clemson (1-0) and head coach Dabo Swinney, a familiar opponent.

Fisher was 4-4 in head-to-head games versus Swinney at Florida State and lost the last three. But even with the recent three-game slide, he is familiar with the Clemson football program. So a reporter asked him, if he thought that familiarity gave him any advantage over the Tigers.

“Well, you know what they do and what they like to do and how they are going to compete,” he continued with a grin and chuckle. “The good news is, you know. The bad news is, you know. Because they do a good job.”

He might not have an advantage but the familiarity is there and unfortunately for him, he’s familiar with the nation’s best defensive line too.

“All of them were first or second team all-american last year on every team. They are dynamic. They can beat you with power, they beat you with speed, they beat you with experience, agility, knowledge. They are a well coached group, and it’s going to be a great challenge.”

In his last two games against defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ defense, the FSU offensive line allowed 11 quarterback sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Defensive linemen Christian Wilkins(1.5, 4), Dexter Lawrence(1,1), Austin Bryant(2.5, 2.5), Clelin Ferrell( 2, 3.5) and Albert Huggins(1,2) had eight of the 10 sacks and 13 of the 20 tackles for loss in those games. Lawrence did not play in last season’s 31-14 Tigers win.

Most of the conversations leading up to the game have been about the Clemson defense and the quarterbacks, but Fisher had a tight quarterback competition between sophomore Kellen Mond and redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel throughout camp at A&M(1-0).

Mond won the job and will start against Clemson, a school, he almost committed to in 2015. He admires former Clemson All-American quarterback Deshaun Watson, and he even models his game after the Houston Texans starter. Fisher is fine with that too.

More from Clemson Football

“I would be all for that……..because first of all, he’s(Deshaun) a quality young man, he’s intelligent, he studies the game, he’s a great leader,” Fisher said. “All of those are qualities of successful people. That would be a great person to study there’s no doubt about it.”

Fisher has nothing but positive things to say about Watson, a player he faced three times at FSU. On Saturday, he will get his second look at senior Kelly Bryant and a first look at freshman Trevor Lawrence.

To most, Bryant is the mobile quarterback and Lawrence, the pocket passer, but Fisher has a different assessment of both signal callers.

“Everybody says that Lawrence can throw the ball so well, which he does, but the guy can run. The guy’s an athlete. He’s not just a guy, you can say, we don’t have to worry about zone reads or quarterback runs,” he continued to make his case about Lawrence’s versatility. “This guy can run. I recruited the guy. I know. He’s legit on both sides.”

And what about Bryant, Saturday’s starter, who led Clemson to a 12-2 record last season.

“You’re talking about a guy who’s went to the playoffs and played in big games, won an ACC Championship. He can run and throw it too.” Fisher said.

Next. TV Guide for CFB Week 2. dark

According to recent weather forecasts, rain is expected in College Station, TX and it could effect the quarterback rotation and total playing time, because ball handling and ball security will be of the utmost importance in this game.

Saturday’s game is the first of a home-and-home series between Clemson and Texas A&M. They will play again in Death Valley on Sept. 7, 2019.

Home/Clemson Football